Michigan Football gaining steam with much-needed 2021 DT
Michigan football has landed three commitments in 2021 and 16 overall, but no defensive tackles yet, which is still a pressing need.
After adding three four-star defenders to the 2021 recruiting class in a matter of days, Michigan football isn’t slowing down. The Wolverines still have a number of key targets on their board and needs at some important positions that haven’t been filled.
One of those spots is defensive tackle, where Michigan football has yet to land a commitment for 2021. The Wolverines are pushing for a number of defensive tackle prospects, however, the most promising for U-M could be George Rooks.
Rooks is one of the top players out of the state of New Jersey and the 6-foot-4, 260-pounder is ranked by 247 sports as the No. 202 prospect in 2021 according to their composite rankings. He’s also the 14th-best defensive tackle.
Michigan could use another defensive end, as well as an edge rusher on defense, but a defensive tackle like Rooks is also a priority. He’s a guy, who like Carlo Kemp, could play defensive end or tackle in college, depending the scheme and where his body goes.
Yet, often times, there isn’t a ton of difference between a tackle, playing as a three-technique and a defensive end that’s a five-technique. Both of those positions are within Rook’s wheelhouse. He doesn’t seem like a nose, unless he really adds weight, but Kemp took some snaps there so who knows?
Prior to Thursday, only Tom Loy of Irish Illustrated had placed a crystal ball for Rook and it was to the Wolverines. It was rated as a two of 10 in terms of confidence. But Thursday, Michigan got a crystal ball projection from Clint Brewster, with a confidence of seven. Pittsburgh and Syracuse are other schools listed as warm on his 247 sports profile.
Other Michigan football recruiting notes
One thing Michigan fans were following was the transfer of former five-star quarterback JT Daniels. It was rumored he had interest in the Wolverines but on Thursday, he announced he was going to Georgia.
Maybe the Wolverines will regret not chasing after him, but with Dylan McCaffrey and Joe Milton battling it out, as well as J.J. McCarthy coming down the bend, Michigan football fans should feel good about where the program stands at quarterback.
Elsewhere on the recruiting trail, Rivals’ EJ Holland reports ($) that Michigan football is coming on in the recruitment of four-star corner Jamier Johnson out of California. Holland says if visits happen, the Wolverines should get a visit from Johnson, but that Oregon, Texas and Colorado are in the mix.
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In that same report, Holland said that he placed a FutureCast for four-star running back Prophet Brown to Oklahoma. Brown is rated 197th overall according to Rivals and Michigan has been pushing for him too, but unless Michigan wants him and Donovan Edwards, the waiting game could eliminate them from Brown, who appears to be solidly leaning Oklahoma.