Michigan Football in the mix for 4-star that de-committed from Oregon

Building up the trenches has been a big focus for Michigan football during the 2021 recruiting class and an Oregon de-commitment could help with that.

On the offensive line front, Michigan football has been busy in the 2021 recruiting class and after extending an offer to Oregon commit Josh Simmons, that hasn’t changed.

What has changed since Michigan football offered the 6-foot-5 guard out of the state of California, is that Simmons has since de-committed from the Ducks, announcing that his recruitment was open Tuesday night according to 247 sports Greg Biggins.

Here’s what Simmons told Biggins, a well-known recruiting analyst out West:

"“It’s a big decision for sure and I made it really early in the process, without seeing a lot of other schools. This is a huge decision obviously and I think it’s only fair that I go and take my visits and see what else is out there.”"

While Simmons said that Oregon was still very high on his list, he did have good things to say about Michigan football and offensive line coach Ed Warriner, who is becoming quite the standout as a recruiter.

"“I’m still trying to figure out where I want to officially visit but I do have a few schools in mind. I’m very interested in Michigan and was really surprised when they offered me. I talked to coach Warinner (OL coach) and they’re definitely in it."

Simmons would be a solid get for the Wolverines, who also added offensive guard Greg Crippen not long ago. Michigan also has a commitment in 2021 from four-star offensive tackle Giovanni El-Hadi, so adding Simmons, who ranks 274th overall according to the 247 sports composite rankings and 16th among guards would be huge.

The interesting thing is that Simmons could also be a nose tackle type for Michigan football. On offense, his scouting report says he is a road-grader, which means a physical blocker in the gun game. Biggins, who wrote his scouting profile, had this to say:

"Massive two-way lineman who could end up as a nose guard or offensive guard in college. Shows quickness of the ball, strength at the point of attack and the ability to cave in the interior of an offensive line by himself. As a guard, can overwhelm an opposing defensive lineman with his size and strength. Is a road grader as a run blocker and shows the feet to project as an excellent pass blocker as well."

Obviously, since Warriner is the point man, Michigan seems to view him as an offensive lineman, but position changes happen all the time, plus you don’t find 6-foot-5, 323-pound lineman growing on trees.

In some ways, he sounds similar to Rocco Spindler, a four-star, in-state recruit that Michigan is desperate to land. Spindler is the No. 2 guard according to 247 sports and 49th nationally.

Either way, Simmons is a name to watch and if he winds up visiting Ann Arbor, when that’s possible again, then Michigan football will be a real player in this recruitment.