Michigan Football: Thoughts on Donovan Edwards, other in-state recruits

There have been some key developments with in-state recruits for Michigan football in recent days and here’s the latest.

With all the uncertainty in the 2021 recruiting cycle, some of Michigan football‘s top targets have gone back and forth regarding their decision timelines.

George Rooks was supposed to decide a couple of weeks ago and then pushed his decision to December. Rayshaun Benny was going to wait and take visits, but now is expected to decide within a couple of weeks.

And it sounds like four-star running back recruit Donovan Edwards is paying attention. Here’s what his head coach Ron Bellamy, a former Wolverine, told Sam Webb of the Michigan Insider ($) Edwards said about Benny: “He said, ‘I’ve got to call my man Ray,”

Right now, it feels like the recruitment of Benny is down to Michigan football and Michigan State, so it’s a battle the Wolverines desperately need to win. For one, it fills a huge need, but losing Benny to the Spartans could also hurt with Edwards and other in-state recruits.

But Webb also reported that in other ways, Michigan is gaining even more momentum with Edwards and part of it has to do with a former teammate, Makari Paige, who is competing for playing time right away. Here’s what Bellamy said to Webb ($) about it:

"“A guy like Donovan seeing his best friend potentially competing for a starting job and having significant time… that’s very powerful in his recruitment.”"

It seems like if Benny were to decide for the Wolverines that would be a strong factor in Michigan’s favor. He does want to play for a contender, so a strong season, which starts Oct. 24 at Minnesota also wouldn’t hurt the cause.

A picture also surfaced of Edwards wearing Michigan gloves this past week, which isn’t a guarantee of anything, but still can’t hurt.

Is an offer coming for Antonio Gates Jr.?

Michigan football fans might remember the Wolverines making a late push for in-state recruit Andrel Anthony and beating Michigan State for his commitment, despite the crystal balls at one time being in the other direction.

Well, it’s possible something like that could happen again with 2022 wide receiver Antonio Gates Jr., who has three crystal ball projections to the Spartans and was supposed to commit over the weekend before delaying his decision.

Here’s what Steve Lorenz of the Michigan Insider wrote about the Wolverines pursuit:

"“Michigan has picked up their pursuit of 2022 four-star wide receiver prospect Antonio Gates Jr., 247Sports confirmed early Friday evening. Gates Jr. also told our Michigan State affiliate on Friday evening that he has delayed what looked like an imminent commitment as more schools are beginning to reach out.”"

Gates is ranked 260th overall in the 247 sports composite rankings, although the 247 specific rankings have him higher at No. 192. Yet, his offer list isn’t super long.

In addition to Michigan State, which has been the favorite for the Dearborn product, others such as Penn State, Iowa State and Arkansas have been in the mix.

Michigan football has been around his recruitment but hasn’t offered and if the Wolverines extend one right now, it’s possible they could be right in the mix with Michigan State, setting up another showdown for a top in-state recruit.