Michigan Football: How Evan Pryor committing to Buckeyes helps U-M

Ohio State grabbed a commitment from four-star running back Evan Pryor this week and here’s how it could eventually help the Wolverines.

It’s always good to keep an eye on the enemy and for Michigan football, that means Ohio State as much as anyone.

Unfortunately, it has been a good week for the Buckeyes on the recruiting front, which isn’t necessarily a good thing for the Wolverines. Last night, despite recruiting visits being shut down, Ohio State was still able to get a commitment from four-star running back Evan Pryor, the No. 5 back in the country.

You might be wondering how this relates to Michigan football and here’s how. This commitment could help the Wolverines land one of the 2021 running backs they have been after.

Ohio State is a contender along with the Wolverines for four-star running back Donovan Edwards, who is out of West Bloomfield, Michigan and also Corey Kiner, a four-star running back out of the state of Ohio.

Edwards is the No. 2 running back in the 2021 class and while the Wolverines appeared to be the leader with him not long ago, there was a run of Ohio State crystal balls with him, making it seem like he was headed to Ohio State.

But then things started picking up with Pryor and Ohio State. The Buckeyes started picking up crystal balls with him too in recent days and Monday, he finally made his decision and it was one that could help the Wolverines.

It’s not that Edwards will shy away from Ohio State because Pryor is going there. But overall, it does help Michigan football’s chance of getting a running back or at least one of its top targets. If Edwards goes to Ohio State, which is still possible, it could give U-M a better chance with another target of the Wolverines Cory Kiner.

Kiner isn’t rated quite as highly as Edwards, who is a top-50 prospect overall, however, he is still the No. 10 running back in his class and Michigan football is one of the top contenders along with Cincinnati and Ohio State.

Edwards remains the top prize and the Pryor commitment will help with that, yet it should also help with Kiner, who isn’t a bad backup plan.