Michigan football OL selects transfer destination

Best of luck to him.

Big things were expected for an in-state product that never quite materialized.

A four-star offensive lineman for Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech, Raheem Anderson II was expected to be either the center of the future or a productive offensive guard. However, the Wolverines kept taking centers in the transfer portal and the battle this offseason was between fellow 2021 classmates Greg Crippen and converted defensive lineman Dominick Giudice.

Anderson was one of four Michigan offensive linemen who decided to depart via the transfer portal (Giudice ended up at Missouri, while Andrew Gentry and Tristan Bounds are still weighing their options). He’s the second to make a decision as he’s committed to Western Michigan.

The Wolverines are seeking a few options in the portal to fill the void. They’ve already gotten a commitment from Cal Poly OL Brady Norton, have hosted Northwestern guard Josh Thompson and are expected to host Washington State tackle Fa’alili Fa’amoe on Sunday.

Michigan football offensive lineman entering transfer portal

Best of luck to him. #GoBlue

It was a big win for Michigan football when it managed to reel in an in-state four-star who was thought to be the center of the future. However, it just hasn’t worked out for Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech interior offensive lineman Raheem Anderson.

The battle was supposed to be between Anderson and Greg Crippen, but then the Wolverines brought in a bevy of transfers — Olu Oluwatimi and Drake Nugent — before the battle became between Crippen and converted defensive lineman Dominick Giudice.

On Wednesday, Anderson announced that he would be heading elsewhere to continue his career as he was entering the transfer portal.

 

Anderson was the player who carried the Michigan flag from the north end zone at Ohio Stadium to the Block O at midfield on Saturday.

He played 98 snaps in 2024, two in 2023, 57 in 2022, and 11 in his freshman season of 2021. He will have one year of eligibility remaining at his school of choice.

Roundup: Meet Michigan football’s 2021 recruiting class

A full roundup of recruiting evaluations, facts, stats, film and everything else covering Michigan football’s signed 2021 class.

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It wasn’t a perfect signing day for Michigan football, as there were a few unhappy surprises, and a big great one — as well as a couple of smaller ones — so it was mostly good for the Wolverines. It took a minute for the letters of intent to start rolling in, but once they did, they came in with regularity.

We scoured the main sites for breakdowns and intel on all of Michigan football’s newest members, including the new bios from the program itself. Here’s everything you need to know about Michigan football’s 2021 recruiting class, in order of their signing.

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Dominick Giudice

From MGoBlue.com:

Prep
• Attended Mater Dei High School (2021) coached by Dino Mangiero
• Helped Mater Dei finish as the state runner-up after reaching the championship game as a junior
• Played all along the defensive line and offensive tackle in high school
• Selected to the Mater Dei Prep All-Decade Team (2010-19) on defense

Key Statistics
• Credited with 46 tackles, seven tackles for loss, six sacks and 42 quarterback pressures as a senior
• Totaled 43 tackles for loss and 24 sacks as a junior – total was No. 1 in New Jersey and ranked 11th nationally

Honors and Rankings
• Earned a 247Sports Composite ranking of three stars; the No. 1,958 overall player nationally, the No. 100 weakside defensive end and the No. 42 player in the state of New Jersey
• Three-star prospect according to 247Sports; the No. 111 defensive end nationally and the No. 43 player in the state of New Jersey
• Rated as a three-star prospect by ESPN, the No. 179 defensive end and the No. 35 player in the state of New Jersey
• Rivals.com two-star prospect
• First team All-New Jersey Defensive pick by USA Today as a senior
• Named the division’s Co-Defensive Player of the Year as a senior; first team defense All-Division selection
• Earned Jersey Sports Zone All-Zone Team as a junior and senior

Personal
• Dominick Giudice was born Sept. 12, 2002
• Son of Anthony and Maryann Giudice

The Wolverine’s EJ Holland:

He plays with a relentless motor and has shown improvement with the way he uses his hands. Giudice doesn’t bend all that well, and a clear lack of athleticism prevents him from going higher in my ranking. He also needs to work on his get off. Giudice fits the cliché billing as a lunch pail recruit with a chip on his shoulder. Overall, you’re getting a big, strong, mean kid that lacks athleticism but will be the hardest worker in the room.

Maize N Brew:

Giudice has said that the coaches plan to play him at the anchor position, which I agree matches his skillset the best right now. He doesn’t have the athleticism to be a pure pass rusher on the weakside, but can definitely take on tight ends and clog up running lanes. However, I think that eventually he’ll pack on 20 or 30 more pounds and slide inside to be a three-tech, where his pass rush skills will be more valuable.

Wolverine Digest:

2021 Outlook: Giudice is an underrated recruit, but does have some upside. At 6-4, 250 pounds, he has the type of frame and athletic ability that will serve him well at the defensive end position. He’s also been described as a kid who is moving fast at all times, making it difficult for offensive lineman to keep him in check. It’s unlikely that Guidice will become an impact player in year one, but the upside is definitely there for him to become one at some point.

Next: Michigan’s tight end of the future

National Signing Day: Michigan Wolverines sign Raheem Anderson

The Detroit (MI) Cass Tech center becomes the latest Technician to sign with Michigan football.

