Michigan Football: Analyzing early signing day for Wolverines
By Nick Popio
On a early signing day Michigan football folks had vested interest in the men in charge and the staff did a commendable job piecing together the latest crop of recruits with all that’s going on around them.
Not everything went as according to plan for Michigan football on early signing day, but Jim Harbaugh’s staff put forth a solid effort when it comes to the early signing day period. It’s an offensive rich group that is centered around J.J. McCarthy.
He’s unquestionably the crown jewel of the class that will be pressured by everyone to take Michigan football to heights of which have not been achieved by the school’s lofty standards.
McCarthy is Harbaugh’s most vital quarterback signing since he arrived in 2015. The amount of stress that will be on these two for the next three or four years to win now is something that I do not wish upon anyone. Henceforth, time will tell if this marriage can succeed or fail miserably in front of a growing, restless audience.
More from GBMWolverine
- 3 things to watch for Michigan football vs. Rutgers
- Michigan football vs. Rutgers: Prediction, Odds, Spread and Over/Under for College Football Week 4
- Michigan Wolverines news: Jim Harbaugh wants J.J. McCarthy ‘gunslinging’, plus a drop in recruiting rankings
- Grades, game balls for Michigan football vs. Bowling Green
- Michigan Wolverines news: Jake Moody is money in the NFL, plus more
The rest of the offense looks rather explosive on paper. Donovan Edwards and Xavier Worthy create a dynamic duo of weapons to utilize at McCarthy’s expense.
Both were sought after by many of the top programs in the country and being able to get the pair to dawn the maize and blue is a feat that this coaching staff couldn’t dream of following a 2-4 campaign.
The offensive line is headlined by Giovanni El-Hadi. He’s been committed for the longest time out of all the signees. Greg Crippen joins him as well as his IMG teammate McCarthy. Raheem Anderson may get a real shot at playing time in 2021 after being a four-year starter within the Cass Tech pipeline.
The same cannot be said for the defensive side of things though.
The loss of Branden Jennings could prove to be extra costly as soon as next season. Depending upon what happens between now and then will really test the depth at the linebacker position. The other spot on defense that will be bothersome is at tackle with little left to the imagination besides Chris Hinton and others.
Heading into the offseason whomever heads the defense knows that they have a lot of work to do. Every position on the unit needs an instant upgrade if they expect to get back to a level that everyone can agree on is dependable when facing today’s offenses. A new coordinator appears very likely and should be the first step to a total defensive resurgence.
The fact Michigan can pull off a class like this with a coach who lacks achievements and has no contract extension, and the program hasn't won a title in 15 years, speaks to the potency of the brand. It also says we should never suck like this, or go this long between titles.
— MichiganPodcast (@MichiganPodcast) December 17, 2020
This class should be remembered for the turning point on offense, but the continuation of a regressing defense.
All eyes will be on McCarthy as soon as he steps foot on campus, while the downward trending defense will have to pull its weight in order for the Wolverines to restore their winning traditions as soon as possible.