Michigan football: 3 Huge in-state recruiting battles for Wolverines

West Bloomfield’s best

If you have a top in-state athlete, and you’re a Michigan football coach, you’re hoping he attends West Bloomfield High School.

UM has an in with former wide receiver and Wolverine Alum, Ron Bellamy.

But the relationship between Michigan’s recruiters and with Bellamy’s star running back, Donovan Edwards, has seemed to cool down. Recruiting analysts were starting to believe Edwards might be a lock for that school down south. And that would be detrimental as Edwards is the third-best running back in the country and second in-state, per 247 sports.

Things have changed in recent days. Ohio State picked up a commitment from NC native Evan Pryor, whose the sixth-best RB, and Georgia, UM’s other key opponent for Donovan’s attention, obtained a pledge from Lovasea Carroll, the 8th-best RB.

Here’s 247 sports evaluation of Edwards:

"Strong, muscular build. Compact and has prototypical size. Explosive runner with good burst and can hit the home-run. Will run tough between the tackles. Great pass-catcher who can function as a receiver out of the backfield or in the slot. Good, willing blocker with good strength. Does not have many glaring weaknesses, but can still keep improving timed speed and continue recovery from an injury which ended his sophomore season. He is a complete back who can play in any scheme though, and should be a lead-back early in his college career. Should hear his name called around the second round of the NFL draft."

Rivals ranks Donovan at fourth in Michigan, the second-best running back, and 59th nationally. ESPN also has Edwards at 4th in-state, but they dropped him both positionally and nationally at fourth and 78th, respectively.

Where will attend?

247 sports has 45 percent of his crystal balls undecided, 45 percent UM, and 9 percent Georgia.

Rivals has Donovan a 55 percent lean with their Futurecast, the rest remain with Ohio State.