And just like that, Michigan has it’s 2016 point guard commit just hours after their former top point guard target was dropped from the board as Lima (OH) PG Xavier Simpson has committed to the Wolverines.
Xavier Simpson has committed to Michigan. One of the craziest recruiting twists that I've ever seen
— Zach Fleer (@ZachFleerLGHL) September 9, 2015
Simpson is a top 100 player and one of the top point guards in the Midwest. He has a similar playing style and size as former target Cassius Winston. Though he is not the most elite athlete on the floor, he has the size and skill set to be a very nice player in Beilein’s offense.
Speaking of Winston, it’s safe to say Simpson joining the class had just about everything to do with the Michigan staff moving on from the in-state talent and going all in on Simpson. Because of the quick change, this was one of the craziest recruitments in recent memory:
Sounds like Michigan didn't want to wait on Cassius Winston so they are about to get Xavier Simpson instead. Nearly equal.
— Chris Dokish (@ChrisDokish) September 9, 2015
Xavier Simpson didn’t list Michigan a few days ago among his four finalists. Now the word is that the Top 100 PG on verge picking Michigan.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) September 9, 2015
There have been quite a few rumblings that Xavier Simpson snuck in a visit to Michigan on Sunday. I can't confirm. But that's the word…
— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) September 9, 2015
Luckily, they decided to do so right before he was set to make his announcement today. And now, the staff has their point guard of the future.
- Height: 5’11”
- Weight: 170lbs
- Notable Offers: Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa State
- Rankings: Scout (4* #55 overall) – Rivals (4* #87 overall) – 247Sports (4* #69 overall) – ESPN (4* #66 overall)
As for the rest of the Class: Simpson is the 4th and, likely, last commitment in the 2016 class. Though C Austin Davis is likely to reclassify to 2017, the staff is out of scholarships at the moment. But that doesn’t mean they didn’t put together a nice class:
Michigan would have one hell of a haul out of Ohio if the Wolverines were to nab Xavier Simpson, Ibi Watson and Jon Teske. We will find out!
— Zach Fleer (@ZachFleerLGHL) September 9, 2015
As for that Miles Bridges dream, that likely washed away (see what I did there?) with the Winston drop.
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