Tuesday Recruiting Roundup: Potential DT flip on the horizon for Signing Day

It’s the day before the second and final signing day for the 2021 class. While this is just the opening day for players to sign their letters of intent if they didn’t back in December, most schools will wrap up their classes by the end of the week.

Michigan is still looking to add another defensive tackle to the class and is getting out the spatula to try and make a flip. We’ve got news on that front, plus some top guys in the 2022 class to cover in today’s Recruiting Roundup.

Michigan giving Colorado commit a lot to think about

After landing 2021 four-star George Rooks last week, the staff isn’t done at defensive tackle. Michigan has set its sights on Texas three-star Ikechukwu Iwunnah, who spoke with The Michigan Insider’s Josh Newkirk about how the Wolverines’ offer is making him re-think his commitment to Colorado ($).

“I thought I was done, for real. I was done. I just committed (to Colorado). I was done and then the offer came through and opened more opportunities,” Iwunnah said. “Now I have to make another big decision for my life. Me and my family have a lot to think about.”

Since this offer came so recently, Iwunnah said he still wants to learn more about Michigan before deciding for good.

“I just want to learn more about the lifestyle of living in Michigan,” said Iwunnah. “I just want to see how it is. How it’s going to affect me. Because I’m from Texas. I want to see how close they will be with me. I want to learn more about living there.”

Iwunnah said he wasn’t sure if he’s going to sign on Wednesday or take more time before announcing his decision. For what it’s worth, Newkirk said he would be putting in a crystal ball for Iwunnah to flip to Michigan.

Bellamy a huge factor for in-state five-star

Michigan revamped its staff this offseason with young coaches more focused on recruiting. Hiring former West Bloomfield head coach Ron Bellamy is expected to go a long way in shoring up in-state recruiting. The recruitment he is hoping to impact the most is five-star cornerback Will Johnson, and according to TMI’s Sam Webb, it’s already working ($).

“I do think it was a big pick up for them on the recruiting side for sure. (It will) help get top guys from Michigan that he’ll be able to connect with more,” Johnson said.

Johnson relayed what the new coaching staff’s message to him has been.

“We’ve talked, and mainly the new coaching staff’s thing for me is that I’m their no. 1 priority,” said Johnson. “They need me to help bring the program up, or that doesn’t happen. I can be the leader of the class.”

Hiring both Maurice Linguist and Ron Bellamy have made Johnson stop and consider Michigan in a new light. After Ohio State gained some momentum recently during Michigan’s coaching turnover, it looks like the new coaches have done enough to turn the tides back in their favor.

Moore targeting Indiana four-star tackle

After Sherrone Moore replaced Ed Warinner as offensive line coach, he’s taken no time to start establishing who his top targets at the position are. Per an interview with TMI’s Brice Marich, Indiana 2022 four-star Kiyaunta Goodwin said he is the staff’s biggest priority ($).

“Yes, I talked to coach Moore and coach Harbaugh this week. It went great,” said Goodwin. “They told me I was the top tackle on their board.

Goodwin’s relationship with Michigan goes back a ways, as he met the Wolverines’ head man a while ago.

“I met coach Harbaugh when I was in eighth grade, so he remembered me. It was good to know I’m a priority for them.”

Goodwin will be a tough battle to win, as Ohio State is also targeting him near the top of their board. They hold all three crystal ball predictions right now.

Michigan a big offer for top-100 safety

Linguist and George Helow have been handing out offers left and right on the trail, and maybe no prospect has responded as positively as Texas 2022 four-star safety Chace Biddle. Biddle talked with TMI’s Marich about his reaction ($).

“Coach Mo had texted me on Twitter and when he told me the news I was so excited that I celebrated for about four minutes,” Biddle said. “I’m a big fan of Michigan so when he said that I was thinking I got to work even harder now. (The Michigan offer means) the world to me.”

After getting that offer, Biddle wasted no words in saying where Michigan stood with him now.

“Definitely top five,” Biddle stated.

As expected of a top 100 player, Biddle has offers from a slew of schools across the country, including Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, LSU, Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M and others. Texas has the lone prediction for Biddle right now.

That’s it for this week’s edition of the Michigan Recruiting Roundup! Stay tuned this week for more recruiting coverage as Michigan wraps up their class on National Signing Day.