Michigan Football is making push for 5-star DT in 2021
Michigan football needs more big-time talent on the defensive line and that’s exactly what the Wolverines are looking to add with one 5-star DT from 2021.
Few things can shake up recruiting more than a coaching change and when it comes to five-star defensive tackle T.J. Tuimoloau, Michigan football could benefit from Washington head coach Chris Peterson deciding to step away.
Tuimoloau is a truly elite prospect. The defensive tackle from Sammamish, WA is the No. 4 overall recruit in the 247 composite rankings and the No. 1 defensive tackle. He’s 6-foot-4, nearly 280 pounds and athletic enough to play college basketball according to his 247 scouting profile, which projects him to someday be a top-10 NFL draft pick.
As we saw against teams like Ohio State, Alabama and Wisconsin, Michigan football could really use a player like Tuimoloau, who can dominate against the run and apply pressure on the quarterback.
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Michigan had already offered him a scholarship but since he was so close to the Huskies, that sort of seemed like a done deal, even though he had offers from Alabama and pretty much every college football powerhouse.
In the 247 sports specific rankings, the defensive tackle is the top-ranked prospect, so trying to land him is going to be an uphill battle but it’s a push the Wolverines are going to make, especially after the departure of Peterson according to Brice Marich of The Michigan Insider ($).
One thing to keep in mind is that ever since defensive line coach Shaun Nua arrived last winter, he has done a really good job on the recruiting trail and he is the point man when it comes to Tuimoloau.
Nua was seen as someone that could help Michigan football out west and this would be a golden opportunity for him to do that.
Just because Peterson left doesn’t mean that the local product won’t stay home and play for the Huskies, but a bunch of programs will be pushing for him and Michigan football will be among them. Obviously, it would give the Wolverines the kind of player they have been lacking.
Certainly, the impact would be a couple of years down the road and the hope for next season lies with guys like Chris Hinton and Mazi Smith. Yet, these are the kinds of recruiting battles Michigan needs to win.
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It’s not going to happen often, but every once in a while, the Wolverines need to be able to land an elite prospect and who knows, maybe Nua can get U-M into the mix.