There was some hope that Michigan football could hold all of its 2021 commitments, but linebacker Branden Jennings is trending elsewhere.
Early signing day looks like it will be filled with excitement for Michigan football, but very early on Wednesday, the Wolverines should expect to get some bad news.
That’s because it looks like Michigan football will lose one of its current 2021 commitments, linebacker Branden Jennings, who actually was the last player to commit in this class.
Jennings is ranked 109th overall and as the No. 7 outside linebacker in the 2021 class according to the 247 sports composite rankings. But Maryland has been making an aggressive push for him and the uncertainty surrounding head coach Jim Harbaugh has only made that easier.
At this point, when Jennings signs his national letter of intent, which he now says he will do tomorrow morning, it looks like it will be to go to Maryland. Not all of his crystal ball picks have flipped but Steve Wiltfong is one and Sam Webb of the Michigan Insider is another.
If it plays out that way, it will be a tough loss for the Wolverines, but Junior Colson is all set to sign and if Michigan football can keep Jaydon Hood, it won’t hurt as much. Still, I really liked Jennings and it’s tough to see him go.
Hopefully, he will be the only flip tomorrow.
Positive momentum with others
While the prevailing winds are headed in the wrong direction with Jennings, things seem to going to the exact opposite way for Xavier Worthy. Obviously, we won’t know anything for sure until he puts pen to paper but there’s positive buzz from all the sources right now and his crystal ball picks have held with Michigan for now.
There is also increased confidence with Donovan Edwards, the four-star running back from the state of Michigan as Allen Trieu another 247 expert, upped his confidence level. That’s happened more than once over the past couple of days.
The confidence level for the eight crystal picks (all to Michigan) for Edwards have increased from a six to a seven. Georgia is the main contender here, so let’s not count our eggs before they hatch, but there are more reasons than not to believe Edwards will be a Wolverine come ESD.
If U-M is also able to keep Worthy, that will be a coup and I have a feeling that J.J. McCarthy will have played a part in that if it happens.
The other thing to keep an eye on is Rayshaun Benny. EJ Holland of Rivals is reporting that Benny won’t be signing with Michigan State ($) tomorrow and while that doesn’t mean he’s going to flip, if Michigan gets Edwards and Harbaugh gets a new deal, U-M could have a shot.
Andrel Anthony tweeted something about a surprise for Michigan fans on Twitter and some have speculated that’s about Benny or Edwards. We’ll see but if Benny doesn’t ink with MSU, that means Michigan is still in it.
Signing day is going to be wild, but it sounds like all in all, it could be a good day.
