Michigan Football: Updates on Rocco Spindler, Rayshaun Benny

Michigan football continues to recruit both Rocco Spindler and Rayshaun Benny very hard and here’s the latest on both.

One of the nice things about Michigan football having 19 players committed as part of its 2021 recruiting class is that the Wolverines can focus their resources where they want.

There are still some needs that to be met obviously. The class doesn’t have a running back and only has two defensive backs. There aren’t any defensive tackles and there could be more offensive lineman and receivers added, although four-star Christian Dixon pledged Thursday.

With the board down to a few key guys at each spot, Michigan football can be very aggressive and they have been with guys like Rocco Spindler and Rayshaun Benny. Spindler is ranked in the top 100 in the 247 composite and Rivals, while Benny is a top-100 recruit via Rivals, while ranking in the top 200 in the 247 composite.

In the case of Benny, a player Michigan has been recruiting as a defensive tackle, which is where he wants to play, the Oak Park prospect told Sam Webb of The Michigan Insider ($) the Wolverines are recruiting him harder than anyone.

Webb also reports ($) that in addition to defensive line coach Shaun Nua communicating with Benny a lot, Sherrone Moore and head coach Jim Harbaugh are too. At 6-foot-5, 275 pounds, Benny has enormous potential and he’d be the big defensive tackle the class is currently missing.

He’s not expected to make a decision until this fall after taking more visits. He’s visited Michigan multiple times.

Michigan football reaches out to Rocco on his birthday

It was Rocco Spindler’s birthday Thursday and the Wolverines reached out to him according to The Michigan Insider ($) with a staff call planned for one of the top players in the state of Michigan.

As with Benny, Spindler doesn’t seem to be anywhere close to deciding. He’s continually said good things about Michigan and did so again Thursday when he told EJ Holland of Rivals this:

"“You know, Michigan’s an amazing program. You can win a national championship on the field, but also in the classroom. That’s where I stand. I’m a big academics guy, but I’m also a huge football guy. To have both of those on the same turf, the same campus, it’s amazing to have. The coaching staff is unbelievable. The development, Coach [Ben] Herb[ert], the weight staff, there’s no comparison.”"

Spindler also had good things to say about J.J. McCarthy, Michigan’s five-star commit at quarterback.

"“JJ, he’s cool, man. We always talk and, ‘How are things going? How’s the family doing?’ Me and him really wanted to team up at IMG, but we can possibly team up at Michigan.”"

With Spindler’s crystal ball projections split at 50/50 between Michigan and Notre Dame, it doesn’t appear this will end anytime soon. Holland has a prediction in for Michigan and he hasn’t really wavered.

At this point, in the case of Benny, who has zero crystal ball predictions, and Spindler, you have to the feel like Michigan is doing everything it can, which is why it’s in a strong position for both.