In a surprise, Michigan football loses defender in flip to Pac-12 school

In a signing day surprise, Michigan football loses one of its highly coveted defenders.

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It was rumored, but certainly not expected. And like that, Michigan football lost its second defensive commitment of the recruiting cycle on national signing day.

Poised to become something of a fan favorite, Scottsdale (AZ) Saguaro defensive end Quintin Somerville was planning to come to Michigan despite his best friend being committed to Ohio State. It would have been a fun storyline, but with the uncertainty in Ann Arbor, it seems that Somerville felt his best option was to stay out west.

On Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period, he announced that he’s flipping to UCLA and will sign with the Bruins.

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Speaking with 247Sports’ Blair Angulo, the uncertainty of the Michigan coaching staff was the primary factor driving his decision to go elsewhere:

“Coach Shaun Nua has been the reason I committed to Michigan in the first place, his presence in my recruitment has been big and I consider him a family member now, just with how he treats me and my family,” Somerville told 247Sports. “He was the coach I know would help me get comfortable at Michigan and, with the staff future up in the air there, it was tough making the decision knowing that he might not be in Ann Arbor, that was one of the hardest things.”

Michigan has two defensive end commits signed at this juncture in TJ Guy and Kechaun Bennett.

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