Michigan has been throwing out offers left and right over the past few years, which makes recruiting hard to track. I have always enjoyed evaluating players and watching film, so this is an attempt to put together the best possible class for Michigan.
These are not necessarily realistic, but rather than just saying, “I want every 5-star!”, I want to put together a somewhat attainable list of players that have impressed me.
This exercise assumes that Michigan will land 25 players in the 2021 class.
QUARTERBACK: J.J. McCarthy – La Grange Park (IL) Nazareth Academy
Ranking (247 Composite): 5-star, #2 pro-style QB, #16 overall
Scoop: McCarthy is already committed to Michigan (LINK).
Highlights: See above link
QUARTERBACK: Shedeur Sanders – Cedar Hill (TX) Trinity Christian
Ranking: 4-star, #14 pro-style QB, #238 overall
Scoop: Though he’s ranked as a pro-style quarterback, Sanders has the physical ability to be a dual-threat guy or play other skill positions. Don’t get me wrong – he’s not as blindingly fast as his dad, Deion Sanders, but he can still run well. I also like the idea of taking two quarterbacks, especially when other quarterbacks on the roster might transfer or switch positions. It would also be nice to have some of Prime Time’s star power hanging around the program.
Highlights: LINK
Hit the jump for more.
RUNNING BACK: Donovan Edwards – West Bloomfield (MI) West Bloomfield
Ranking: 4-star, #3 RB, #33 overall
Scoop: Edwards is one of the top running backs in the nation and, in my opinion, the best running back from the State of Michigan in many years. Mark Ingram was a Heisman winner and long-time NFL player, so it’s hard to go further back than 2008. It would also be a great in-state recruiting victory over the likes of Georgia and Ohio State.
Highlights: LINK
RUNNING BACK: Camar Wheaton – Garland (TX) Lakeview Centennial
Ranking: 5-star, #1 RB, #10 overall
Scoop: Wheaton has made a little bit of noise about visiting Michigan, but he’s a real long shot. Regardless, he’s the best running back I’ve seen in this class. He’s built low enough to change direction well, and he’s fast enough to erase angles in no time.
Highlights:
WIDE RECEIVER: Andrel Anthony – East Lansing (MI) East Lansing
Ranking: 3-star, #76 WR, #445 overall
Scoop: I have to admit that I find this 2021 class to be rather uninspiring overall at the wide receiver position. It’s not that there aren’t any good prospects, but it’s just not as impressive as some classes I have seen in the past. With that in mind, I say Michigan should recruit an in-state prospect who might work hard, stick around, and remain committed to the program rather than an out-of-state kid who’s more likely to transfer.
Highlights: LINK
WIDE RECEIVER: JoJo Earle – Aledo (TX) Aledo
Ranking: 4-star, #13 WR, #75 overall
Scoop: I have no reason to believe that Earle has much interest in Michigan, but boy, he is lightning in a bottle. He has great speed and acceleration.
Highlights: LINK
TIGHT END: Thomas Fidone – Council Bluffs (IA) Lewis Central
Ranking: 4-star, #1 TE, #34 overall
Scoop: Yes, it seems a bit obvious to choose the #1 tight end in the country, but he’s high on Michigan and he’s the best tight end I’ve seen in this class. He’s shorter than Rob Gronkowski, but his gait and playing style are reminiscent of Gronk, in my opinion.
Highlights: LINK
OFFENSIVE TACKLE: Garrett Dellinger – Clarkston (MI) Clarkston
Ranking: 4-star, #12 OT, #81 overall
Scoop: Dellinger is an athletic offensive line prospect who comes from within the state. I don’t always buy into the necessity of recruiting a bunch of guys from within the state unless they’re talented enough, but Dellinger has the ability. I wrote about him here (LINK).
Highlights: See above link
OFFENSIVE TACKLE: Giovanni El-Hadi – Sterling Heights (MI) Stevenson
Ranking: 4-star, #10 OT, #74 overall
Scoop: El-Hadi is already committed to Michigan (LINK).
