Sherrone Moore teased some good news on Sunday. Titan Davis made it come true on Monday with his commitment to the Michigan Wolverines.
Earlier this month, Davis, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound defensive lineman out of St. Louis, narrowed his recruitment down to Michigan football and Alabama.
It was always going to come down to official visits. This past weekend he was in Ann Arbor. Before that he visited Alabama, but on Sunday, Lou Esposito hinted at another defensive line commitment and it turned out to be Davis.
The defensive end had 18 tackles for loss last season for a 6A program in Missouri. He also added nine sacks. The four-star recruit is ranked No. 101 overall, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings.
Here are three thoughts on his commitment
A huge recruiting win for Michigan football
Anytime you beat Alabama head-to-head on the recruiting trail, it's a good sign. It's even better for Michigan, because it shows the Wolverines are willing to do what they need to do with NIL.
I'm not saying that's why they won this recruitment. But it seems as though teams need to be on the same playing field in that arena to have a chance, and Michigan did enough to lock down his commitment.
Getting a kid from St. Louis should be a no-brainer for Michigan compared to Alabama, except it's actually "SEC territory."
It's becoming a recruiting hotbed, though, and it's good to see the Wolverines plant their flag in St. Louis, just like they planted it in Columbus after the 13-10 win over Ohio State last November.
What Michigan is getting in Titan Davis
I love this fit for Michigan. Davis is a pass rusher but he's got the size to move inside. It feels like Davis will be the perfect five technique, although becoming a defensive tackle is possible, too.
Michigan loves long, versatile, defensive lineman. The Wolverines love the types who can play in a four-man front or a three-man front. It's possible Davis could play multiple spots, even traditional 4-3 defensive end. He's also big enough to offer some interior pass rush on third downs.
Davis is also part of an impressive defensive haul. Michigan football has three commitments on the defensive front and all three of them are blue-chip prospects via the 247 Sports composite rankings.
Michigan gained the upper hand against Ohio State by dominating in the trenches. Davis is the kind of recruit that gives the Wolverines a good chance to keep doing that in the future.
Sweet Lou
Lou Esposito has been a home-run hire for Sherrone Moore as the defensive line coach. Not only did he get the most out of Kenneth Grant, Mason Graham, and Josaiah Stewart last season, Derrick Moore and Rayshaun Benny looked like world beaters when those guys sat out the ReliaQuest Bowl.
Esposito has done well as a coach. He's a proven developer of NFL talent, and the proof is in the pudding on the recruiting trail. Kids want to play for them, and because of Lou, the Wolverines are putting together a loaded defensive line class.
McHale Blade is ranked in the top 200 (155th via On3 Industry rankings) and is 6-foot-5, 255 pounds. Alister Vallejo is a low-ranking four-star defensive tackle via the composite rankings, but he has drawn comparisons to Mason Graham.
Notre Dame fans were heartbroken about missing out on him. The Fighting Irish didn't offer Davis but 38 programs did including most of the SEC and the Big Ten.
This is the kind of defensive lineman you need to make the College Football Playoff. Carter Meadows, a 6-foot-6 EDGE, who is ranked as a five-star recruit by ON3, also visited this weekend. I wouldn't rule out a commitment there either. Regardless, landing Titan Davis is a massive recruiting win.