Rayshaun Benny is still expected to choose Michigan Football

Michigan football is just four days away from returning to the field but also five days from a decision from priority recruit Rayshaun Benny.

There’s no question that Michigan football fans have been freaking out a little bit over the recruitment of in-state defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny.

Benny is out of Oak Park and he’s one of the top recruits left on the board for Michigan football in 2021 and along with Donovan Edwards, he is a top priority. He’s also expected to announce his decision this Sunday between U-M, Michigan State, Kentucky and Penn State.

As I wrote in my weekly recruiting roundup Sunday, there is some real cause for concern with Benny, as Michigan State, led by new head coach Mel Tucker has made some inroads.

The Spartans have sold Benny as being the face of their recruiting class and one of his high school teammates is currently part of MSU’s 2021 class.

So despite the fact that Michigan has been the long-time leader in terms of crystal balls and Futurecast picks, there has been a lot of anxiety. That recruitments of Rocco Spindler and Drew Kendall probably don’t help.

Can Michigan football close with Benny?

However, Michigan fans can breathe a little easier after a pair of recruiting experts weighed in on where things stand Tuesday, starting with EJ Holland of Rivals ($), who wrote that he has reason for renewed optimism with Benny:

"“I feel better about Michigan landing Rayshaun Benny today than I did yesterday. I have reason to believe Michigan’s conversations with Benny are moving in the right direction and that Benny may longer be second guessing his original decision.”"

Holland tends to be a touch optimistic when it comes to his picks. He ended up being wrong on Spindler, Drew Kendall and also Daymon David, however, he’s not alone in his thinking as Allen Trieu of 247 sports backed up his assessment on the Michigan State message boards.

"“I’m expecting Michigan to be the pick there even though MSU made up ground towards the end. I’d be very surprised if he didn’t know where he was going with the announcement this weekend.”"

Neither revealed a whole lot, but there does seem to be some inside information that gives them reason to believe Michigan will be the pick, although Holland said he was still worried about Kentucky, which landed Justin Rogers from Oak Park in 2020 and Maxwell Hairston out of West Bloomfield this cycle.

But at this point, Michigan still feels like it is in the pole position. There have been no changes in terms of expert picks and if that holds true, the Wolverines should be the choice come Sunday.