The Wolverines received an addition to its 2021 class, as four-star defensive lineman George Rooks officially joined the fold on Wednesday.
Committed...!!! #GoBlue 〽️ pic.twitter.com/H6lzw2NaRC
— George Rooks (@georgerooks55) January 27, 2021
The 6-foot-4, 260-pounder from Jersey City, New Jersey was also considering Penn State, Boston College, Syracuse and others throughout his recruitment.
Rooks has had one of the most quiet recruitments for any Wolverine signee in the 2021 class. Michigan offered Rooks all the way back in 2018 and got him to visit that same year. He also took a self-guided trip in 2020.
Rooks didn’t do many interviews, so it was difficult to gauge where his interest level was with the schools he was considering. Syracuse could’ve been a realistic option, as his father played for the Orange back in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. He also had a tight bond with both staffs at Penn State and Boston College, and visited each campus at least once.
But Michigan had a lot of appeal as well. His sister played for the women’s basketball team a few years ago as a graduate transfer. He has been on campus many times because of that, so that familiarity, as well as the blend of academics and athletics appears to have played a role in this recruitment.
247Sports’ Brian Dohn compares Rooks to former NFL player Rodney Gunter.
Wide-shouldered frame and lean. Carries 260 pounds like 240. Can play 3-technique in 4-3 or defensive end in 3-4. Natural athlete. Fires off low. Gets upfield quickly. Has refined swim move. Upper body flexibility allows him to turn and get though gaps. Can re-direct down line of scrimmage. Able to stack and disengage to make tackle. Strong work ethic. Being consistent with his burst at the snap is a needed. Has to work on backside pursuit. Adding upper body strength important. Sometimes gets upright too quickly. Has to work on staying low against run. Multi-year starter at Top 20 program.
He is the fourth defensive lineman in this class, along with four-star Kechaun Bennett, three-star TJ Guy and three-star Dominick Giudice. Michigan’s team ranking moved up to No. 11 with Rooks’ commitment.
Rooks is the No. 4 player in New Jersey, No. 18 defensive tackle and No. 259 overall player on the composite.
Check out senior year highlights of Rooks’ below.