Michigan Football: Drew Kendall, Rayshaun Benny update timelines

Two top Michigan football targets for the 2021 class, Rayshaun Benny and Drew Kendall, each talked about their decision timelines Wednesday.

There’s no question that two of the bigger priorities for Michigan football in the 2021 recruiting class have been offensive lineman Drew Kendall and defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny.

The two prospects are somewhat similar. They are both consensus four-star recruits and each was viewed, at least at one time or another, as someone who could play offense or defense. Some still want Benny on the offensive line, which is where Ohio State has recruited him to play.

Both players are ranked in the top 200 of the 247 sports composite rankings and are among players Michigan football is projected to land. The Wolverines own all of Drew Kendall’s crystal ball picks and Futurecasts and have for some time. Benny only has one crystal ball pick, but it’s for the Wolverines.

A big question for Kendall has been about his timeline. When is he going to make a decision? In an interview with 247 sports ($), he offered some clarity, sort of, saying it could come in July or August.

"“I’m thinking July, but it could be August. I’m definitely thinking July, though. I would say more towards the latter half.”"

That’s sort of a change. Before, Kendall made it seem like he was going to commit in July and there has been some thought that if he didn’t commit to Michigan in July, he may not. But Kendall told 247 sports that Michigan said he would be a take no matter what, so who knows. He did sound a little hesitant about joining a class loaded with interior lineman though. However, he doesn’t sound afraid of competition at all. Here’s more of what he told 247 sports ($):

"“If there is three interior guys in my class, then there is most likely going to be one that plays early, one that probably leaves early, so with the numbers I haven’t been looking into them too much. I like competition and I think once I put that weight on, then I think I’ll be in a very good place.”"

Michigan football seems to be the clear leader and then Boston College and Duke are among others in the mix. The sooner a decision comes the better for U-M.

The same could be said for Benny, a key in-state prospect for Michigan. A number of programs are in the mix and Benny has said he wants to decide in December, however, in an interview with Rivals, he said if visits aren’t allowed this fall, he could decide by September.

If Benny makes a decision by then, I believe he’d be a Wolverine, so we’ll see but his recruitment is trending in the right direction.