Austin (TX) Westlake defensive end Ethan Burke flipped from Michigan to Texas on National Signing Day. Burke was offered by Michigan in November and committed on December 1 (LINK), leaving behind a chance to play lacrosse at Maryland.
Fast forward a couple weeks, and the home state Texas Longhorns offered him. Rumors started to come out just before National Signing Day that he would stay home instead of moving to Ann Arbor.
It’s hard to blame a kid for that type of change of heart. When the big-time hometown school finally comes knocking, we expect that to have some sway for kids in Michigan, like it has done with guys like Vincent Gray, who decommitted from Missouri to pick Michigan.
The reason this hurts Michigan, in my opinion, is that I think Burke can be pretty good in college. I gave him a TTB Rating of 83; though he needs some physical and technical development, he’s a really good athlete for a 6’7″, 225 lb. kid. Furthermore, Michigan needs some edge rushers in this class. Despite the fact that Aidan Hutchinson was a Heisman finalist and David Ojabo has 11 sacks, Michigan has suffered decommitments from Burke and Mario Eugenio (Cincinnati), while outside linebacker commit Kevonte Henry is not signing in December and is flirting with Washington.
Austin (TX) Westlake defensive end Ethan Burke (image via 247 Sports)
Austin (TX) Westlake defensive end Ethan Burke committed to Michigan on Wednesday. Burke chose the Wolverines over offers from Baylor, Nebraska, Texas Tech, and Utah, among others.
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Here is an early list of players who are planning to head to Ann Arbor for The Game.
2022
Zeke Berry – S – Concord (CA) De La Salle: Berry is a 6’0″, 185-pounder with offers from Michigan, Oregon, and UCLA; he decommitted from Arizona. He’s a 4-star, the #19 safety, and #227 overall. This is an official visit.
Ethan Burke – DE – Austin (TX) Westlake: Burke is a 6’7″, 225 lb. prospect with offers from Baylor, Kansas State, Michigan, and Texas Tech, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 3-star and the #40 edge player. This is an official visit.
Joshua Conerly – OT – Seattle (WA) Rainier Beach: Conerly is a 6’5″, 275-pounder with offers from Michigan, Oregon, and USC, among others. He’s a 5-star, the #3 offensive tackle, and #19 overall. He already took an official visit to Michigan – and an unofficial – so this will be his third trip to Ann Arbor. UPDATE: Conerly is no longer planning to visit.
Kiyaunta Goodwin – OT – Charlestown (IN) Charlestown: Goodwin is a 6’8″, 340 lb. prospect who’s committed to Kentucky. He also has offers from Alabama and Michigan, among others. He’s a 5-star, the #5 offensive tackle, and #30 overall.
Kenneth Grant – DT – Merrillville (IN) Merrillville: Grant is committed to Michigan.
Kevonte Henry – LB – Lawndale (CA) Leuzinger: Henry is committed to Michigan (LINK).
Domani Jackson – CB – Santa Ana (CA) Mater Dei: Jackson is a 6’1″, 185 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama and Michigan, along with a bunch of others. He also just decommitted from USC last week. He’s a 5-star, the #2 cornerback, and #6 overall. He has developed a good relationship with Michigan commit Will Johnson (see below), who has been a big positive in Jackson’s recruitment. Jackson took an official visit back in September, so this is an unofficial.