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Ratings

Stars Overall Position State
247Sports 4 4 11
Rivals 4 166 2 7
ESPN 4 242 3 6
247Sports Composite 4 210 3 7

Vitals

Hometown Detroit (MI) Cass Tech
Projected Position Offensive Center
Height 6-foot-3
Weight 306-pounds

Recruitment

Anderson had a litany of big-time offers, including Georgia, Nebraska, Kentucky and Michigan State. However, in a relatively quiet, non-controversial recruitment, he chose the Wolverines on April 12, 2020.

Readiness Level

Already has prototypical size for an offensive lineman, and is a smart, heady player. With Michigan having questions at center, he could be a day one contributor.

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Film

Stories

Reactions to Anderson’s Michigan commitment

Anderson’s commitment story

Michigan makes Anderson’s Top 8

Anderson visits for Michigan vs. SMU game (2018)

Fab Four: Selecting Michigan football’s Mount Rushmore of all-time recruits

Twitter reactions to Raheem Anderson’s commitment to Michigan

Several notable recruits and others reacted to the Detroit (MI) Cass Tech star’s commitment to the maize and blue.

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Easter Sunday was a good one for the maize and blue, as the Wolverines earned a commitment from 2021 Detroit (MI) Cass Tech four-star center Raheem Anderson, Michigan’s third four-star offensive line commit in the class.

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While many of the Ann Arbor contingent are assuredly busy partaking in family Easter festivities in quarantine, Anderson’s pledge earned the attention of a handful of Michigan targets, current commits, recent signees and his primary recruiter to Michigan.

WolverinesWire compiles some of the notable reactions to Anderson’s commitment below.

2021 Michigan target Rayshaun Benny

2021 Michigan commit Greg Crippen

2021 Michigan target Andrel Anthony

Michigan CB Andre Seldon

Anderson’s primary recruiter, Michigan TE coach Sherrone Moore

2021 Michigan commit J.J. McCarthy

Michigan S Makari Paige

2021 Michigan commit Giovanni El-Hadi

Detroit (MI) Cass Tech 4-star OL commits to Michigan

The Wolverines snag their first commitment from Detroit (MI) Cass Tech since 2017.

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While the Wolverines got some bad news out of an in-state powerhouse on Friday, they got a little bit of redemption on Sunday.

It was earlier this week when 2021 Detroit (MI) Cass Tech defensive twins Kobe and Kalen King pledged to Penn State over Michigan and Wisconsin, but the maize and blue looked to be in good shape five days ago when Technicians four-star center Raheem Anderson dropped his Top 11.

But it only took a few days for him to realize that Michigan is home.

Anderson took to Twitter on Sunday afternoon, announcing that he’s pledging to be a Wolverine, marking Michigan’s eighth commitment of the 2021 class.

The 6-foot-3, 298-pound center is rated No. 211 overall by the 247Sports Composite and is the nation’s third-best center and No. 7 player in the state of Michigan.

Now the Wolverines have three offensive linemen committed, all four-stars, with the first commitment of 2021 being in-state tackle Giovanni El-Hadi, whereas IMG Academy’s Greg Crippen flipped from Notre Dame in March.

Anderson is the first commitment from Detroit (MI) Cass Tech since 2017, when Donovan Peoples-Jones and Jaylen Kelly-Powell joined the maize and blue.

Watch Anderson’s film below:

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In-state 4-star center puts Michigan in top group

The four-star center puts Michigan in his top group.

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Despite being the No. 211 overall prospect according to the 247Sports Composite, there hasn’t been a lot of talk about 2021 Detroit (MI) Cass Tech OL Raheem Anderson.

One of several prospects from the powerhouse high school that Michigan is targeting, the Wolverines have been recruiting the interior offensive lineman at center and have been for quite some time. Along with defensive brothers Kalen and Kobe King, the maize and blue have been in good shape with Anderson, and have a 60% 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction at the moment to earn his signature come signing day.

In fact, Michigan is boding so well for the esteemed in-state four-star that it’s made his Top 11, as he released on Twitter on Tuesday.

Fellow in-state program MSU also makes the list, as do Big Ten schools Nebraska and Purdue. But the SEC is looming large, with Georgia, LSU, Mizzou, Arkansas and Kentucky also making the cut along with ACC programs Pitt and Louisville.

Watch his junior year highlights:

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4-star center Raheem Anderson lists Michigan State Football in top-11

Cass Tech 4-star center Raheem Anderson has MSU in his top-11 for recruiting.

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For those looking for some positive news on the Michigan State Football recruiting front, here is a positive development for you. 2021 4-star center Raheem Anderson II out of Cass Technical in Detroit, Michigan has listed MSU in his top-11 list of schools for his recruiting process.

Anderson is the No. 3 center in the country according to the 247sports composite rankings and they have him as the No. 7 ranked player in the state of Michigan. They currently have him projected to go to Michigan with a 60% chance.

Here is Anderson’s full top-11:

  • Michigan
  • Michigan State
  • Nebraska
  • Kentucky
  • Missouri
  • Pittsburgh
  • Purdue
  • Missouri
  • Georgia
  • Arkansas
  • Louisville
  • LSU

MSU head coach Mel Tucker had an offer out to Anderson back when he was at Colorado and will look to capitalize on that relationship.

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