Michigan Football: 5 key recruits Wolverines can realistically land in 2021

4-star Jay Toia might be the best option at DT

Michigan football has been very focused on defensive lineman and for good reason. The Wolverines were pushed around a little last year against some elite teams and unlike when Harbaugh came to Ann Arbor when the Wolverines were loaded with D-lineman, the stockpile upfront has gotten a little low.

One thing that definitely has been missing is the big run-stuffing defensive tackle. Michigan used some undersized guys last season and while Chris Hinton and Mazi Smith could change that this year, the Wolverines need more big bodies at defensive tackle, no doubt about it.

And that’s a good thing for 2021 because there are a number of interesting prospects. Of course, Damon Payne, the top prospect in the state is one option, but he doesn’t seem as interested as the Wolverines. Tywone Malone is another target from New Jersey, but Michigan might be trailing Ohio State in that one. Greg Schiano and Rutgers are pushing hard too.

So the most realistic option might be Jay Toia, a four-star defensive tackle that has been committed to USC. The 6-foot-1, 300-pound tackle is ranked 192nd overall and 12th at defensive tackle in the 247 composite rakings.

Toia put out a top eight recently and USC was on the list, but so was Michigan and if he was a hard commit, why would he do that anyway? It’s a little strange and makes you think the Wolverines have an opening.