Michigan Football: Recruiting Rayshaun Benny as DL is wise strategy

Rayshaun Benny has been one of Michigan football’s top targets for a while and now that U-M is looking at him as a D-lineman, it will have a better chance.

Recruiting is all about building relationships and being able to respond to recruits and when it comes to four-star lineman Rayshaun Benny, Michigan football is doing an outstanding job.

Benny, who is from Oak Park, Michigan, is one of the top prospects in the state for the 2021 class and he is a guy that can help on the interior. Originally, Michigan football wanted him as an offensive tackle and it’s hard not to blame the Wolverines for that.

Benny is 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds. He also ranks as one of the top offensive tackles in this upcoming class. According to the 247 sports composite rankings, Benny is the No. 23 offensive tackle and the sixth-best prospect in the state.

Of course, with his proximity, Michigan football would figure to be a favorite to land him. However, this past weekend, during his visit, the Wolverines decided to change up their strategy and it seems to be in a positive way.

Benny, who plays both ways and could easily be a defensive tackle, as well as an offensive lineman, has said that he wants to play defense and it looks like he and Michigan football is on the same page on that according to Brice Marich of The Michigan Insider ($).

"“I was talking to (Director of Recruiting) Matt Dudek and he just straight asked me, ‘What do you want to play?’… and I told them defense. They said, ‘Alright, then we are going to pursue you as that. We talked a little bit about potential position. It depends on what team they would be playing really because some teams I might line up over the tight end, but other games, I might line up at the 3-tech, where they could use faster guys. I definitely would like that.”"

It sounds Michigan sees Benny as a fit at defensive end, playing as a five-technique or a three-technique. Generally, those guys are long and athletic, and Benny would fit the bill. He has the long arms to hold up at the point of attack, as well as the size.

And since he wants to play defense, it seems smart to recruit to that side of the ball, so kudos to the Wolverines.