Michigan Football: Recruiting experts discuss top targets in 2021

What’s happening with Michigan football and recruiting? We take a look at what some of the top experts are saying about the 2021 class.

If you’re feeling a little uneasy about Michigan football and its 2021 recruiting class, you probably aren’t alone. Things are getting a little dicey as the Wolverines have missed out on some top targets recently.

Recruits like Rocco Spindler, Drew Kendall and Daymon David, three players who at one time or another appeared likely to end up at U-M, went elsewhere. The losses of Spindler and Kendall particularly hurt.

Right now, the Wolverines have 20 recruits committed in the 2021 class and according to the 247 sports composite rankings, 11 of those 20 are rated as four-star recruits, giving the Wolverines a blue-chip ratio of 55 percent.

On the defensive side of things specifically, there is even more work to do. The Wolverines have just nine commitments and only four of them are four-star prospects (44 percent), which is less than ideal and not up to Michigan’s usual standards.

That’s one reason why landing George Rooks and Rayshaun Benny would be such a big deal. Of the two, Benny is far more important. He’s an in-state kid and just better. Here’s what EJ Holland of Rivals said about him Thursday ($):

"“I’m higher on Benny than most, but I’m all in with him. I think he’s the most important guy on the board. I loved him in-game last year and feel like he will be a dominant force in the trenches for several years wherever he lands.”"

Michigan is the crystal ball leader for Benny and Holland also has a Futurecast pick in for Benny, as well as four other Rivals’ analysts, giving him 11 total projections to the Wolverines.

What about Michigan football and Donovan Edwards?

It’s interesting that Holland said he believes Benny is the most important guy on the board for Michigan, because most people would believe that’s four-star running back Donovan Edwards.

Edwards is ranked as the No. 36 prospect overall in the 247 composite rankings and is the third-ranked running back. Like Benny, he’s also a top recruit in the state of Michigan.

The Wolverines have made him a top priority and as with Benny, all of the expert picks from Rivals and 247 are with the Wolverines right now, except for a pick that’s a year old to Ohio State, which isn’t even in the mix anymore.

And since Edwards won’t be able to take official visits before making his decision, Holland is feeling optimistic ($) about the Wolverines chances:

"“I’m feeling pretty good about Don ending up in Ann Arbor. I would put my percentage at about 70. I think the dead period helps Michigan in this race since he won’t be able to make official visits to Georgia and Oklahoma. He may make self-guided tours, but it won’t be the same experience. Overall, I feel like Michigan just makes the most sense in this recruitment.”"

It does seem like Edwards will end up with Michigan, but the longer things go, the harder it is to read. There’s no question Benny and Edwards are must-land recruits in this class.

Rooks is right there too and was supposed to make a decision this week, but unless it comes down today, it looks like he will push it back again. That makes this feel like a true 50/50 battle between Michigan and Penn State, so it’s far from a guarantee.

That means Michigan will need to take some late evaluations or flip some other recruits. One candidate to flip has been Florida State commitment Omarion Cooper. And on Thursday, Steve Lorenz of the Michigan Insider ($) said, “Michigan has a shot,” in regards to making it happen.

He also noted that he would be “shocked” if Michigan football took just one cornerback in 2021, so whether it’s Cooper, Ceyair Wright or someone else, expect another DB or too in this class.