Michigan Football Recruiting: Rashan Gary commits to Michigan

Rashan Gary, The consensus #1 overall player in the country, from Paramus Catholic (Paramus, NJ), has committed to Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines.

Rashan Gary (6’5″, 293), is the #1 ranked defensive tackle and the unanimous #1 overall player across all major recruiting services. His commitment to the Michigan Wolverines should solidify Jim Harbaugh lands a top five recruiting class in his first full cycle.

Gary will play a defensive end/defensive tackle type hybrid role at Michigan, similar to the one occupied by Chris Wormley. He may not be listed as a day one starter but don’t get it twisted, he will be heavily involved in the defensive line rotation. His ability to play multiple spots at elite levels will give Don Brown the freedom to unleash his blitz packages from all over the field.

Gary was recruited and offered by almost every elite program in the nation. Michigan has been considered a favorite from the beginning. Schools have posed threats to Michigan along the way, Alabama was considered a contender, then Auburn, Ole Miss, USC, and the latest Clemson. But the one thing that never changed was that they were always competing with Michigan.

Michigan has a lot going for it football wise, with regards to Gary. The defensive scheme will allow Gary to fully maximize his potential and will feature his best skills. Michigan is loaded with former NFL coaches. Chris Patridge, Michigan’s linebackers coach, is Gary’s former high school coach. Gary’s two closest friends, Kareem Walker and Michael Dwumfour, are already committed to Michigan. Another close friend whom Gary seeks advice from is Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers.

Rashan Gary has also stressed how important his education is to him. He plans to major in business. Michigan has one of the best business schools in the country, ranked tenth nationally. None of the other schools he was considering were close, other than USC at twenty-five.

When you combine education, close friends, confidants, NFL scheme, and playing time, its easy to see why Michigan stood out so clearly for Gary. He is the type of player that changes programs. It will be fun watching how Harbaugh plans on utilizing the big man. My guess is it’ll be must see TV.

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