Michigan Football: Wolverines top targets for late-signing period

Michigan football did a great job on early signing day and signed 20 recruits but the work isn’t over and here are some targets still on the board.

Early signing day is the big day now in recruiting and for the Michigan football program, it was a successful day for the most part.

It wasn’t perfect, but the Wolverines landed 20 signees following a 2-4 season and questions about the long-term status of its head coach. Michigan football landed a five-star quarterback and a total of five top-100 recruits.

There’s no denying that the loss of Branden Jennings to Maryland and Quintin Somerville hurt, but Michigan’s a little better off on defense, at least I think so, and there is still time to address needs either in the late period, with the transfer portal, or ideally, both.

At defensive tackle, Michigan needs size and depth and honestly, talent. When Don Brown’s defenses were good at Michigan, he had horses up front. Maurice Hurst was an absolute beast and consensus All-American and Rashan Gary, even though he didn’t get as many sacks as we wanted, controlled the line of scrimmage.

There were lots of other really talented guys too and Michigan probably could add some in the portal to help build up that depth.

But it just so happens that one of Michigan’s most important late-period (February) targets is Rayshaun Benny, who U-M wanted as a defensive tackle. He’s committed to Michigan State right now, but he’s the top target for the next couple of months and that’s where we start.

Rayshaun Benny (Michigan State commit, unsigned)

The reason Michigan football has to be feeling optimistic about its chances of landing Benny is that he didn’t sign with the Spartans Wednesday as planned. The early signing period isn’t over yet, but ends tomorrow and Benny definitely looks like he’s taking it to February.

There’s no rumors that a flip is coming or anything but Michigan has momentum and if Harbaugh signs a new contract, that worry will go away too.

If Shaun Nua doesn’t end up back on the staff, that could hurt, but this is one where Harbaugh should really get involved. There’s at least an opening for Michigan and with a guy as talented as Benny, the Wolverines have to take their shot.

He might end up sticking, but you have to wonder why he didn’t sign with the Spartans if he was 100 percent solid?

Ceyair Wright

Obviously, cornerback is another position of need for the Wolverines, especially after some struggles at the position during the 2020 season. Gemon Green showed some promise and there is young talent at the position too, but someone like Ceyair Wright, who is a top-100 corner, could have a shot to play right away.

He’s announcing his decision Jan. 2 at the All-American Bowl but will probably be deciding earlier than that and Michigan football seems like it will be in a better position with some stability if Harbaugh does ink a deal soon.

Wright has some crystal ball predictions for USC and the Los Angeles product could very well stay home with the Trojans, but Michigan is a leading contender. Wright even took a self-guided visit to Ann Arbor and if the Wolverines can capitalize on their momentum, maybe they have a shot.

George Rooks/Drew Kendall

I don’t spend too much time on these guys because both of their recruitments were frustrating. Michigan was the crystal ball leader for Drew Kendall and George Rooks each at one time. Both have waffled throughout this process and neither signed early.

Kendall has crystal ball picks sending him to Boston College, which Rooks does too, along with Penn State and Michigan (still).

So, the Wolverines are far from the favorite in either recruitment, but they have solid relationships with both, although that could change with new defensive coaches being a strong possibility, but still, as four-star recruits in the top 200, Michigan should keep recruiting them until they sign.