Michigan Football: Breaking down commitment of 4-star LB

Michigan football added a commitment from four-star linebacker Jimmy Rolder and here’s what his pledge means for the Wolverines. 

Despite a really strong year on the field, Michigan football hasn’t seen it translate in a big way to the recruiting trail in the 2022 class.

But Tuesday, the Wolverines landed another key addition and that came with the commitment of four-star linebacker Jimmy Rolder.

Rolder was a fast-rising prospect that ranks 329th overall in the 247 sports composite rankings. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound linebacker is viewed as more of an old-school linebacker and was once a baseball commitment to Illinois.

Rolder recently visited Ohio State and was offered by a number of Big Ten programs, as well as some in the SEC such as LSU. So he was highly sought after and it’s a big recruiting win for the Wolverines following his commitment which he announced on Twitter.

Here’s the scouting report on Rolder from 247 sports:

"“Physically has the size to play his style of ball at the Power Five level. Big hitter who plays with aggressiveness and shows explosion through his tackles. D1 baseball prospect who has a 6.92 60 down, a very good time for someone of his size. Uses that to get to the ball carrier on the football field and can get to the edges to make plays. Have not seen him in coverage as much but looks to have the athletic ability to do that. Has played some defensive end but projects as a true MIKE who could rush the passer in passing situations.”"

Big picture for Michigan football recruiting

The Wolverines 2022 class isn’t loaded with four stars in the 247 sports composite and Rolder is actually the fourth among 18 verbal commitments.

We’ve made the argument that several other commitments such as Myles Pollard, Colston Loveland, Kenneth Grant, and Kevonte Henry should all be composite four-star recruits but it remains to be seen if they get bumps in the final rankings.

At any rate, Rolder fits really well with the other linebacker commits who are Aaron Alexander, Deuce Spurlock, and Micah Pollard. Pollard is also a pass rusher and could be shifted more outside with another linebacker joining the class.

Rolder feels like a Josh Ross-type linebacker or Jake Ryan who is another comparison I have seen. You need those guys in the middle of the defense and he was personally offered by Jim Harbaugh and made a top priority for the defensive staff.

It was also a head-to-head win against Ohio State on the recruiting trail which is always a positive sign and hopefully, it’s the start of a strong finish for Michigan in 2022.