The last time Michigan landed a commit out of Arizona was 2009 when Brady Hoke added DE Craig Roh to his recruiting class. Well, Shaun Nua and Jim Harbaugh just ended that 11-year drought as 2021 Saguaro (AZ) DE Quintin Somerville has committed to the Wolverines.
Commitment
Scouting Report
Hard not to like his highlights. He plays with a low center of gravity and a ton of effort. Shows the ability to drop his hips and change direction in the run game and strong hands mixed with quickness to beat lineman with power or speed on the pass rush. Short, stockier build with a thick bottom half that allows him to anchor in and control offensive lineman. Though 6’1” isn’t the ideal defensive lineman height, that shouldn’t hurt him too much as his mix of mass, quickness and moves makes him a force off the edge. He’ll need to continue to add the right weight and strength but I see him being a consistent contributor and eventual starter that could be a problem as a pass rusher.
Recruitment
One time a top 20 ranked player in this class, Somerville is a top football recruit and student that holds offers from plenty of the name brands including Oklahoma, Ohio State, LSU, Georgia, Florida, and Stanford. But while the push from those teams fell off a bit as the cycle and pandemic went on, Michigan’s Shaun Nua, Jay Harbaugh and the rest of the staff kept their sights set on Somerville throughout.
Somerville was offered in January following his sophomore season and made his way to Ann Arbor for the 2019 Spring Game. From that point on Michigan was a consistent in his recruitment. One big factor was the relationship with DL coach Shaun Nua, who had recruited him while at Arizona State. So it’s no surprise he was always a top name on the board.
At one time, the Wolverines looked to be battling the Sooners and Bulldogs here but once visits were canceled during the pandemic, the staff’s virtual efforts, strong relationships, and the total package available in Ann Arbor made it was clear that Michigan was the place for the four-star from Arizona.
Somerville announced his commitment to the Wolverines on his mother’s birthday, as he originally planned all along. His pledge gives the staff another key piece to its 2021 class.
- Height: 6’1”
- Weight: 230lbs
- Hometown (School): Scottsdale, AZ (Saguaro)
- Notable Offers: Oklahoma, Georgia, Ohio State, LSU, Stanford
- Rankings: Rivals (4*, #151 overall) – 247Sports (4*, #104 overall) – ESPN (4*, #107 overall)
- Composite Ranking: Four-star, #104 Overall, #9 SDE, #3 in Arizona
Highlights
As for the Rest of the Class
Somerville is the 18th overall commitment, the 3rd/4th defensive lineman (depends on where Kechaun Bennett ends up), and the first commitment out of Arizona. The defensive end position looks to be pretty much wrapped up while the staff swings at top-100 DE Dallas Turner. All eyes turn to the inside of the line as the staff has yet to land a true defensive tackle. DT Rayshaun Benny and DT George Rooks are the clear favorites at the position while DT JT Tuimoloau is a pipe dream and NT Pius Odjugo is a name on the back burner to remember come December.
As for next name to drop, all eyes are on four-star WR Cristian Dixon.
Photo Credit: Darryl Webb/AZ Republic
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