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Rayshaun Benny knows his college decision won’t be easy.
The Oak Park (Mich.) 2021 four-star offensive tackle has offers from 33 programs. Michigan is one school in the dogfight for the nation’s 175th-best prospect.
Benny was at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor for the basketball game between No. 5 Michigan and No. 10 Oregon. The football prospect watched closely as the Wolverines were knocked off, 71-70, in overtime.
But what mattered most to Benny was his opportunity to extend his relationship with the coaching staff.
“My connection with Michigan is good,” Benny said to WolverinesWire. “We are always in contact.”
Along with his trip to Michigan, Benny has recently checked out Kentucky (Nov. 9) and Michigan State (Nov. 30). He most recently went to see the Wolverines for the Aug. 31 season-opening 40-21 victory over Middle Tennessee State.
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Before Benny is willing to make a college decision, he wants to visit Ohio State, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Kentucky and Louisville.
Regardless of how those visits go, Michigan has already secured its spot for the 6-foot-5, 275-pound in-state lineman.
“Michigan is toward the top of my list,” Benny said. “It seems like they would be in it at the end. They are just heavy in my recruitment with staying in touch with me.”
Other schools near the top are Ohio State, Penn State, Kentucky, Nebraska, Louisville, Tennessee, Colorado and a few others.
Benny said he will “definitely” commit during his senior year.
The 2021 prospect is ranked No. 175 in the nation, No. 24 at offensive tackle and No. 6 in the state, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Only Belleville four-star defensive tackle Damon Payne, Clarkston four-star offensive tackle Rocco Spindler, West Bloomfield four-star running back Donovan Edwards, Clarkston four-star offensive tackle Garrett Dellinger and Stevenson four-star offensive tackle Giovanni El-Hadi (Michigan commit) are ranked higher than Benny in The Mitten State.
Michigan does not have any players from Oak Park on its roster.