2017 WR Donovan Peoples-Jones (art by Brandon Whitaker).

New Michigan Man: WR Donovan Peoples-Jones Commits

Posted onAuthorGarrett Fishaw

December will be a month to remember for the Michigan coaching staff on the recruiting trail. And it’s just added the 2nd commit and the staff has received the pledge from the top name on the board, Cass Tech (MI) WR Donovan Peoples-Jones has officially committed to Michigan.

Commitment

Scouting Report

While the state of Michigan has put out a ton of football talent through the years but the top player in the 2017 class is legitimately in the discussion for best ever. Peoples-Jones is right there with former Michigan great and current running backs coach, Tyrone Wheatley, in terms of elite talent and athleticism. His size, athleticism and speed is put on display at each high school game but was truly shown when he won the 2015 Nike SPARQ MVP as a junior after running a 4.42 forty yard dash and posting a 42.4 inch vertical jump.

As a receiver, he’s still a little raw in his pass catching and route running skills compared to his physical abilities but that’s something that every single high school receiver deals with. But that shouldn’t stop him from seeing the field early and often throughout his career.

Exceptional athlete with above-average size, but top notch speed, explosiveness and outstanding leaping ability. Shows the ability to make tough grabs downfield with defenders on him, and has excellent body control and ball tracking skills. Must still get stronger and continue to polish his route-running, but has all of the physical tools to be a go-to receiver in college. – via Scout.com’s Allen Trieu

Recruitment

Being a top 10 recruit in the class and the #1 receiver in the country, Peoples-Jones recruiting obviously was filled with elite suitors. He held offers from just about every top program in the country but never really showed any school besides Michigan any real love. That was until the end of his recruitment where rumors arose of UM being out of the race as Ohio State and Florida State were the new favorites.

But that looks to have been a lot of smoke and no fire.

Family’s ties to the program, the educational opportunities (the medical program especially) at Michigan and his fit within the team and in the offense were more than enough to put UM out front. With his senior season in the books and the early enrollment date approaching, Peoples-Jones officially visited Ann Arbor alongside most of the commits, including his good friends Ambry Thomas and Jaylen Kelly-Powell. And though the FSU/OSU rumors had people on edge, the nation’s top wide receiver recruit ended all speculation and committed to the in-state Wolverines, like originally expected, on ESPN2.

  • Height: 6’2.5”
  • Weight: 195lbs
  • Hometown (School): Detroit, MI (Cass Tech)
  • Notable Offers: Alabama, Ohio State, Florida, Michigan State, Florida State, USC
  • Rankings: Scout (4*, #32 overall) – Rivals (5*, #13 overall) – 247Sports (5*, #8 overall) – ESPN (4*, #27 overall)
  • Composite Rankings: Five star, #11 overall, #1 WR, #1 in Michigan

As for the Rest of the Class

Peoples-Jones is the 22nd overall commitment in the class, 3rd wide receiver commit and the 7th commit out of the state of Michigan. With him now officially a part of this class, the staff will sit back and watch the next couple weeks fall as they will. That timeframe will include the announcements of OT Isaiah Wilson, LB Jordan Anthony, RB Najee Harris, OT Chuck Filiaga and DL Deron Irving-Bey. I like Michigan’s chances for all of them, at this point.

Garrett Fishaw
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