Michigan Football is a favorite for Florida State decommitment

Michigan football has been trying to flip Florida State commitment Omarion Cooper and another former target is out there after a decommitment.

It’s no secret that Michigan football has been making a push with Florida State commit Omarion Cooper but another decommitment from the Seminoles also has the Wolverines interested.

The latest blow to Florida State came when four-star linebacker Branden Jennings announced his recruitment was open again. Here’s what Jennings tweeted on Monday:

While linebacker isn’t necessarily a huge need for Michigan football in the 2021 class, especially if the Wolverines are still solid with four-star linebacker Jaydon Hood, you can’t pass up talent and U-M did just lose the commitment of three-star linebacker Casey Phinney.

It also wasn’t that long ago that Jennings was a top target of the Wolverines and even took a visit to campus, so there is familiarity and according to Sam Webb of the Michigan Insider ($), U-M is right there in the mix.

"“Ole Miss immediately emerged as a school of interest thanks to the presence of Chris Partridge who recruited the talented youngster at Michigan. Not long after that I learned that the Wolverines are in the mix too. As a matter of fact, I heard that the Wolverines quickly became one of the favorites to land the Top247 prospect.”"

At 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, Jennings is listed as a top-100 recruit according to the 247 sports composite rankings and is 81st overall. In the 247 specific rankings, he’s a little lower at No. 161 but still, he’s an elite defender and would be a huge addition. Here’s his scouting report from 247:

"“One of the hardest hitters in the 2021 recruiting cycle. Plays with great effort and motor. Attacks blockers with physicality. Efforts to re-route receiving threats. Good range between the tackles, thanks in part to wing span. Bends well for a bigger linebacker but does show some stiffness in space.”"

Rivals recruiting reporter EJ Holland also touched on Jennings ($), although he wasn’t as optimistic about Michigan’s chances:

"“Jennings visited Michigan last fall and had a lot of interest in the Wolverines. With all of this said, Miami may be the team to beat. It’s closer to home, and he has a brother on the team.”"

Either way, it could be a good thing for Michigan football, because Miami has been trying to flip Hood from the Wolverines. There hasn’t been much to worry about yet, but if the Canes were able to land Jennings, who is another inside linebacker type, it could alleviate that concern further.

It’s always nice to have that familiarity, but the truth is still that he visited Ann Arbor and didn’t choose the Wolverines before and it’s not like he got new information. So we’ll see how it plays out but at least Michigan football is in the mix.