Early Signing Day 2021 Primer
Welcome to Early Signing Day, 2021 edition, for the 2022 class. Our annual Signing Day Livepod will be at 5pm this evening, with special guest Steve Lorenz from 247 Sports. Tune in wherever Youtubes are played, or catch the podcast version after. The 2022 Recruiting Board lives here or you could use 247's much better one. Please do not share paywalled info.
Also note: This article is stickied to remain on top most of today. Scroll down for news posted today:
- Alex Orji Has Committed to Michigan
- Hello: Keon Sabb
- Amorion Walker Has Committed to Michigan
- Exit: Ethan Burke
- Hello: Darrius Clemons
- Derrick Moore Has Committed to Michigan
THE CLASS AS IT STANDS
This section will be updated throughout the day. Board thread may be more up to date.
| OFFENSE | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Player | State | Stars | In a nutshell | LOI |
| QB | Jayden Denegal | CA | 3.9⬇ | Navarre or Speight | ✓ |
| QB | Alex Orji | TX | 3.6 | QB/Fullback | ✓ |
| RB | CJ Stokes | SC | 3.7 | SC hesitated, Hart didn’t, Stokes doesn't. | ✓ |
| WR | Tyler Morris | IL | 4.3⬇ | Golden Tate smooth. | ✓ |
| WR | Darrius Clemons | OR | 4.5 | From EL, friends w Andrel. Tall and fast | ✓ |
| ATH | Amorion Walker | LA | 3.8 | ND flip. Springy, tall, could also be a CB/S | ✓ |
| TE | Colston Loveland | ID | 3.9⬆ | Flex by own admission | ✓ |
| TE | Marlin Klein | GA | 3.7 | Grow-a-dude | ✓ |
| OT | Andrew Gentry | CO | 4.5 | 6'8 2020 UVA commit went on Mormon mission | ✓ |
| OT | Alessandro Lorenzetti | CT | 3.8⬆ | Quebecois steal, if workouts are to be believed. | ✓ |
| OG | Connor Jones | CO | 3.6⬆ | Puts water in the harbor. | ✓ |
| DEFENSE | |||||
| Pos | Player | State | Stars | In a nutshell | |
| NT | Kenneth Grant | IN | 3.9⬆ | Mammoth. | ✓ |
| DT | Mason Graham | CA | 4.0⬆⬆ | Wrestler, non-stop motor, late riser. | ✓ |
| DE/DT | Derrick Moore | MD | 4.6 | Oklahoma decommit, DE/DT tweener | ✓ |
| EDGE | Kevonte Henry* | CA | 4.1⬆⬆ | Uche edgebacker. | |
| EDGE | Micah Pollard | FL | 3.7 | Braylon nephew, Marcus son, OLB/DE | ✓ |
| LB | Jimmy Rolder | IL | 4.1⬆⬆ | Athletic late riser | ✓ |
| LB | Deuce Spurlock | AL | 3.5 | Grow-a-WILL. | ✓ |
| LB | Aaron Alexander | MI | 3.6⬆ | Raw hybrid from Belleville. | |
| HSP | Keon Sabb | NJ(IMG) | 4.5⬇ | Peppers but thicc | ✓ |
| S | Zeke Berry | CA | 4.4⬆ | Peppers-ish accelerator. | ✓ |
| S | Damani Dent | FL | 3.6⬆ | Rising athletic CBish safety. | ✓ |
| CB | Will Johnson | MI | 4.8 | Everything and tall. Deon's kid. | ✓ |
| CB | Kody Jones | TN | 3.9⬇ | Nickel athlete, Walter Nolen's pal. | ✓ |
| CB | Myles Pollard | TN | 3.6⬇ | Stribling. Loved you on Colson’s film! | ✓ |
*tenuously. The board.
TARGETS SIGNED ELSEWHERE
This section will also be updated throughout the day.
ANNOUNCEMENT TIMES OF INTEREST
10:00 AM WR AMORION WALKER (LA, 3*) Michigan has been close to poaching this Notre Dame commit for some time, with both sides expressing confidence. Update: Chose Michigan.
