Michigan met a primary need in the 2021 class on Wednesday and did so by rejecting a prospect of its competitor in the state.
The four-star Oak-Park defense attack was signed by Rayshaun Benny, who has been verbally assigned to the state of Michigan since November, at the Wolverines’ traditional signing day on Wednesday.
The 6-foot-5, 275-pound apparently had a late change of heart. He told Detroit News on Tuesday that he intended to sign with the Spartans, but the Wolverines and their revamped coaching staff continued to push hard.
Benny, who has had 32 tackles and 5 1/2 pockets in five games this season, becomes the Wolverines ‘leading defensive line in the 2021 class at number 195, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. He is the number 6 player in Michigan.
Michigan did not deliver any defensive prospects during the early signing period in December, but added two four-stars to the position over the past week. St. Peter’s Prep, Jersey City (NJ), George Rooks, joined the Wolverines last Wednesday.
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Benny joins Rooks, four-star Kechaun Bennett, three-star TJ Guy and three-star Dominick Giudice as defensive lineouts in Michigan’s 2021 class. Bennett, Guy and Giudice are all listed as finalists, although Giudice is likely to move in at the university level.
Meanwhile, MSU is losing its best position in Mel Tucker’s 2021 class. Benny was the only 2021 recruiter who did not sign in December.
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The 2021 class of Michigan in 2221 rises by one place to number 10 on the national rankings, while MSU falls to number 48. Jim Harbaugh and his staff are also giving another defensive outlook on Wednesday. All four of the 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions are in favor of Michigan landing Garland (Texas)’s Lakeview Centennial three-star Ikechukwu Iwunnah, who is set to head to Colorado on January 19.