Predicting a recruitment class after a commitment and so many variables still on the board while a global pandemic persists is perhaps a futile exercise. However, now that the Michigan Wolverines have added a piece to the puzzle in 2021 with the commitment of four-star forward Isaiah Barnes, it helps us at least identify what the other needs are and check where things are.
Again, it’s worth repeating that recruits are still fairly open and deadlines have depended on whether or not children can make campus visits. As of now, the NCAA prohibits in-person recruitment until August. Because of that, it might still take some time to complete the class.
This is where things are from now on. The criterion here is what looks like a realistic scenario given that Michigan appears to be on target today.
Committed: four-star forward Isaiah Barnes
Barnes, the 85th 247Sports player in the country, got engaged to Michigan last week. Here is what we had to say about him in our article:
Its development has always focused on physical tools, which will continue to be the case in the future. This is an athletic, long-winged prospect who appears to be best suited to play both or all three and has proven to be a solid defender at multiple points on the floor.
There aren’t a lot of videos about him, especially when the athletic seasons were paralyzed due to the pandemic, but in every way, Barnes can best be described at this stage of the game as inconsistent or offensively borderline. Many of the reports and movies about him show him as a catch-and-shoot type of prospect, although he started putting the ball down a little more and creating for himself in his junior season. Your improvement here could be the difference between being a 3D guy from the bench or someone who can walk in and be a major contributor with some training. MGoBlog likened him to a less explosive Charles Matthews, and that feels like a fitting parallel given what’s on him so far.
Best predictions for the 2021 class
Five-star forward Harrison Ingram
Ingram would be an excellent choice for this cycle and offers a good juxtaposition in skill set to what a player like Barnes would bring. Ingram is more a point / power forward, while Barnes slides more like a two or a three.
The four-star combo Jalen Warley
Point / combo guard is the biggest need in this class and should probably be where the staff directs the most attention next. The Wolverines will lose both Eli Brooks and Mike Smith after 2020-21, leaving only Zeb Jackson as someone who can handle the ball on the roster. Wolverines not only need bodies there, they need someone who can make an impact there. Warley has a connection to Phil Martelli and Michigan will continue to work hard on that relationship.
Four-star point guard Angelo Brizzi
As mentioned earlier, guarding will be a great need. I can see a scenario where Michigan gets a couple of bases and, like Warley, Brizzi has a relationship with Martelli and is someone Michigan is on top of. He’s still raw and recovering, but assuming Michigan can add someone like Warley and Jackson is as advertised, it gives him some time.
Three-star power forward Will Tschetter
This feels like a two-horse race between Michigan and Minnesota, from which Tschetter comes.
Other candidates
Michigan could have up to seven scholarships available by 2021 if Chaundee Brown is determined to be eligible for this season and Franz Wagner turns professional.
Five-star center / forward Efton Reid
There have been rumors that Michigan would be interested in bringing Reid to reclassify and fill the final spot in 2020, but so far the signs seem to be pointing to him staying in 2021. Michigan will have Hunter Dickinson and Brandon Johns on the list in 2021. -22 as the only one for players who can play all five, so somewhere along the line, they could use some depth.
Charles Bediako Five Star Center
Like Reid, Michigan is watching over the great Canadian man, who is transferring to the IMG Academy. Things are still unfolding in their recruitment, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see that the search for any of these boys heats up as we move through the critical stage of the 2021 cycle.
The Five Star Guard Trevor Keels
If I was a gambler, in a scenario where Michigan was in a prime position to do so, I think they can land either Ingram or Keels. Landing both would be a great pleasure for them. Keels is more of a combined guard than a striker and has made comparisons to Dion Waiters.
Four Star Guard Jaden Akins
If you asked me to rank the bases’ goals on the board, Warley and Brizzi are the first two with Akins in the third. Michigan landing at least one of those three boys would be positive.
Quincy Allen Four Star
Michigan has been pushing, but Allen has been considered a lean of the state of North Carolina. It would be another scoring wing to add to the class.
Overview
I think Michigan is more likely to have more than five scholarships available than not. With so many places to fill, it creates an opportunity to mix up early playtime opportunities that attract prospects looking to show off for the next level and also take a chance on projects. Barnes fits the bill in the last category as the first commitment in the cycle.
With their needs and names in the mix, people will ask again how Michigan can create space. The answer is the same as for this past cycle, and that is that things will resolve on their own. After a wild offseason in which we thought there would be a scholarship crisis, Michigan is now below the limit for next season. But as of now, this feels like the kind of class you might be seeing.
