In one of the most surprising recruitments in recent memory, Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan coaching staff reeled in one of the biggest fish in the class for the second time as 2017 Leesburg (GA) DT Aubrey Solomon has recommitted to and signed with Michigan.
Scouting Report
Solomon is one of the best players in the class and a legit five star prospect. His first step makes him an unstoppable force at the high school level and, with more coaching and time in a college weight room, he could become a star at the collegiate level. And when you look at what Michigan has in Don Brown and Greg Mattison as well as the available early playing time, his impact should be felt immediately.
An athletic defensive lineman who knows how to get off the ball. He is most effective with his quickness. He has good anticipation and he reacts quickly in the trenches. Really gets up the field. Can make plays in the backfield. Gets consistent penetration. Can use his hands, but needs to improve that, and his moves to counter offensive linemen. When he struggles, he tends to play high, so he can work on bettering his pad level. Just a quick defensive lineman who can make plays. Plays hard and plays fast for a guy his size. – via Scout.com
Recruitment
From the original commitment post:
As a top player in the country and coming from the heart of SEC country, Solomon was a priority recruit for all. Most believed he was going to stay down south and play for Nick Saban at Alabama or Kirby Smart at Georgia, however, one trip to Ann Arbor for the on-campus Big Man camp was all he needed to see. His quickly built relationship with the staff and the opportunities available at Michigan were the main factors here in one of Jim Harbaugh’s biggest wins on the recruiting front.
There’s no way this recruitment is over just yet as Saban, Smart and the rest of the country won’t just let Solomon get away that easily. However, look for Michigan to continue recruiting the talented big man like he was uncommitted until the ink is dry on his LOI.
Welp, the whole part about him being tough to sign came into play as Solomon decommitted from Michigan in August after a mailing snafu took place. All it took was a misguided thank you letter to Aubrey and his mother to see him leave the Wolverines class. But that didn’t stop UM.
While everyone, including me, thought this ship had sailed ago with the decommitment, the tide turned and that ship looked to be at least in reach of shore for the Wolverines.
Solomon officially visited for the Maryland game on November 5th and, though it was hard to believe, that’s when Michigan made its move again. The staff focused on his mother, the most, as she was a crucial part of his recruitment. Sell mom, and you may win yourself a five star talent. And that’s what the staff did.
Thanks to all of the academic advantages at Michigan as well as the family atmosphere, the staff was able to pitch Aubrey’s mom to be comfortable with her son playing far away from home. But that didn’t mean this race was over.
Michigan was seen as a favorite once again heading into the winter but Alabama was surging. The Crimson Tide’s success on the field and consistent success on the recruiting trail helped it become the outright leader for the talented tackle. Solomon confirmed that rumor multiple times at the Army All-American game. That’s also where he was caught on video dogging on UM for the past mistake.
But, once again, a misguided message leads to chaos.
After that video dropped, Michigan pushed hard and was rewarded. Oddly enough, from that point on, it looked to be all Michigan as the staff made multiple in-home visits down in Lee County. Thanks to that persistence and pitch, the Wolverines landed one of the biggest and best gets in the program history as Solomon officially recommitted to and signed with Michigan on National Signing Day.
- Height: 6’4”
- Weight: 285lbs
- Hometown (School): Leesburg, GA (Leesburg County)
- Notable Offers: Alabama, USC, Georgia, Auburn, Florida State, Ohio State, Florida, Ole Miss
- Rankings: Scout (5*, #11 overall) – Rivals (5*, #31 overall) – 247 (5*. #30 overall) – ESPN (4*, #63 overall)
- Composite Ranking: Five star, #25 overall, #2 DT, #3 in Georgia
Highlights/Interviews
As for the Rest of the Class
Solomon is the 28th overall commitment for Michigan, the 8th defensive line addition and the 2nd player to commit out of Georgia. With him on board, the staff will focus all of its attention on DT Jay Tufele’s announcement at 11:30pm, which is not likely to end in UM’s favor, and WR Nico Collins’ announcement at 2:30pm, which is looking good for Michigan.
Photo Credit: Yahoo.com
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