10:45 AM DT DEONE WALKER (Cass Tech, 4*) has been a battle with Kentucky that’s reportedly going down to the wire. Both schools got recent official visits, and Walker stopped by Michigan for the umpteenth time after the trip to Lexington. On3 reported he’ll sign “sometime between 6 and 9 AM” while Rivals posted 10:45 AM on their schedule. Latest this morning is that this is trending to Kentucky after Michigan held a slim lead last night. Update: Chose Kentucky.
10:50 AM S/HSP KEON SABB (NJ via IMG, 4.5*) said he plans to sign with his chosen school today. He recently decommitted from Clemson after an official visit to see Michigan beat Ohio State. Which they did, beat Ohio State. Michigan did. 42-27 in fact. Many people don’t know this. Sabb knows this however because he was there when Michigan beat Ohio State 42-27. Sabb is thought to be down to Michigan or Georgia. Update: Chose Michigan.
2:45 PM: DE/DT DERRICK MOORE (MD, 4.5*) is deciding between Michigan and Ole Miss. Signs pointed to Michigan when Moore decommitted from Oklahoma recently, but Ole Miss has been making their pitch. He stopped there last week then went straight to a Michigan visit all last weekend. Update: Chose Michigan.
3:00 PM: WR DARRIUS CLEMONS (OR via MI, 4*) has had an interesting recruitment that seems to have come back around to Michigan. Clemons is originally from Lansing, and is childhood friends with Andrel Anthony, but moved to Oregon last year, and seemed ticketed for Auburn until Michigan beat Ohio State, 42-27. Ask Keon Sabb about it. Update: Chose Michigan.
3:00 PM: Will Johnson signing ceremony (after school)
3:00 PM: ATH (WR/S) KOEN ENTRINGER (Walled Lake, 3*) Took a recent official to Iowa and is expected to sign there. Michigan made a late push for the local riser, but via Sam Webb the depth charts at Michigan seem a little more daunting than those of Iowa (despite Iowa beating Ohio State out for a local 5-star safety this cycle). Update: Chose Iowa.
4:00 PM: Kenneth Grant signing ceremony (after school in IN)
5:00 PM: The Signing Day Livepod.
PLAYERS OF INTEREST, NO ANNOUCEMENT TIME:
EDGE commit ETHAN BURKE (TX, 3*) is close to flipping to Texas via 247 and On3 last night. Update: He signed with UT at 9:30.
S commit DAMANI DENT (FL, 3*) recently picked up heavy interest from new staffs at Florida and Miami (YTM). The recruiting sites haven’t had time to investigate if it’s been reciprocated yet. Update: his LOI is in.
LB commit DEUCE SPURLOCK (AL, 3*) told Sam Webb that he still intends to sign with Michigan despite new interest from new defensive staffs at Florida and Clemson. Update: his LOI is in.
QB ALEX ORJI (TX, 3*). Virginia Tech commit who took a trip to Michigan last weekend. Recent movement with other candidates seems to have shifted Orji to a priority for Michigan, and Sam Webb and others are now saying he's a take. Update: Chose Michigan.
WR DANE KEY (KY, 3*) Kentucky legacy from Lexington who committed to Kentucky, but Michigan hasn’t stopped calling. Would be a big surprise if he flips. Update: Signed with Kentucky.
QB BRYCE ARCHIE (GA, 3*). Another QB who was recently on campus, might be an option later. For now we’re seeing if he signs with Coastal Carolina or has them wait until February.
NOT SIGNING TODAY
OT target JOSHUA CONERLY (WA, 5*) is another recruitment that was trending to Michigan before we lost Morgan. Conerly has taken trips to USC and might give Washington another look. He’ll make his decision in February; Michigan seems to have the inside track but a lot of race left.
EDGE commit KEVONTE HENRY (CA, 4*) is going to wait for the February signing day. This is the recruit most affected by the departure of Courtney Morgan. He was reportedly leaning towards following Morgan to Washington.
