Michigan Football: Latest buzz on Donovan Edwards, other priority targets

Michigan football got the news that it would get to play in the 2020 season on Wednesday, but there was key news on recruiting too and here’s what it means.

Wednesday was a great day to be a Wolverine. The Big Ten finally announced it will restart its 2020 season in October, meaning Michigan football isn’t that far away.

That was obviously the attention-grabbing headline. But the NCAA also announced some other decisions, including the extension of the recruiting dead period through the end of the year.

That means recruits can’t take visits, at least officially, before the early signing period begins in late December. And since two priority targets, running back Donovan Edwards and defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny are interested in taking visits, this could help or hurt the Wolverines.

As far as Edwards is concerned, it could help Michigan football. Donovan, who is ranked 36th in the 247 composite rankings for 2021 and is clearly the top target left on the board.

Yet, he has wanted to visit Oklahoma, as well as another visit to Georgia. Those two schools are the prime contenders right now. But here’s how EJ Holland of Rivals ($) sums it up:

"“Starting off with Edwards, the dead period means no official visits to Georgia and Oklahoma. While he may take self-guided visits, it’s definitely not the same as meeting with the staff and going through a real OV. I was already feeling better about Michigan’s chances, and I think this only helps. Michigan is definitely the safe pick in his recruitment.”"

I agree that the extension of the dead period helps Michigan, but Edwards seems determined to get to Georgia. This should move up the timeline a bit, which could also help the Wolverines.

The longer it goes, the more likely it is, in my opinion, that he leaves the state and heads to Georgia or OU. It’s sort of like the Drew Kendall thing, at some point, you have to wonder why Donovan hasn’t pulled the trigger?

In his case, it’s because he wants to take these visits. But now, that won’t happen, officially, until January. So if he doesn’t choose Michigan before the signing period, I will be concerned.

Other priority 2021 targets

The Wolverines board has really shrunk down in the 2021 class. According to Brice Marich of the Michigan Insider ($), the staff isn’t going to expand it either, at least at safety.

Michigan will keep recruiting Daymon David, but if he chooses Oregon, the Wolverines aren’t going to push for another safety.

That leaves the board pretty thin. Two other key targets are Benny and four-star defensive lineman George Rooks.

Rooks has already taken self-guided tours to Michigan and Penn State, which are the top two contenders in his recruitment, so now it’s just up to him to make a decision. This shouldn’t change anything there.

However, with Benny, Holland seemed to suggest his recruitment could go into next year and into the traditional signing period next February. Here’s what Holland wrote:

"“Now that the dead period is being extended, I would be surprised if he makes a decision soon. If he does, then I believe the pick will be Michigan. If he takes it to February, things could get interesting.”"

Essentially, with both Edwards and Benny, the sooner they make a decision the better for the Wolverines, who are the solid crystal ball leader with both.

As we saw with Kendall, the longer the recruiting process goes, the weirder it gets, so hopefully, Michigan can wrap up one or two of these relatively soon.