Finding hybrid pass rushers is always at the top of Don Brown’s wish list on the recruiting trail and with Josh Uche moving onto the NFL, he was in need in 2020. Well, he found a perfect fit for that need as Berkley Prep (FL) SLB/DE Jaylen Harrell has committed to Michigan.
Commitment
Scouting Report
Talk about a pure hybrid pass rusher. Harrell is bigger than Josh Uche but not as fluid of an athlete. He’ll be a guy Don Brown has playing all over and roaming around the line as a standup linebacker and with his hand in the dirt coming off the edge. He reminds me a little of Alabama OLB Anfernee Jennings, who can be a real problem rushing the quarterback. Look for Harrell to make a similar impact in Ann Arbor.
Recruitment
Harrell was a name that’s been on the coaches radar for quite some time. He received his offer from the staff back in January of 2018 as he burst onto the recruiting scene following his sophomore season, landing offers from other name brand programs, like Ohio State, Alabama and Clemson. But he was a guy that eventually looked like he’d end up staying in the Sunshine State with Miami or Florida State.
However, once the Willie Taggart era went south, Michigan really turned up the heat. The staff was able to get Harrell up to Ann Arbor in back-to-back weekends at the end of the 2019 season, which included an unofficial visit to the Ohio State game and an official for the following weekend. It was clear the Wolverines were in prime position. Once the staff made its way down to Tampa for in-home visits, it was over.
Harrell committed to Michigan in mid-December, giving the program its 23rd commitment and its first commit since the end of July. He’s expected to sign during the Early Signing Period.
- Height: 6’4”
- Weight: 235lbs
- Hometown (School): Tampa, FL (Berkley Prep)
- Notable Offers: Florida State, Miami, Ohio State, Alabama, Clemson
- Rankings: Rivals (3*, #33 OLB) – 247Sports (3*, #20 WDE) – ESPN (4*, #172 overall)
- Composite Ranking: Four-star, #303 Overall, #13 WDE, #52 in Florida
Highlights
As for the Rest of the Class
Harrell is the 23rd overall commitment, the 4th defensive lineman/6th linebacker, and just the first commitment from Florida in the 2020 class. The staff is heading into Early Signing Period with a really nice class that only has a handful of top targets remaining. That includes a trio of tackles in OT Andrew Gentry, OT James Pogorelc, OT Ozzy Trapilo.
Michigan is also pushing hard for top 100 QB CJ Stroud, but with that not looking the best at the moment, keep an eye on QB Dan Villari. The other big name to keep an eye on is CB Darion Green-Warren, who looks to be favoring the Wolverines following his official visit. We’ll see if they can hold the lead and get a signature.
Photo Credit: Jaylen Harrell/Twitter
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