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We have a packed Michigan Recruiting Roundup for you guys today, with notable updates on some of the top targets still available, as well as a sleeper that is rising up the board. Let’s jump right into the latest news on Michigan football’s recruiting efforts.
X’s and O’s talk appeals to top RB target
In-state 2021 four-star Donovan Edwards views himself as a complete running back who wants the chance to catch passes in the offense of the school he chooses. Per The Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb, Josh Gattis and Jay Harbaugh “knocked it out of the park” on a recent Zoom call laying out what Edwards’ role would be in their offense ($).
Gattis showed Edwards clips of Giles Jackson and Mike Sainristil as examples of the types of routes he would run. The coaches also plan on having Edwards split outside, lining up as a wide receiver in some sets, which really resonated, as “Edwards’ excitement was visible.”
Edwards would also be excited to be complemented by the other running backs on Michigan’s roster.
“I welcome playing with Blake Corum,” said Edwards. “I think we’d be the best duo in America.”
Despite this excitement, don’t expect Edwards to speed up his timeline anytime soon. He still wants to take his official visits in the fall if he is able and probably won’t make a decision until November or December.
Michigan still in the running for elite EDGE prospect
With Michigan’s linebacker and defensive end class all but sewn up at this point of the cycle, the coaches have been searching for the cherry on top in 2021 four-star edge rusher Dallas Turner. Battling Georgia and Alabama for the South Florida native is an uphill struggle, but Turner’s father laid out the case as to why they are still considering Michigan highly in an interview with TMI’s Webb ($).
One strong factor is the family’s relationship with linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary.
“He has been in constant communication with us — text messages, phone calls, Zoom time. And he’s a south Florida guy. He’s from Tampa, so there’s definitely some familiarity there,” Turner’s father said. “But he has also been very personable, which I like because I think once you send your child off there has to be a relationship outside of the game. I can’t say that there’s been any holes in his recruitment of Dallas. I think they’ve bonded to the degree where they’re pretty personable with one another.”
As a Northwestern graduate, Mr. Turner also values a strong education, an area in which Michigan stands out compared to the other finalists.
“I understand Michigan,” Mr. Turner said. “I actually attended and graduated from Northwestern. So I understand the academics at the school. In our family we have a strong emphasis on that, and Michigan is one of the more unique programs where it provides that high level of academia and high level of football.
Turner is looking to make a decision sometime in July, which means he will not be able to visit any of his top schools before announcing his commitment. This probably means Michigan will continue to pursue Turner even if he doesn’t choose the Wolverines, as they are doing with a lot of other prospects.
Three-star OT includes Michigan in his top five
After landing 2021 three-star Tristan Bounds last week, Michigan is starting to fill up at the offensive line. But they are still pursuing a few prospects in the class, including California three-star Thomas Cole. Cole recently narrowed his list down to five schools and spoke with 247Sports’ Greg Biggins about each finalist ($).
Michigan is the only school not in the Pac-12 to make the list, joining Arizona, Cal, Oregon State and UCLA.
About Michigan, Cole said, “I have really enjoyed connecting with coach (Ed) Warinner. It doesn’t get any better than the Big House and I really want to try and get out there for a visit.”
There is no set timeline for Cole’s decision, but he would like to visit Arizona and Michigan before deciding since he has never been to those two schools. It remains to be seen if Michigan will have room for Cole when he is ready to commit, but if they wanted to push I think he would be willing to leave the West Coast for U-M.
California three-star rising up the CB board
Another 2021 prospect from California Michigan is recruiting is three-star cornerback Dyson McCutcheon. With four-star Omarion Cooper recently committing to Florida State, Michigan’s cornerback board has to keep shifting, and McCutcheon has been identified as a target rising up the board, according to TMI’s Steve Lorenz ($).
“I am talking a lot with coach Zordich and (defensive analyst) Staab,” McCutcheon said. “Michigan is a place I hope to visit at some point. I like the way their facilities look.”
Other schools McCutcheon is considering heavily include Washington, Notre Dame, Cal and Oregon State. McCutcheon stated he would “really like to take visits before committing, but the quarantine has me possibly speeding things up a bit.”
Michigan will probably need to land a visit from McCutcheon to have a shot in pulling him from across the country. Washington is the crystal ball leader right now.