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
Reuben Fatheree II – OT – Richmond (TX) Foster: Fatheree is a 6’8″, 300 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Oregon, and Texas A&M, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #4 offensive tackle, and #25 overall. He claims a 5.36 forty and a 4.83 shuttle, both of which are solid numbers for a guy that size, even if he were entering the NFL Draft.
Agiye Hall – WR – Seffner (FL) Armwood: Hall is a 6’3″, 190 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, and Florida State, among others. He has very good acceleration and will be a big-time prospect when the rankings come out, in my opinion.
Cody Jackson – WR – Richmond (TX) Foster: Jackson is a 6’0″, 169-pounder with offers from Baylor, Houston, LSU, Texas, and Texas Tech, among others. As a sophomore in 2018, he caught 57 passes for 1,053 yards and 12 touchdowns. He’s a teammate of Reuben Fatheree (see above).
Jason Marshall, Jr. – CB – Miami (FL) Palmetto: Marshall is a 6’2″, 180 lb. prospect with offers from Florida, Florida State, Miami, and Oregon, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #4 cornerback, and #41 overall.
Ga’Quincy McKinstry – CB – Pinson (AL) Valley: McKinstry is a 6’1″, 175-pounder with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, and Georgia, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #2 cornerback, and #30 overall. He made 30 tackles and 5 picks as a sophomore, along with 37 catches for 480 yards and 9 touchdowns. Michigan is recruiting him for both offense and defense, while UAB has offered him for basketball, so he’s a very talented all-around athlete.
Payton Page – DT – Greensboro (NC) Dudley: Page is a 6’4″, 315 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, among others. As a sophomore in 2018, he made 80 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, and 8 sacks.
Greg Penn III – LB – Hyattsville (MD) DeMatha: Penn is a 6’1″, 225-pounder with offers from Florida, LSU, Maryland, and Penn State, among others. DeMatha is a powerhouse program that pronounces numerous FBS prospects every year, including Maryland running back Anthony McFarland, Jr. and 2019 Alabama safety signee DeMarcco Hellams.
Jahquez Robinson – CB – Jacksonville (FL) Sandalwood: Robinson is a 6’1″, 174 lb. prospect who committed to Alabama a week ago; he also has offers from Florida State, LSU, and Oklahoma, and he has set up an official to Oklahoma in April, so he’s still open to other schools (which he should be since he’s still two years away from signing). He’s a 3-star, the #41 cornerback, and #562 overall.
Shedeur Sanders – QB – Cedar Hill (TX) Trinity: Sanders is a 6’1″, 180-pounder with offers from Florida, Florida State, Georgia, and a bunch of others. He’s the son of Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders, who of course went to Florida State.
Jaquez Smith – S – Atlanta (GA) Hapeville: Smith is a 6’1″, 190 lb. prospect with offers from Georgia and Georgia Tech, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #4 safety, and #58 overall. I think he has the potential to grow into an outside linebacker as his body develops.
Najee Story – DE – Solon (OH) Solon: Story is a 6’4″, 220-pounder with offers from Notre Dame, Ohio State, and West Virginia. His crystal ball already has six picks for the Buckeyes.
Desmond Watson – DT – Seffner (FL) Armwood: Watson is a 6’5″, 315 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, and Ohio State, among others. He’s a teammate of Agiye Hall (see above).
