Michigan Football: Wolverines enter mix for 3-star Ohio DE

Michigan football is going hard after defensive ends in the 2021 class and another the Wolverines just offered is three-star Darryl Peterson of Ohio.

If you have been following Michigan football recruiting lately, you have probably noticed the attention that the Wolverines are paying to the defensive line.

The Wolverines have been making contact with prospects all over the country at a number of different positions, but defensive line coach Shaun Nua has been particularly active and he kept that up Tuesday with an offer to an Ohio defensive end Darryl Peterson. 

Peterson reported the offer from Nua and Michigan football on his Twitter account and while he currently has three crystal ball projections to Wisconsin, the Wolverines are looking to enter the mix along with Michigan State, Alabama and West Virginia among others.

At 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, Peterson is ranked as the No. 36 strong-side defensive end according to the 247 sports composite rankings, while also ranking 13th in the state of Ohio and 398th overall in the 2021 class.

Yet, at this point, Michigan football will need to put on the full-court press for Peterson, who told Bill Greene back on March 10 that he was planning on deciding in July. But, back then, the Wolverines hadn’t even offered. Still, here’s what Peterson told 247 sports:

"“I am down to Alabama, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. I want to be committed once the official visits are over, so I’m probably looking at doing that in late June or early July. I only have my Wisconsin visit set and I want to get the other two scheduled this week.”"

Of course, everything changed when the COVID-19 outbreak cancelled all visits and put college football recruiting into a dead period, at least in terms of making contact. Peterson has visited Wisconsin three times making the Badgers the favorite, as well as Alabama and West Virginia recently, but unofficially.

If Michigan can get Peterson in for a visit, that could change things and he’s exactly the kind of edge rusher the Wolverines have been looking for in this class. He’s not super highly rated and he will need to develop more if he wants to be a three-down player like Josh Uche, but U-M has been needing more talent from Ohio and a defensive end that can get to the QB would be a great start.