lugard edokpayi

Michigan's one biggest unfilled need in the 2024 class was a pass-rushing edge. They had one of their favorite ceilings in Elias Rudolph out of Cincinnati, but That Miami yanked him out in mid-August. They had a high floor too in Jacob Smith, but both he and his heavier twin Jerod decommitted for Kentucky. Jerod was no big loss given Michigan had a high ceiling and floor committed for the Heavy position in Devon Baxter and Dominic Nichols, respectively. But Michigan has been wanting a freaky edge-bender since Ojabo left early, and suddenly found themselves back in the mixer for the senior risers, basketball switchers, late growth spurts, and scouting finds.

Fast forward to signing day and say hello to Lugard "Lu" Edokpayi, a late-growth spurt, senior-rising, basketball-convert scouting find who's been shooting up the rankings. Michigan jumped into the mix in November and quickly shooed off the various Minnesotas and Virginias that had been buzzing around him since the first two weeks of his senior film hit the circuit. It came down to Wolverines and Terps after a Texas A&M trip ended up getting canceled for hometown Maryland, and his Ann Arbor visit was extended over the day he was planning on being in Tallahassee, which is usually a good sign where the wind's blowing.

And oh what storm. The scouts agree: this guy has the balance to ride on the winds, legs to run to the sounds of thunder, feet to dance among lightning bolts, and arms to tear the world asunder. All that's left is to teach him to play the game of football.

GURU RATINGS

These changed in just the last few days; Edokpayi was an 88 and in the 560s to 247 as of last Friday and unranked before mid-September. And now:

Note that Rivals hasn't ranked him yet, so his position and state rankings are one spot behind the last ranked four-star.

[AFTER THE JUMP: Taco watch: We have the ingredients to make tacos.]