Calvin Russell receives prediction from Rivals writer to land at Michigan football
There are big predictions and there are big predictions. This one, if it pays off, would be of the latter category.
Michigan football is looking to overhaul its offense. While keeping the smashmouth, run-first identity that propelled the Wolverines to a national championship, with Chip Lindsey in as the offensive coordinator and Bryce Underwood coming aboard at quarterback, the maize and blue are working diligently to revamp the passing game. But they need receivers.
The Wolverines added a top-flight wideout on Wednesday with 2026 Mansfield (Tx.) four-star Zion Robinson pledging to the class, but who's next? All eyes are on Chesapeake (Va.) Oscar Smith four-star Travis Johnson, but there's another who Michigan is taking a swing at the fences at.
A five-star recruit from Miami (Fla.) Northwestern, Calvin Russell was seen as a likely candidate to stay down south or head out west. Miami, LSU, and Oregon loomed large, but Russell surprised by taking an official visit to Ann Arbor for Victors Weekend, and it went well enough that Maize & Blue Review's Aidan Sen put in a prediction that he'll end up a Wolverine. (More details via the link in the post, subscription required.)
The scouting report from 247Sports' Andrew Ivins:
Hulking wide receiver with above-the-rim athleticism that makes him a uniquely dangerous target, especially down in the red zone. Owns more of a slender build, but has measured over 6-foot-5 multiple times and is blessed with a near 6-foot-10 wingspan. Isn't exactly the most polished route runner at this stage, but creates separation with unexpected suddenness for such a longer strider. Superb body control tends to create even more of a disadvantage for defensive backs as he wins 50-50 battles with timing and positioning. Not going to outrun every tackle, but is quick to hit the gas and can make some dynamic cuts in traffic. Spent much of freshman and sophomore seasons repping as a run first-quarterback out of necessity before settling in as a must-look option in Year 3 for a storied Miami Northwestern program that captured a 3A championship. Will need to add some body armour to a rather wiry frame in hopes of improving play strength and buy into the process at the school of his choice, but should be viewed as a potential impact pass catcher for a College Football Playoff contender that can be positioned all around the field in hopes of creating mismatches. One of those good-at-everything athletes that could legitimately play two spots in college as he's also being recruited by basketball high majors.
Should Michigan land Russell, he would be the biggest get at the position since Donovan Peoples-Jones (ranked the No. 1 overall receiver at the time) committed as part of the 2017 class.
Either way, fans will have to wait 10 days before they get a resolution, as Russell is planning on making his commitment to his school of choice on July 5.
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