[jwplayer 0rr0R83q-XNcErKyb]
Most agree that Michigan football managed to sign a pretty stellar class on early signing day last week.
Most.
Rivals says that the Wolverines have the No. 11 class in 2021. 247Sports is just behind, saying the maize and blue reeled in the No. 12 class. ESPN, however — isn’t too high on what Michigan football managed to do this recruiting cycle.
Now, the class isn’t necessarily complete, so there’s room for growth with some big targets still on the board. But ESPN gave Michigan a No. 17 ranking, praising the class while also being something of an outlier compared to the other recruiting services.
17. Michigan Wolverines
ESPN 300 commits: 9 | Previous ranking: 17 | Big Ten rank: 3 of 14
Top offensive commit: QB J.J. McCarthy (No. 23) Top defensive commit: OLB Junior Colson (No. 142)
The Wolverines haven’t finished outside the top 20 in the class rankings since 2015, and this year is expected to continue the streak. Jim Harbaugh landed his quarterback early when ESPN 300 J.J. McCarthy committed in May 2019. A trio of ESPN 300 OLs — OT Giovanni El-Hadi, C Raheem Anderson II and OG Greg Crippen — will provide pass protection. Keeping ESPN 300 RB Donovan Edwards home on signing day was an absolute must. The Wolverines added legitimate home-run-threat speed in ESPN 300 WR Xavier Worthy out of California. ESPN 300 OLBs Junior Colson, an athletic and versatile defender, and Jaydon Hood were huge wins out of Tennessee and Florida, respectively. Three-star DEs T.J. Guy and Dominick Giudice add more quality depth to the defensive line. Four-star Kechaun Bennett could play DE or OLB in Ann Arbor. Three-star S Rod Moore out of Ohio and three-star OLB Tyler McLaurin from Illinois have playmaking abilities.
[lawrence-related id=31982,31892,31890]
Again, ESPN is the outlier and the class isn’t done. But it seems a little crazy that ‘the worldwide leader’ isn’t giving nearly the onus to the Wolverines as the two dedicated recruiting sites.
[listicle id=31728]