Michigan Tuesday: Recruiting News and Gary Heads To The NFL

The Michigan coaches don't have time to drown their sorrows on a beach somewhere after the train wreck on Saturday.   They have to hit the recruiting trail as home visits are now available and signing day is quickly approaching.   

Here is what we know so far:

• Coach Washington was out to see Gabe Newburg 
• Coach Moore out to see Erik All 
• Coach Mattison is expected to visit Purdue commit George Karlaftis this week

Michigan is also on commit watch as someone is expected to announce they are attending Michigan real soon. 

Michigan also lost a couple of recruits that won't cause any concern.   The first was Michigan's lowest rated recruit in the 2019 class DE Tyrece Woods who de-committed on Thanksgiving.  Many believe Michigan asked Woods to look for other options with a number of top ranked guys still considering Michigan for the 2019 class.   This strategy probably doesn't help Michigan's relationship with Belleville High School moving forward.  

Yesterday, 2020 RB Tim Baldwin de-committed after committing a few weeks ago during a visit for the Penn State game.   This is a clear example of a kid getting excited during a visit and pulling the trigger a bit too early.

This time of year I guess Michigan's Board for top recruits in order of importance:

1. 5 Star DE Zach Harrison 
2. 4 Star DE George Karlaftis 
3. 5 star Athlete Quavaris Crouch 
4. 4 Star OT Trevor Keegan 
5. 4 Star LB Kalen DeLoach
6. 3 Star OT Dawand Jones 
7. 4 Star WR Cornelius Johnson

Michigan has 24 commits but Eric Gray is considered a "soft" commit and is expected to de-commit unless something changes.    I expect Michigan will take 4-6 more players in this class.  

Speaking of things that did come as a surprise, Rashan Gary announced he is entering the NFL Draft on Monday. Gary was Michigan's highest ranked recruit in the recruiting services era per 24/7.

He was a quiet leader at U of M and had a quiet productive 3 years.  He is ranked #8 on Mel Kiper's Big Board and is making the right decision.   I don't expect he will play in the bowl game, even though he hasn't announced his bowl game intentions yet.