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Michigan lost one linebacker commit in the 2021 class when Casey Phinney opted to stay East, flipping from the Wolverines to Boston College. But it might upgrade from a three-star to a high-level four-star, it appears.
2021 Jacksonville (FL) inside linebacker Branden Jennings committed to Florida State back in February, but as the Seminoles continue to struggle, even under a new coach in Mike Norvell, the more difficult it will be for them to retain top-flight commits. Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown and linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary have remained vigilant in wooing Jennings, so when he decommitted from FSU on Oct. 12, the prospects of the maize and blue landing him appeared to be quite high.
According to the recruiting experts at 247Sports, Michigan is the team to beat.
On Thursday, a run of 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions came in for the Wolverines, with a high confidence-level that Jennings will end up in a winged helmet. There are now eight predictions favoring the maize and blue (out of 10) with the holdouts still being the previous Florida State prognostications.
Every one of the predictions favoring Michigan has come in on Thursday morning.
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Jennings is expected to make his pledge on Oct. 16.
With 42 reported offers, Jennings is widely coveted, with the likes of Clemson, LSU, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Texas and USC having offered. He’s rated as the No. 81 player overall, regardless of position, according to the 247Sports Composite, and the No. 13 player in the state of Florida.
Michigan currently has 20 commitments in the 2021 class, but if Jennings joins the class, he’ll instantly be the Wolverines highest-rated defensive pledge in the class.
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