Highlights: See above link
OFFENSIVE TACKLE: Bennett Pitcher – Deerfield (MA) Deerfield Academy
Ranking: 3-star, #31 OT, #356 overall
Scoop: I’m going to get a bit greedy here with Pitcher, who’s listed anywhere from 6’7.5″ to 6’9″ and 273 lbs. This is my kind of guy who’s an athletic tight end type with a long, lanky body. It doesn’t hurt that he has a slight physical resemblance to Taylor Lewan.
Highlights:
OFFENSIVE TACKLE: Landon Tengwall – Olney (MD) Good Counsel
Ranking: 4-star, #6 OT, #43 overall
Scoop: I don’t always buy into the body types that are ready from the jump, but Tengwall is a giant slab of muscle with very little bad weight. Michigan doesn’t necessarily need a tackle immediately, since Ryan Hayes and Jalen Mayfield should be redshirt juniors in 2021 (unless they leave early), but the 6’6″, 300 lb. Tengwall looks the part. Tengwall is athletic enough to play tackle and strong enough to play inside at guard.
Highlights:
OFFENSIVE GUARD: Rocco Spindler – Clarkston (MI) Clarkston
Ranking: 4-star, #2 OG, #47 overall
Scoop: Spindler is a nasty player with a good attitude for an offensive lineman. I did a piece on him here (LINK).
Highlights: See above link
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With your access to more info than I and with your coaching discernment I am glad you continue to post these lists. I don’t follow recruiting as closely as many but your enthusiasm makes it more fun for me and gives me some guys to keep an eye on. Thanks.
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Tossing out offers wholesale seems to be apart of Harbaugh’s recruiting philososphy. I’m not going to pretend I know the reason(s) behind it and its easy to speculate as there can be many and most are easily justified.
When Harbs was hired at Stanford the number of offers increased considerably from his Stanford predecessors and after he left David Shaw decreased those offers to more Stanford like offer numbers.
Only Harbaugh, I guess, knows for sure…………INTJohn
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Some time back I thought Edwards was a lock to go to Michigan. Now it seems theres more than smoke that he’s become a somewhat solid Buckeye lean. ala Weber I guess 2.0.
While I agree with you that signing a young man solely because he’s an instate prospect is not the way to assemble the best talent at Michigan; its still disappointing , since Harbaugh’s arrival, to see top level D1/P5 talent forsake Michigan for the likes of OSU, PSU, Wisconsin, ND not to mention any of the SEC programs.
When it comes to the top level talent Harbaugh needs a vast improvement in his recruiting of instate talent AND he needs to get a few out of Ohio. Going on his 7th class? And still no growth in locking down the State of Michigan’s P5 talent.
SMH………………INTJohn
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I know you’re a “Neon” Deion fan but seriously? Michigan needs him for “Star Power”? Desmond, Charles & Tom aka Goat don’t have enuff? Not to mention the myriad # of alums in mega other fields not simplay entertainment but science, politics, research academia on a World wide global stage?
OK, yeah Deion can add a cupl lumens to the overall total but……
seriously?……………..intjohn
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I didn’t say Michigan needs him for star power. I said “It would also be nice.”
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He said who said?
I didn’t mean it in a literal sense but metaphorically & figuratively……….
Would be great for recruiting to have one of the greatest, maybe thee greatest defensive db & return men in history on the Michigan sideline; and Deion has been there before – against a Michigan team QBd by Harbaugh in 1986. Michigan won by 2.
I’m trying to find if Deion ever got an int off JH in the NFL. If i find one I’ll be back here to post……….intjohn
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Nice post.
Would love to see Deion Sanders on the Michigan sideline but I won’t hold my breath for that.
Nor for the #1 RB in the class.
That’s a lot of tackles. I endorse this message.
Is Donovan Edwards related to Stanley and Braylon?
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