Michigan Football: Who decides first, George Rooks or Drew Kendall?

Michigan football is waiting for a number of key targets to make their final decision including four-stars George Rooks and Drew Kendall.

Within the next few weeks, we should know one way or another on some important recruiting targets for Michigan football in the 2021 class.

We know that Rocco Spindler is going to announce his decision Aug. 8. But two others, four-star offensive lineman Drew Kendall and four-star defensive lineman George Rooks, also seem on the brink of making a decision.

Kendall has been getting crystal ball projections and other expert picks to the Wolverines since April. However, the confidence on those crystal balls have dropped, as some thought Kendall may not want to commit to a six-man offensive line class.

For Drew, the timeline seems really important.

Getting into business school at Michigan is also an important factor. Either way, if the decision comes before Spindler’s, then expect the Wolverines to be the pick. If Kendall waits till August, then it’s anyone’s guess.

According to Brice Marich of The Michigan Insider ($), Kendall had another zoom call with offensive line coach Ed Warinner and communication between them has been frequent.

“I talk with coach Warinner almost everyday or at least every other day on the phone and then we text a little bit,” Kendall told Marich.

I’d give Michigan a better than 50/50 chance at getting Kendall but there are definitely some things up in the air. There’s also about a week or so left in July and the longer this goes, the worse it probably is for the Wolverines.

Another Michigan football target could decide soon

George Rooks is another name that’s been talked about and written about frequently in the Michigan recruiting circles and Wednesday, Brian Dohn of 247 sports had an interesting update.

Dohn wrote that Rooks was nearing a decision ($) and here’s what Rooks’ high school coach had to say about his decision-making process:

"“I think he would tell you Michigan, Pitt, Syracuse, Penn State and Boston College,” Rooks’ coach Rich Hansen said. “I think the whole shutdown and craziness has thrown a whole wrench into mindsets, but I think he wants to do it sooner rather than later. I don’t think this is going to be dragged on into the season. I think he will make a decision sometime over the summer.”"

While Michigan appears to be the lead with a pair of crystal ball projections in its favor, as well as four Futurecast picks from Rivals, it’s hard to get a read on Rooks.

Rivals has him as a defensive end and also ranked 123rd overall in the 2021 class. 247 sports has him rated as a defensive tackle and No. 23 at his position, well outside the top 200. He’s a three-star in their internal rankings and a four-star recruit in the composite as well as 196th overall.

In the interview with Dohn, Rooks’ high school coach said he wouldn’t be surprised if there was a silent contender and it appears to be Penn State.

Rooks took a dead period visit to Ann Arbor but visited the Nittany Lions too. Dohn also confirmed on the boards ($) he thought it was between Michigan and Penn State, which is new.

This recruitment has been really quiet though. There is a relationship there and while there might be more competition than once thought, Michigan is still in a solid position.

Plus, Rooks isn’t really a true defensive tackle. He’s 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, so he could grow into that. He could also be a five-technique. Dohn even suggested O-line is his best position.

He would certainly be a nice player to add and anytime you add a top-200 recruit that’s a good thing, but at defensive tackle, Rayshaun Benny is still the top priority.