Michigan Football: What’s next for Wolverines 2021 recruiting class?

Will the Wolverines get their 2021 DT?

Michigan has built a strong class up and down in 2021. According to the team rankings via the 247 composite, the Wolverines are No. 8 nationally after Anthony’s pledge Friday and second in the Big Ten.

The Wolverines aren’t going to catch Ohio State, but if Michigan can land Spindler and some of their other top targets, a top-10 class definitely seems in the works.

Yet, one key need that hasn’t been filled is at defensive tackle and there are two prime candidates: Rayshaun Benny and George Rooks.

Rooks is a 6-foot-4, 260-pound defensive end from New Jersey. He could be a defensive tackle or  five-technique, but either way, he’s the kind of verstaile D-lineman the Wolverines value.

He visited Ann Arbor on his own during the dead period and his coach recently said he’s close to making a decision, if he hasn’t already. Michigan has crystal balls and Futurecasts picks in, when no one else does, but it’s hard to read Rooks, so we’ll see if those predictions come true.

With Benny, the top defensive tackle on the board and one of the top guys left overall, Michigan is trending in the right direction. While the Wolverines have just two crystal ball picks with Rooks, with Benny it’s up to six, even though the average confidence level is just a six.

Benny has eight Futurecast picks from Rivals, including one from EJ Holland; Rooks has four from Rivals, including Holland.

Rooks feels like more of a question mark right now. With Benny, it’s all about visits. If he isn’t able to take any soon and decides to make a call, there’s no reason to believe it won’t be Michigan.

But if visits open up and it lasts until December, then another school could make it a little more interesting. With both, but Benny especially, sooner is better.