OT "target" KIYANUTA GOODWIN (IN, 5*) was thought to be a bidding war that MSU had locked up over Texas A&M and Kentucky. Today Goodwin held a sponsored press conference to say he's not signing. Mad respect to this man's troll game, even though Michigan is only peripherally involved in this. Update: He rescheduled for 3:30 PM and said he's deciding between MSU and Kentucky. Mad, mad respect. Update to the update: Now he says 5PM.
A FULLBACK. Harrumph.
December 15th, 2021 at 7:09 AM ^
I understand why someone with a lot of ability might want to play college football at Alabama or LSU or Clemson or USC or UCLA or ND or Ohio State rather than Michigan. To each his own. But I cannot fathom what the attraction is about Kentucky, a basketball school all the way with no history of winning in football and no Pacific beaches nearby to commend it. Loves mint juleps? Likes to watch horse racing? The NIL money is better? The campus hostesses are prettier?
December 15th, 2021 at 7:17 AM ^
It’s been discussed on the board but here are a few reasons:
- Closest SEC school
- Lexington is a nice college town
- Stoops is a good coach
- 2nd best team in the SEC East last year
I personally agree. You couldn’t make me go to Kentucky, but I’m sure people wonder about Iowa city and Madison from that part of the country too.
December 15th, 2021 at 8:38 AM ^
Can't believe that you grouped Iowa City & Madison together - irrespective of the fact that you were referencing generic people from "that part of the country". IC is cool, but Madison is magical. Holy crap, do I live that city. Well, like 9 months out of the year. OK, maybe closer to 4... but those 4 are SPECIAL!
December 15th, 2021 at 9:13 AM ^
Madison is an amazing city. Lakes, the capitol, the campus: it's gorgeous.
Iowa City is...not that. But the football atmosphere is so much better. Wisconsin's stadium has a Yost-inspired field house that gives Camp Randall some charm, but the area around the stadium is best described as a sea of beer cups. Kinnick is magical.
December 15th, 2021 at 9:36 AM ^
Spent a lot of time in IC as an undergrad playing ball in that next of the woods and my younger brother spent 4 years on a full ride at UW and lives there currently. I’ve honestly been to more games at Camp Randall over the last 5 years then the Big House because of it, so I’ve spent a ton of time in both. The point was really that going to play at either Iowa or Wisconsin is generally speaking a pretty cool experience and are, in my opinion, the 2 best landing spots in the B1G that aren’t the Blue Bloods (UM, OSU, PSU).
UK is a SEC facsimile to both of those places. Great atmosphere, competitive, and on the easy side of the conference.
December 15th, 2021 at 1:07 PM ^
in that next of the woods
Huh?
December 15th, 2021 at 4:13 PM ^
Madison and Iowa City are very similar. I live in Iowa City, and have family in Madison so v familiar with both. The only benefit Madison has is the burbs are nicer but if you're talking about Madison proper, it's got v little on IC.
- Someone who would actually know
December 15th, 2021 at 7:58 AM ^
Playing time, SEC, UK isnt a terrible school, Lexington is a fun town. Not everyone thinks Ann Arbor is Mecca and that’s okay.
December 15th, 2021 at 2:19 PM ^
Mecca? More like Athens.
December 15th, 2021 at 9:31 AM ^
I have never understood this take from the Michigan fanbase, or for that matter, any of the "how could [player x] choose any school other than Michigan, Michigan is perfect etc etc etc"
Especially in terms of Lexington and Knoxville... have any of y'all actually been there for a gameday? Partied there? It's not like these are hole in the wall towns in rural Alberta. These are fun places with rabid fanbases. Michigan has a lot going for it but y'all need to put yourselves in the shoes of 17/18 year olds not deeply analytical 45 year olds who make career decisions based on "how has the success of my position group translated to the next level" rather than "how attractive the girls were at that club"
December 15th, 2021 at 9:56 AM ^
Lexington doesnt have near the culture of Ann Arbor or Detroit, it's a soulless city. And college football is a nothing sport in KY, people barely know its a thing. Almost nobody in KY watches KY football except people from Lexington.
