Michigan Football: How 4-star Makari Paige could fit with Wolverines

Michigan football has gained some momentum with four-star safety Makari Paige in recent weeks and it looks like he is leaning towards the Wolverines.

Over the last month, Michigan football has been on a recruiting tear and as the Wolverines keep gaining momentum with another four-star prospect, it looks like that run will continue.

If you count the commitment of Gaige Garcia, who is being given a wrestling scholarship, Michigan football has added 13 players since June 23rd and it seems like they are closing in on No. 14.

That player is Makari Paige, the fourth-ranked player in the state of Michigan and four-star safety, who comes out of West Bloomfield. Nationally, he’s ranked 19th at his position and 244th overall according to the 247 composite rankings.

Paige recently listed Michigan among his top seven as well as Penn State, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Kentucky, Purdue and Michigan State. However, following a visit to Penn State in June, it looked like the Nittany Lions were gaining favor.

This picture of Paige and Jordan Morant had to cause Michigan fans some concern because Morant was also a top target at the time. A little more than a week later, Morant was committed to UM and since then, the Wolverines have been gaining momentum.

One reason for that is the fact that Morant and other key recruits such as A.J. Henning have been pushing for Paige to join them in Ann Arbor.

“Cornell, Jordan Morant, A.J. [Henning], they all come at me hard and Andre of course,” Paige told The Michigan Insider ($). “I like the school and players.”

Henning also visited Penn State that same weekend as Paige and Morant did. He committed to Michigan football June 26, just days after Morant. Now, in July, the Wolverines are receiving a bunch of crystal balls in regards to Paige and now hold eight of his 10 projections.

Five of those predictions came on Wednesday alone, including the crystal ball of Sam Webb, who doesn’t tend to give his out lightly.

As Webb details here, Paige’s recruitment has taken some twists and turns over the last month. Yet, a recent visit allowed him more time with safeties coach Chris Partridge, which according to Paige’s high school coach, was important: Here is what coach Ron Bellamy told Webb ($):

"“I saw him engaged with Coach Partridge more than I had ever seen him.  think that was his first time working out. I don’t think he’s worked out for many coaches.  That might have been his first time ever camping.  So, watching him work with Coach Partridge… I think that was helpful for him.”"

The fact that teammate Cornell Wheeler is also committed to Michigan doesn’t hurt, nor does the fact that his high school runs a defensive system that is similar to what Don Browns runs. Most importantly, Bellamy told Webb Paige would decide in Late July.

“End of July,” Bellamy said about the timeline according to Webb ($). “Sometime in July.”

If they get Paige, the Wolverines would be getting another versatile athlete to add to their secondary in the 6-foot-2, 183-pound safety. In addition to size, he offers speed and length. Paige isn’t afraid to tackle and projects as more of an in-the-box safety.

When you watch Paige on film, it’s hard not to get excited about what he could bring to Don Brown’s defense. For one, he offers tremendous versatility. In the 10-minute highlight posted above, you will see Paige playing free safety, strong safety, nickel, corner and outside linebacker.

While he can play centerfield, he seems more comfortable near the line of scrimmage. You don’t see him taking on a bunch of offensive lineman or anything like that, yet he doesn’t shy away from contact and shows a nice ability to tackle in space.

If he added enough weight, it’s possible that he could even be a viper. He has the coverage skills and showed some ability to blitz off the edge. He could also fit as a traditional box safety or see time as a nickel. Personally, I love his ability to line up in the slot and cover.

The other thing that stands out about Paige is how often he’s around the football. You see him making interceptions over the top, undercutting routes to pick off passes and just having a nose for the ball. He even blocks a punt in one clip.

The point is, even though Michigan football has added Morant and will likely get a commitment from four-star safety RJ Moten, there is a spot for Paige in this class and with his versatility and athleticism, he will be an ideal fit on the Wolverines defense.