In case you’re not aware, I have a list of every Michigan recruit going back 20+ years and their rankings (LINK).
Below you will find each 2021 recruit and his closest ranked comparison by position in Michigan history. This might help boost – or temper – some expectations for what we will see from the class.
Hit the jump for the comparisons.
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COMMITMENTS
Cornerback Will Johnson (LINK) and wide receiver Tay’shawn Trent (LINK) committed to Michigan.
T.J. Dudley – LB – Montgomery (AL) Catholic: Dudley is a 6’2″, 210 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, LSU, and Penn State, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #15 outside linebacker, and #171 overall. Both crystal balls for him right now are for Alabama.
Zane Durant – DE – Orlando (FL) Lake Nona: Durant is a 6’2″, 251 lb. prospect with offers from Auburn, Indiana, Penn State, and USC, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #22 strongside end, and #352 overall. As a junior in 2020, he made 40 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks. Fun fact: The last time Michigan landed a commitment from a Lake Nona product, it was quarterback Kevin Sousa during the Rich Rodriguez era, who decommitted and ended up at Wake Forest.
Kenneth Grant – DT – Merrillville (IN) Merrillville: Grant is a 6’4″, 335-pounder with offers from Illinois, Nebraska, and Purdue, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 3-star and the #67 defensive tackle. He’s the type of big dude that Michigan has not recruited much of over the past several years, a space-eater.
Hit the jump for more.
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Michigan joined what is now the Big Ten conference in 1896 and Iowa followed in 1899, but in that long span (albeit some years without official statistics), there have been a lot of big plays. Hayden Fry got Iowa’s program going in the right direction during the 1980s and 1990s, and Kirk Ferentz has continued that trend since.
Hit the jump for video if the first couple plays.
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Alex Birchmeier – OT – Ashburn (VA) Broad Run: Birchmeier is a 6’5″, 265 lb. prospect with offers from Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, and Penn State, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #2 offensive tackle, and #29 overall to 247 Sports. He attends the same high school that former Michigan running back commit Tim Baldwin attended when he committed to the Wolverines.
Monroe Freeling – OT – Mount Pleasant (NC) Oceanside Collegiate: Freeling is a 6’6″, 260-pounder with offers from Georgia, Notre Dame, Oregon, and Penn State, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #5 offensive tackle, and #63 overall to 247.
Hit the jump for more.
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