Welcome in to this week’s Tuesday Michigan Recruiting Roundup! Sadly, instead of covering what was likely to be a huge recruiting weekend like the end of June has been for the last two cycles, we’re entering month four without visits by prospects.
Still, two priority in-state targets are nearing decisions, which could make for an eventful summer. We’ve got all that information and more in the roundup, so let’s jump right in!
Timeline change for Donovan Edwards a possibility
Throughout his recruitment, 2021 top 50 running back Donovan Edwards has stated he wants to take his official visits before making a decision. However, The Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb reported a couple reasons may be causing Edwards to change his mind and commit earlier than expected ($).
Edwards “remains steadfast” in wanting to take visits to his top schools, but recognizes they may not allow him as full an experience as usual because of the pandemic. He could commit to a school and still take visits elsewhere when they are allowed, but Webb states he can’t “reconcile the idea of being committed while still visiting other schools.”
This makes sense because of his main reason for speeding up his timeline. Edwards wants to help recruit his peers to close out the class of whatever school he chooses. Edwards has stated before he wants to play in a class full of studs and wants to do his part. Committing earlier will help him attract more guys, and being committed to a school and then flipping wouldn’t help his cause.
Despite these reports, I still think it’s unlikely Edwards commits before the end of summer. The only way I could see that happening is if recruiting visits are canceled during the season. If that were to happen, I think Michigan would be the easy choice. Webb agrees and says he believes “Michigan has moved into sole possession of the lead.”
This will be an exciting recruitment, good or bad, to follow in the coming months.
Michigan still pushing for four-star OT
2021 Clarkston four-star tackle Garrett Dellinger is set to make his college decision tomorrow. Even though his recruitment is scheduled to end soon, nothing has been decided for good as of this writing. TMI’s Brice Marich reports Michigan has been in heavy contact and still believes it has a shot to swing the race in its direction ($).
Ed Warinner has had three Zoom calls with Dellinger in the last week, which certainly indicates he is still considering the Wolverines heavily. I would expect him to take one or two out of courtesy to Warinner if he had already made up his mind, but remaining in this much contact is a good sign.
However, it still looks like LSU is still the team to beat, and none of the crystal balls have been moved off the Tigers. If Dellinger does go ahead and pick LSU tomorrow, Marich states Michigan will continue to recruit the top 100 tackle.
2022 four-star CB excited over Michigan offer
The Wolverines have done pretty well in pulling blue-chip talent from California under Jim Harbaugh, and they’re looking to do so again with four-star cornerback Tayvion Beasley in 2022. TMI’s Marich caught up with Beasley to recap what he felt in receiving an offer from Michigan ($).
“They called me to the football office and that’s when I was told,” Beasley said. “I got super happy. As soon as I went out the office, I called my mom and told her. I’m thankful for the offer and that they can trust giving me an offer.”
Beasley said his mom “was really happy for me and I also told her who offered me and she was just congratulating me.”
This was the first offer not from out west for Beasley, who also holds offers from Arizona State, Oregon, USC and BYU. Playing for powerhouse St. John Bosco, he will have the opportunity to earn plenty more as his career progresses.
Sophomore IMG transfer looking for Michigan offer
Michigan fans have been looking for a recruiting impact at IMG Academy after five-star quarterback J.J. McCarthy transferred there this offseason. One player whose interest in Michigan is rising is 2022 four-star defensive tackle Dominick James, who spoke with TMI’s Marich about what he thinks about the school ($).
“I’m not counting no one out right now, but I like their strong fan base (at Michigan),” James said.
Although James just transferred to IMG, Michigan has plenty of familiarity with his old school, Prattville (AL). Harbaugh landed Kingston Davis, Keith Washington and Dytarious Johnson from the school during his satellite camp days, although the latter didn’t qualify academically.
While Michigan hasn’t offered James yet, he said “it would mean a lot” if it were to extend one to him. In the meantime, schools like Auburn, Florida State, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Texas A&M and USC have jumped in the ring.
That concludes this edition of the Michigan Recruiting Roundup! Come back again soon for your fill of Michigan recruiting news and updates.