Michigan football should have about seven spots left in its 2021 recruiting class and here are the top four priorities left for the Wolverines.
As the 2021 recruiting class starts to wind down, things are looking pretty solid from a Michigan football standpoint.
The Wolverines, who are expected to take around 26 recruits in this class (standard is 25), already have 19 players committed. According to Rivals, Michigan football ranks fifth in the 2021 team rankings and according to 247 sports, the Wolverines rank No. 8.
Of the 19 players committed, all of them are at least three-star prospects according to the 247 composite rankings and 10 of them are rated as four-star prospects or higher, putting Michigan on the positive side of the blue-chip ratio (10 4-stars, 9 3-stars) with a good chance to improve.
The blue-chip ratio is the percentage of 4-star and 5-star players you have out of your class. For instance if you sign 20 players and 10 are 4-star or better, the blue-chip ratio is 50 percent. The idea is to get as much over 50 percent as possible.
When it’s all said and done, the Wolverines could potentially add as many as 15 blue-chip prospects to this class, at least according to the 247 sports composite, which measures all rankings.
Yet, some work remains to be done. While Michigan does have a quarterback, four offensive lineman, two receivers, a slew of linebackers and defensive ends, needs must be met at running back and on the defensive line especially.
On top of that and even more importantly, there is elite talent still on the board and that’s where we begin with the top four priority recruits left for Michigan in 2021.
Xavier Worthy
Four-star wide receiver Xavier Worthy has always been a top target for the Michigan football staff and you can tell just by the way the Wolverines have recruited him.
Even when he was starting to trend to Oregon and it looked like things might go that way, the Wolverines never relented in their pursuit. Rising sophomore Giles Jackson, who is from California like Worthy, has also been recruiting the receiver and that’s helped U-M.
But the most important thing has been Gattis according to a report from Sam Webb of The Michigan Insider ($) and him being able to sell Worthy on his role in the offense.
Worthy is a priority because he has the kind of speed you can’t coach. He runs the 100 in 10.55 and he’s 6-foot-1, 160 pounds. Basically, he’s a 6-foot-1 Giles Jackson and that would be an incredible piece to have in the Wolverines offense.
Michigan started trending with expert picks and Worthy is set to decide July 10, so it looks like it could be good news and that’d be great for the Wolverines, who haven’t had a wideout like Worthy in a long time.
Rayshaun Benny
The other top priority targets for Michigan football are all in-state players and they are all elite talents, starting with four-star lineman Rayshaun Benny.
Benny is ranked 189th overall in the 247 sports composite rankings and is out of Oak Park, Michigan. He’s 6-foot-5, 275 pounds and while some programs want him on the offensive line, the Wolverines have been recruiting him as a defensive tackle, which is what he prefers.
But more than that, the Wolverines recognize Benny is just a really good player and whether he plays offense, defense or whatever, if a kid like that is in your backyard, you need to get him.
Like with Worthy, Michigan football has been recruiting Benny harder than any other program ($), which is what Benny told 247 sports recently. He’s the big-bodied defensive tackle the Wolverines don’t have yet in this class and he would be an essential piece. George Rooks is another four-star defensive lineman that Michigan is in a good spot with, however, he could end up as a defensive end.
Benny is a defensive tackle and really, regardless of position, he’s a key player and you don’t want him going to another program like Ohio State.
Rocco Spindler
It’s probably not a huge surprise to see the name of four-star guard Rocco Spindler on the list because he’s been a huge priority for Michigan football in this cycle all along.
Spindler is the No. 3 player in the state of Michigan and ranked 50th overall among the 2021 class. He’s close to 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds. In other words, he’s the kind of player who could walk in the door day one and compete for a starting job.
Cesar Ruiz became a starter halfway through his freshman season and Spindler is exactly that type of player, someone who will eventually be an early-round draft choice. I mean he already has the body of an NFL offensive lineman.
Like Braiden McGregor in the 2020 class, this is a Michigan-Notre Dame battle and according to EJ Holland ($), some on the Michigan side feel it will have the same result. Of course, the Notre Dame side probably feels the same way. Holland also noted a decision could come August 15, which is sooner than previously expected.
It’s true that Michigan is also in good shape with four-star guard Drew Kendall, who is also a highly-ranked player. But he’s listed at 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, which may or may not be entirely accurate. Still, he’s not Spindler and as good as the Wolverines offensive line class is, Spindler would be the best of the bunch.
Donovan Edwards
Josh Gattis has made a huge impact on the recruiting trail the past two years and one player he’s starting to make a difference with is Donovan Edwards. According to Sam Webb of the Michigan Insider ($), the two had a zoom call this week and it went very well.
Essentially, Edwards wanted more details about how he would be used in the offense. He’s a tremendous running back, but also has great skills as a receiver and he wants that skillset to be utilized too, which Gattis can certainly do.
Edwards is 36th overall in the 247 composite and the No. 3 running back. He’s also incredibly dynamic and he’s been the top priority for months now. If Michigan football lost out on his recruitment, it would be devastating. He’s a program-changing kind of player.
Sort of like Worthy, a dynamic speedster, Michigan hasn’t really had a player like Edwards, at least in a long time. He could be a future first or second round pick and the Wolverines haven’t had a running back go that high in about 15 years.
There are other important targets out there such as George Rooks, Drew Kendall and Kamonte Grimes, among others, but if Michigan football lands Spindler, Worthy, Benny and Edwards, the 2021 recruiting class will be complete and maybe the best group Jim Harbaugh has signed.