Photo Credit: Eric Upchuch/MGoBlog

New Michigan Man: 2020 WR Kalil Branham Commits to Michigan

Posted onAuthorGarrett Fishaw

There were plenty of options to be the first commitment to Michigan’s 2020 recruiting class, including Myles Hinton or Kalel Mullings. But neither were the first to drop as Northland (OH) WR Kalil Branham surprised the Michigan recruiting world and committed to the Wolverines after receiving his offer from the staff.

Commitment

Scouting Report

Branham is a fast, physical receiver that can beat defenders over the top on the deep ball or on jump balls. He’s still pretty raw in his route running but his speed and tough-nosed playing style separates him from the competition, even as just a sophomore. He has all of the physical traits coaches would look for in a junior-to-be and is more than willing to block. If he continues to develop, he could be a very productive receiver on Saturdays.

Recruitment

Like previously mentioned, this was a pretty big surprise of a commitment. Branham has long been mentioning Michigan among the teams he was most interested in as his grandfather was a big fan of the maize and blue. But, according to his interview with 247Sports’ Bill Greene, it wasn’t until new LB coach Al Washington came on board that UM took notice, thanks to Washington targeting while he was coaching at Cincinnati ($).

As a big fan of the Wolverines, it wasn’t much of a surprise that he committed to Michigan as soon as the staff extended the offer to the Columbus standout. He becomes the first commitment in the 2020 class, and is already recruiting Ohio’s top talent to Michigan.

  • Height: 6’1”
  • Weight: 190lbs
  • Hometown (School): Columbus, OH (Northland)
  • Notable Offers: Boston College, Wake Forest, Cincinnati, Kansas
  • Rankings: Rivals (3*) – 247Sports (3*, #321 overall) – ESPN (N/A)
  • Composite Rankings: N/A

Highlights

As for the Rest of the Class 

Branham is the first commitment of a class that should be decently sized. Michigan is already in great shape with several top targets, including some of the nation’s elite. My Crystal Ball predictions are already in on five stars OT Myles Hinton and OT Kevin Pyne, as well as four stars ATH Kalel Mullings and S Makari Paige. Other names to watch closely in this class early on is QB Harrison Bailey, RB Daniel Ngata, OT Paris Johnson, WR Rashawn Williams, DT Denver Warren, RB Mookie Cooper, LB DeaMonte Trayanum, DE Braiden McGregor, QB Parker McQuarrie and DB Enzo Jennings.

Photo Credit: Eric Upchuch/MGoBlog

Garrett Fishaw
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