Michigan has been on a roll with recruiting the receiver position since Josh Gattis’ arrival. After landing three commits already in the 2021 class, the Wolverines went into its in-state rival’s backyard and took its top target as East Lansing (MI) WR Andrel Anthony has committed to Michigan.
Commitment
Scouting Report
Anthony has a long, lanky build but a good frame. Has good hands and can make the acrobatic catch. Shows some bunnies on the basketball court and really quick feet and the ability to win in man coverage on the football field. Good twitch. Good but not great straight-line speed. Good route runner. Needs to add size to make an impact at the Big Ten level but has a blend of pass-catching skills, route-running ability, and pure athleticism to project a pretty high ceiling. Properly ranked in my opinion as an outside receiver that may take a couple of years to develop into a full-time contributor.
Recruitment
Anthony has been a name to know throughout this cycle. He was offered back in June of 2019 after a camp visit and continued to make visits to campus throughout the summer and fall. Throughout that entire time, he was proudly rockin’ his maize and blue Jumpman gloves in his games as he was trending heavily towards the Wolverines while his hometown Spartans’ 2019 season started to implode.
I didn’t hesitate to include him in my first 2021 BGRC in March as he was the best bet by far to end up at Michigan out of the receiver targets. But he took his time and things looked to fall off a bit between the two parties. Michigan’s focus turned to other receivers a bit which resulted in the staff landing three commitments over the last couple of months.
Penn State, Notre Dame and Michigan State, especially, started to trend here as Mel Tucker made him the top priority in his first class. Over the summer, the Nittany Lions and Fighting Irish slowed their pursuit so it looked like it was all MSU. But even with three receiver commits already, Sherrone Moore and the Michigan coaching staff (along with several commits and players) picked things back up with the three-star as he headed into his summer decision. And it clearly paid off.
Though all the Crystal Ball predictions were on the Spartans just a week ago, a tidal wave of change towards the Wolverines occurred just a couple of days before his announcement when he made his own trip Ann Arbor during the pandemic for an unofficial visit.
Days later, Anthony committed to Michigan on a live local news broadcast while at his East Lansing high school, just one mile from Michigan State’s campus. Cold-blooded.
- Height: 6’2”
- Weight: 175lbs
- Hometown (School): East Lansing, MI (East Lansing)
- Notable Offers: Penn State, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Michigan State
- Rankings: Rivals (3*, #81 WR) – 247Sports (3*, #103 WR) – ESPN (3*, #111 WR)
- Composite Ranking: Three-star, #529 Overall, #85 WR, #12 in Michigan
Highlights
As for the Rest of the Class
Anthony is the 21st overall commitment, the 4th wide receiver commit and the 4th in-state get. But he won’t be the last as the staff is pretty much looking to wrap this class up with almost all in-staters. OG Rocco Spindler will announce on August 8th with it being a really close call between Michigan and Notre Dame while DT Rayshaun Benny and RB Donovan Edwards are trending heavily towards the Wolverines.
Some other names to watch over the final 4-5 months include OG Drew Kendall, CB Ceyair Wright, S Daymon David, DT George Rooks, and ATH Kamonte Grimes.
Photo Credit: Al Goldis | Lansing State Journal
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