Culturally, competitively, academically, basically everything except winter is better at M. (Winter is better too)
December 15th, 2021 at 2:54 PM ^
Soulless city? I fail to see how one could come to that conclusion other than sheer inexperience. Unless you're touting to Motown Records as soul, I'm not seeing how Detroit is categorically superior to Lexington in the "soul" arena. Not a knock on Detroit, it was the example given.
People across the state absolutely watch Kentucky football when they're relatively good, which they are right now. It will always be second to basketball, however Mark Stoops is presiding over the most successful run in the program's history... in the SEC... near enough for many mid-western recruits' parents to attend... Success in one sport doesn't preclude a school from achieving it in another.
December 15th, 2021 at 9:58 AM ^
Can confirm that the Knoxville game experience is premium. Can also report that Lexington football is probably average basketball-school fare: stadium 1/2 full and those fans don't get there until well after kick-off and don't come back after half-time, students are less than enthusiastic (see also, UNC). IMHO, there might be a good culture in the making, but I don't see anything else that matches with their recent recruiting success.
December 15th, 2021 at 10:15 AM ^
Lexington may be a fine place (never been there) and Kentucky may have a rabid fanbase but it is 100% for basketball. Football is a fun little diversion while they wait for Nov 1.
I haven't seen anyone question Knoxville - which is a great town. I have been there several times and I can see how that would be a great football culture.
December 15th, 2021 at 2:01 PM ^
I have more experience with UNC. Same difference: great college town, stadium is on campus, great tailgates...BUT..nobody cares about the football. They're there to tailgate and pass the time until MBB season.
December 15th, 2021 at 4:38 PM ^
I find it super funny how you opine on what a city is like while also admitting you've never even been there, let alone spent enough time to have a meaningful take.
December 15th, 2021 at 7:12 AM ^
Seth, Jimmy Rolder is missing.
December 15th, 2021 at 7:21 AM ^
Oops. Good thing this article was made to be edited all day.
December 15th, 2021 at 7:26 AM ^
Indeed it is! Preciate all of the hardwork Seth, truly!
December 15th, 2021 at 8:19 AM ^
Seth, it's "Ope" not "Oops".
December 15th, 2021 at 9:14 AM ^
I'm from Southeast Michigan, so it would be more like "up" or "oeup."
December 15th, 2021 at 9:58 AM ^
Sounds like this offseason you need to do a county by county map of the different dialects of "oops", "ope", and "up".
December 15th, 2021 at 11:51 AM ^
Oh no you’re fine
December 15th, 2021 at 7:17 AM ^
I don't understand why more running backs arw not being pursued. It looks to me that Corum, Edwards, Dunlap, and whoever they sign in this class would be the only scholarship/recruited backs on next year's roster. Am I missing someone? That's one or two injuries from a real problem. The transfer portal might be necessary.
December 15th, 2021 at 7:24 AM ^
They had ASU transfer and Akron native DeaMonte Trayanum on campus for a visit last week. He’s a sturdier, between the tackles back. That’d place us at 5 scholarship backs. Plus Henning was a RB/WR in high school in Illinois.
December 15th, 2021 at 7:59 AM ^
Henning runs like a RB dude is a load
December 15th, 2021 at 7:54 AM ^
Still early...the portal is a quick fix once recruiting settles down.
December 15th, 2021 at 7:54 AM ^
Still early...the portal is a quick fix once recruiting settles down.
December 15th, 2021 at 9:51 AM ^
As mentioned we lead for the ASU transfer who could play a Haskins type role. They have some feelers out to another kid but Stokes seems to be the main back in the class.
the assumption is take 2 talented back next year and consider the portal. Corum and Edwards will be around so tougher to promise playing time to top guys next year
December 15th, 2021 at 7:26 AM ^
Deeply concerned that Michigan won't find a replacement for OC/DC/QB/LB Michael Barrett in this cycle.
December 15th, 2021 at 12:08 PM ^
You forgot ST specialist/analyst.
