Michigan Football: Andrel Anthony commits to Wolverines, in blow to MSU

Michigan football scores key recruiting victory over Michigan State in landing three-star wide receiver Andrel Anthony.

A strong summer of recruiting for Michigan football got even better Friday, as the Wolverines cemented the commitment of three-star wide receiver Andrel Anthony.

Anthony chose the Wolverines over Michigan State, which had appeared to be the leader for the past couple of months. New head coach Mel Tucker prioritized the East Lansing recruit and Anthony would have been the top-rated Spartans commit in 2021, had he committed.

Instead, after a late push, he chose Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football, announcing his pledge Friday afternoon.

Here’s what Anthony told EJ Holland of Rivals about Michigan’s push for him:

"“They told me that I can come in and be an immediate factor. It feels like they really want me. They’ve made it known, especially over the last month and a half. Them checking up to see how I’m doing and how my family is doing means a lot.”"

Anthony visited the campus without the staff last weekend and this week, the crystal balls started flooding away from the Spartans. Anthony then confirmed the news with his announcement which is a brutal defeat for Tucker.

The Spartans as a whole aren’t doing well on the recruiting trail in 2021. The fact that Anthony is the 15th-rated recruit, via the 247 composite rankings, in the Wolverines 2021 class, but would have been No. 1 in MSU’s is all you need to know.

The fact that Tucker couldn’t close with a kid in his own backyard, against Michigan, which already had three receivers committed, isn’t promising for Sparty.

But it’s great for Michigan because like Anthony said, he can make an impact. He’s 6-foot-2, 175 pounds and he can play all over the place. He can work out the slot and adds some height, along with Xavier Worthy, who recently committed at 6-foot-1.

It’s also nice to see the Wolverines land a key in-state target. Anthony is ranked as the No. 12 prospect in Michigan and his commitment gives U-M three of the top 12, with the Wolverines also in position to get Donovan Edwards, Rocco Spindler and Rayshaun Benny.

Michigan State has one commitment in the top 15 in the state. The Wolverines now have four receivers committed and 21 verbal pledges in 2021. That should leave about 4-5 spots left.

More on this soon.