In a surprising move, the new-look Michigan defensive coaching staff just stole the top recruit in its in-state rival’s class as 2021 Oak Park (MI) DT Rayshaun Benny has flipped from Michigan State and signed with Michigan on National Signing Day.
Commitment
Scouting Report
Benny is a big bodied, versatile lineman that could play and flourish at either defensive or offensive tackle in college. But he’s set for defense and he should be a guy that rises up the depth chart as soon as he gets on campus this summer.
Strong hands, wins at the point of attack and has a good motor to get into the backfield and cause havoc in the running and passing game. May need to get stronger and shape his body better in the weight program but that’s common for defensive tackle recruits. It may be a year before he’s making a big impact but he looks like he could be a multiple-year starter for the maize and blue.
Recruitment
This has been one of the those recruitments where I wasn’t shocked with any outcome. Benny was on and off and on and off of my class predictions as he went from looking likely to playing his ball out of state to then looking like a damn near lock to Michigan. But as the struggles showed up during the season and the loss to Michigan State happened, he connected with and ended up committing to Mel Tucker and the Spartans in November.
That looked to be a done deal up until Early Signing Day in mid-December when Benny chose not to sign with the Spartans. The door was open for Michigan. And thanks to Shaun Nua sticking around and the addition of Ron Bellamy to the staff gave the Wolverine the edge at the very last minute as the four-star flipped to and signed with Michigan on National Signing Day.
- Height: 6’5”
- Weight: 275lbs
- Hometown (School): Oak Park, MI (Oak Park)
- Notable Offers: Michigan State, Ohio State, Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame
- Rankings: Rivals (4*, #98 overall) – 247Sports (4*, #212 overall) – ESPN (4*, #19 DT)
- Composite Ranking: Four-star, #195 Overall, #16 DT, #6 in Michigan
Highlights
As for the Rest of the Class
Benny is the 22nd overall member of the recruiting class, the 3rd defensive tackle, and the 6th in-state pull. He may not be the last though as DT Ikechukwu Iwunnah is still on the line to potentially flip from Colorado. So stay tuned.
Photo Credit: Rayshaun Benny/Twitter
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