December 15th, 2021 at 7:36 AM ^
Marlin Klein
Alessandro Lorenzetti
have both signed.
Edit:
Also,
Damani Dent
CJ Stokes
Micah Pollard
Jimmy Rolder
December 15th, 2021 at 7:52 AM ^
Damani Dent is in!
December 15th, 2021 at 8:06 AM ^
I don't understand why a recruit would follow a recruiting coordinator to a new school.
December 15th, 2021 at 8:11 AM ^
...because he followed the recruiting coordinator to the old one?
December 15th, 2021 at 10:19 AM ^
I think the point is that once he's on campus, the coaching staff will affect his life way more than any recruiting coordinator will. Presumably the recruiting coordinator's job is to pitch the coaching staff, not himself personally. I'm sure certain recruiting coordinators are better than others, but it also boggles my mind that a kid would want to follow the recruiting coordinator.
It's like if you were about to buy a Ford, and in the process of doing your research on the car, you had gotten to know and respect the salesman at the Ford dealership. Then, before completing the purchase, that guy leaves and gets a job at the Chevy dealership. If you hadn't been considering a Chevy before that, would you really buy a Chevy at that point just because you liked the salesman? Presumably the features of the actual car would be the deciding factor, since you're not really going to interact with that salesman again after the purchase.
December 15th, 2021 at 11:39 AM ^
Warning, personal story: When I was applying to Michigan, meeting people in The Engineering Advising Center (and more importantly liking them, and feeling that they would be looking out for me, regardless) , made me feel better about my ability to succeed there. Maybe something similar here? i.e. Having someone you trust in "The Administration".
December 15th, 2021 at 3:06 PM ^
Great analogy!
However, maybe he's one of those people that marries their used car salesmen
December 15th, 2021 at 12:41 PM ^
I asked this on another thread and apparently Morgan promised to be a mentor to them and support them as they transition to college.
December 15th, 2021 at 8:12 AM ^
Micah Pollard ✔
December 15th, 2021 at 8:16 AM ^
It’s just after 3pm here in Iraq, I hope to hear/read some good news for the good guys today. Go Blue let’s keep the winning momentum going!!! I still need to watch the Heisman trophy show, would love to see how AH represented.
December 15th, 2021 at 8:33 AM ^
Jimmy Rolder ✔ ✔
December 15th, 2021 at 8:39 AM ^
"He recently decommitted from Clemson after an official visit to see Michigan beat Ohio State. Which they did, beat Ohio State. Michigan did. 42-27 in fact. Many people don’t know this. Sabb knows this however because he was there when Michigan beat Ohio State 42-27."
Seth you're just recycling old material from the last recruiting post...and I love it.
December 15th, 2021 at 9:15 AM ^
My purpose is to inform.
December 15th, 2021 at 8:39 AM ^
I know a lot of money is in play, but it seems odd that an end/edge would flip away from us to a school that doesn't play defense at the last minute considering what our guys did this year and other recent years (Winovich, Paye, Uche, etc.)
December 15th, 2021 at 9:18 AM ^
Who, Burke? He's from Austin and Texas finally offered. I think he chose Michigan in the first place because it was the most Texas-like school that offered him.
December 15th, 2021 at 8:40 AM ^
"Latest this morning is that this is trending to Kentucky after Michigan held a slim lead last night"
Not doubting or expressing skepticism, but every time I see these where it changes over such a short span of time I'm like, so is this kid or a confidant texting one of these recruiting insiders every single time he has a new thought, or is someone just monitoring his brain waves?
December 15th, 2021 at 9:17 AM ^
You can't sneeze at Cass Tech without a recruiting reporter knowing about it.
December 15th, 2021 at 9:47 AM ^
Seth - would you say UM has any true "pipeline" schools anymore? As a GR kind of fella, i'm a little unfamiliar with a lot of the SE HS players and coaches but it seems like CT, King, DCC and OLSM were givens to end up at UM granted players had offers of course. Or does the state of Michigan just not produce the level of talent worth worrying about in-state recruits?
Comments