Cornerback has been a position full of question marks for Michigan in the 2021 class with several names on the board. With multiple guys needed in this class, the staff filled one of the spots as three-star St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) CB Ja’Den McBurrows has committed to Michigan.
Commitment
Scouting Report
Some may scoff at his elite offer list but you see exactly why McBurrows holds those offers when you watch his tape. While he may not have that ideal length, he’s a track-level speedster that has that burst and quick twitch, can close quickly, and shows that stick on the hip coverage. He’s a tough, smart corner that reads the quarterback well and flashes that ball-hawking ability.
Playing at an elite level high school like St. Thomas Aquinas only solidifies his tape even more. McBurrows is a corner that can play inside or outside, which will help him see the field early on. The tools are all there for him to be a multi-year starter in college.
Recruitment
This was another one of those surprise commitments on my end. The Wolverines offered at the end of January, wrapping up six-weeks of receiving several blue blood and top-flight offers, including Georgia, Florida State, LSU, Ohio State, Penn State, and Alabama.
Michigan’s coaching staff had been putting in work in the Sunshine State but even with the brand and connections, going into St. Thomas Aquinas and pulling out players can be difficult. Michigan was able to get LB Anthony Solomon in the 2019 class which actually ended up having a big impact on McBurrows, according to his interview with 247Sports’ Andrew Ivins ($).
Don Brown and the total package offered at Michigan were the other deciding factors for McBurrows, who gives the class its first corner commit.
- Height: 5’10”
- Weight: 165lbs
- Hometown (School): Fort Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas Aquinas)
- Notable Offers: Alabama, Ohio State, LSU, Georgia, Florida State, Miami
- Rankings: Rivals (3*, #27 CB) – 247Sports (3*, #90 CB) – ESPN (3*)
- Composite Ranking: Three-star, #580 Overall, #44 CB, #85 in Florida
Highlights
As for the Rest of the Class
McBurrows is the 10th overall commitment, the first cornerback commit, and the first commit from Florida, second that plays high school ball in Florida. This class looks like it could see 2-3 corners in this class with a handful of names looking to be near or at the top of the board including Tyreek Chappell, John Howse IV, Omarion Cooper, Ishmael Ibraheem, and don’t forget about Kalen King, after his Penn State commitment.
Photo Credit: Adam Lichtenstein/SouthFloridaSunSentinel
- The First 2024 Best Guess Recruiting Class - Mar 24, 2023
- 2023 Best Guess Recruiting Class: Early Signing Day - Dec 20, 2022
- The 2023 Best Guess Recruiting Class - Sep 22, 2022