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When Michigan began recruiting Highland Springs (Va.) 2021 four-star defensive end Kelvin Gilliam, safeties coach Chris Partridge was his primary recruiter.
“Coach Partridge was my guy,” Gilliam said.
Partridge is no longer with the Wolverines, as he accepted a co-defensive coordinator job at Ole Miss just after New Years Day.
But that hasn’t changed Gilliam’s interest level in Michigan, led by coach Jim Harbaugh.
“I’m still very interested,” Gilliam said. “I talked to coach Jay and Jim Harbaugh, and I’ve been frequently talking to the director of recruiting (Matt Dudek).”
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound defensive lineman has offers from 20 schools, including Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina, NC State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Temple and three schools in his home state – Virginia, Virginia Tech and West Virginia.
Despite being “very interested” in Michigan, Gilliam isn’t ready to create a top list of programs.
“I’m still expanding my horizons,” he said.
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Gilliam said he will travel to Ann Arbor on Feb. 1 for an unofficial visit.
Michigan’s basketball team plays a home game at 4:30 p.m. that day against Rutgers, and the four-star football recruit will be in attendance.
“I’m looking forward to connecting with the coaches and getting a feeling of the environment and place there,” Gilliam said.
He also has a visit scheduled for Jan. 18 to Penn State.
Gilliam is ranked No. 184 in the country, No. 12 at weak-side defensive end and No. 5 in Virginia, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Contact/Follow @WolverinesWire/ @EvanPetzold