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National Signing Day Primer

The early National Signing Day for the class of 2020 is coming up tomorrow, December 18, 2019. For the past few years, NSD has lost some of its luster when everything worked up to a froth in February. Now kids can sign in December or January. That’s good in some ways and bad in others.

But for our purposes, we want to know what’s going on tomorrow.

QUESTION #1: WILL THERE BE ANY BAD SURPRISES?
In short, no, I don’t think there will be. We will probably find out that there is a departure from the current commitment list, but not to one of the top-rated commits. The one who has garnered the most hand-wringing is safety Jordan Morant from Oradell (NJ) Bergen Catholic, who has taken a couple visits elsewhere. There has also been some concern that he would stay home and go to Rutgers. By all accounts he is expected to sign with Michigan.

Hit the jump for more.

2021 Recruiting Update: Offense

In the ever-evolving recruiting world, it’s almost impossible these days to keep up with writing about Michigan’s recruiting. Wrapping up the 2020 class and with 2021 and 2022 offers flying out, there’s just too much going on. There are 345 offers out to 2020 kids, 218 to 2021 kids, and 63 to players in the 2022 class.

So I’m going to try something a little different. If there’s an important offer at a key position, a local kid, a legacy recruit, etc., I will expand on those offers a little bit. If it’s a guy halfway across the country who’s unlikely to give Michigan more than a fleeting glance, I’m just going to note the offer and move on.

Michigan’s current 2021 class looks like this:

• QB J.J. McCarthy
• OT Giovanni El-Hadi

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2021

Caleb Banks – OT – Southfield (MI) Southfield: Banks is a 6’6″, 250 lb. prospect with offers from Indiana and a bunch of MAC schools like Michigan State. He’s a 247 Sports 3-star, the #50 offensive tackle, and #496 overall. He visited Michigan in mid-November and was offered on the trip. Banks is very raw and very athletic; he could also end up playing defensive end, depending on how his body grows.

Ru’Quan Buckley – OG – Grand Rapids (MI) Godwin Heights: Buckley is a 6’5″, 260-pounder with offers from Iowa State, Kentucky, and Nebraska, among others. He’s a 3-star, the #51 strongside end, and #915 overall. His future position is also a little bit unclear: is he an OG, and OT, a DE, or a DT? I see him as an interior offensive lineman right now.

Hit the jump for more.

Alex VanSumeren, Wolverine

Essexville (MI) Garber defensive tackle Alex VanSumeren committed to Michigan on Monday. He picked the Wolverines over offers from Central Michigan and Kentucky.

Van Sumeren is listed at 6’3″ and 270 lbs. He was recently named all-state in 6A. As a sophomore in 2019, he made 91 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks.

RATINGS
ESPN: N/A
Rivals: N/A
247 Sports: N/A

Hit the jump for more on VanSumeren’s commitment.

2019 Team Awards

Michigan had its post-season banquet last night and handed out its season awards. Here’s a list:

Bo Schembechler Most Valuable Player: QB Shea Patterson
Offensive Player of the Year: WR Nico Collins
Defensive Player of the Year: LB Joshua Uche
Hugh Rader (Offensive Line) Players of the Year: LG Ben Bredeson, LT Jon Runyan Jr.
Richard Katcher (DE/OLB) Players of the Year: DE Aidan Hutchinson, DE Kwity Paye
Offensive Skill Player of the Year: WR Ronnie Bell
Defensive Skill Player of the Year: CB Ambry Thomas
Special Teams Player of the Year: LB Khaleke Hudson
Roger Zatkoff (Linebacker) Award: LB Jordan Glasgow
Offensive Rookie (Freshman) of the Year: RB Zach Charbonnet
Defensive Rookie (Freshman) of the Year: S Daxton Hill
Special Teams Rookie (Freshman) of the Year: WR/KR Giles Jackson
Offensive Most Improved Player of the Year: RB Hassan Haskins
Defensive Most Improved Player of the Year: S Brad Hawkins
Special Teams Most Improved Player of the Year: FB Peter Bush
Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year: C Zach Carpenter
Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year: DE David Ojabo
Special Teams Scout Team Player of the Year: S Jared Davis
Toughest Player Award: FB/DT Ben Mason
Blue Collar Award: LB Jordan Glasgow
Robert P. Ufer Bequest (Senior with Most Enthusiasm): TE Joe Files
Dr. Arthur D. Robinson Award: S Louis Grodman

2020 Recruiting Update: December 16, 2019

EARLY SIGNING PERIOD

The early signing period begins this Wednesday, December 18.

COMMITMENT

Jaylen Harrell – DE – Tampa (FL) Berkeley Prep: Harrell committed to Michigan (LINK).

Hit the jump for more.