The Michigan Wolverines hit the reset button this offseason after head coach Jim Harbaugh signed his extension to remain with the program. However, the future of the program and its stability moving forward is going to depend on what comes next as opposed to simply putting pen to paper.
Even with a dark cloud of uncertainty hanging over Schembechler Hall, Michigan was still able to sign a 2021 recruiting class loaded with talent, especially at the top. One of the narratives over the last few years has been the lack of top-end players in each class. From that standpoint, Harbaugh and his staff were able to ink arguably their best class since 2017.
Michigan signed five players ranked in the top-100 of the 247Sports Composite rankings. Since the infamously underwhelming 2017 cycle, Michigan had only signed a trio of top-100 guys in safety Daxton Hill, defensive tackle Chris Hinton, and running back Zach Charbonnet.
The rest of the list since the Harbaugh era began includes Brian Cole, Rashan Gary, Ben Bredeson, Brandon Peters, David Long, Devin Asiasi, Michael Onwenu, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Aubrey Solomon, Cesar Ruiz, Luiji Vilain, Drew Singleton, and Ambry Thomas.
Here is a quick look at each player that they brought in for 2021 that fits this mold.
Five-star quarterback J.J. McCarthy
No. 23 overall prospect | No. 2 pro-style QB
Perhaps the biggest key to Michigan’s turnaround is Harbaugh finally finding his signature quarterback. McCarthy should factor into the battle for the starting job right away and checks all the boxes one would want in a college passer.
Four-star running back Donovan Edwards
No. 40 overall prospect | No. 3 RB
Edwards was recently elevated to five-star status in 247’s own rankings, so this was a massive get for Michigan in keeping him close to home. He should slide in seamlessly to Josh Gattis’ offense as both a runner and a receiver as a freshman and his workload figures to be notable in his first season on campus.
Four-star wide receiver Xavier Worthy
No. 75 overall prospect | No. 11 WR
Michigan had to fight off a push from Alabama to the very end before securing Worthy’s signature. Worthy adds more track speed to Michigan’s offense and he has drawn comparisons to players like DeSean Jackson. It might take some time for him develop physically, but Worthy is a true burner the likes of which Michigan has missed in its passing game.
Four-star offensive tackle Giovani El-Hadi
No. 85 overall prospect | No. 11 OT
El-Hadi is another local prospect that Michigan was able to keep home. He looks like a player that can slide between tackle and guard and should wind up being a fixture on this offensive line within a few seasons.
Four-star linebacker Junior Colson
No. 87 overall prospect | No. 5 OLB
Colson has the look of the next star linebacker on Michigan’s defense and they were able to pry him out of Tennessee to make it happen. He is a versatile and athletic prospect that might have a shot to make an impact early given the overhaul on defense.