Photo Credit: Mazi Smith/Twitter

New Michigan Man: DT Mazi Smith Commits to Michigan

Posted onAuthorGarrett Fishaw

Michigan has had a long history of producing talented defensive tackles. And the staff looks like it may have just landed its next big thing on the interior of the defensive line as 2019 East Kentwood (MI) DT Mazi Smith has committed to Michigan during his official visit to Ann Arbor.

Commitment

Scouting Report

Smith is a beast of an interior lineman. He’s big, he’s mean, he has a high motor, good feet, and looks to be a great fit at nose tackle for Michigan. His ability to shed lineman and find the ball carrier to make plays in the backfield will give him a chance to play right away in Ann Arbor. The staff was in need of more depth at nose tackle and there may not have been a better addition in this class than Smith.

Recruitment

The cousin of former Michigan State great, TJ Duckett, Smith was a player that very early on looked like he could follow in the family footsteps to East Lansing. However, it was Michigan that caught his attention and has actually been the favorite for his services for nearly a year. Greg Mattison and Don Brown are a big reason why. As he said in his commitment tweet, it’s the development that the duo can offer him that was a big selling point.

Smith has full-blown NFL potential and elite coaches, like those at Michigan, were a huge selling point. Adding in all of the visits he’s made to Ann Arbor and how comfortable he is with both the staff and the school, he committed to the Wolverines, becoming one of the best gets of class.

  • Height: 6’3”
  • Weight: 290lbs
  • Hometown (School): Grand Rapids, MI (East Kentwood)
  • Notable Offers: Alabama, Notre Dame, Penn State, Georgia, Ohio State
  • Rankings: Rivals (4* #160 overall) – 247Sports (4*, #225 overall) – ESPN (4*, #29 overall)
  • Composite Ranking: Four-star, #123 Overall, #7 DT, #4 in Michigan

Highlights

As for the Rest of the Class

Smith is the 14th overall commitment, the first nose tackle commit, and just the second in-state commit of the class. Oddly enough, he may be the last in-stater of this class too barring a change in direction from the staff or change of heart from some other prospects. The best bet out of Michigan is OLB Lance Dixon, though Penn State and Michigan State look have the advantage there heading into his official to Ann Arbor. Other in-states still on the board include WR Tre Mosley and DL Tyrece Woods.

As for the defensive line, Michigan looks like it could end up adding DE David Ojabo and DE/OLB Aeneas DiCosmo to the equation with Purdue commit DE George Karlaftis being another name to watch.

Photo Credit: Scout.com

Garrett Fishaw
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