Michigan lands four-star linebacker Devin Bush Jr.
Linebacker is a position of need and clearly an emphasis in this late recruiting push for Michigan, and the Wolverines added an important component to its 2016 recruiting class on Wednesday.
Devin Bush Jr., with his Pembroke Pines (Fla.) Flanagan teammates, family and friends and classmates attending a formal announcement, announced his decision at the school.
“It’s been a long process, a very long process since sophomore year,” Bush Jr. said. “For my next three, four years, the college I will be attending, the University of Michigan.”
Michigan, which has 22 commitments to the 2016 class, now awaits the decision Thursday of top-ranked, 6-foot-1, 210-pound New Jersey tailback Kareem Walker. Walker decommitted from Ohio State in November, and Michigan is considered a favorite to land him, but Florida State has increased its interest.
With the addition of the four-star-rated Bush, Michigan’s team recruiting ranking has been elevated, and undoubtedly if the Wolverines land Walker, it will increase significantly. Rivals currently lists the Wolverines at No. 3 nationally, while Scout has them at No. 4 and 247Sports has them at No. 5,
But adding linebackers to the Michigan roster is of huge importance. The 5-foot-11, 226-pound Bush plans to enroll early at Michigan, will begin taking classes in January and will be eligible to participate in spring practice. He is ranked the No. 13 inside linebacker in the nation by Scout.com, and is the second true linebacker commit in the Wolverines' 2016 class. It's a big position of need for the Wolverines as they are losing James Ross, Joe Bolden and Desmond Morgan from their 2015 team.
Bush, a legacy at Florida State where his father played safety, picked the Wolverines over finalists Florida State, Auburn and Georgia. His sister, Deja Bush, currently plays for the Florida State softball team.
“It’s a big moment for me right now in my life,” Bush told the crowd Wednesday via Periscope feed. “I never forget where I come from. I’ll never forget all your faces. I’m in the best situation right now. I have the best parents, the best support staff, the best sister. Feeling so good right now. My teammates are here. We got what we deserved this year.”
He was referring to a state football championship. Teammate Devin Gil, a defensive back commit for Michigan, also attended the announcement wearing the title game medal around his neck. Defensive back Josh Metellus, a Flanagan teammate, also has committed to Michigan.
Landing linebackers is vital for Michigan with this class. Michigan also is pursuing linebackers Dontavious Jackson from Houston and Jonathan Jones from Orlando.
“That is the position Michigan fans are most curious about,” Scout recruiting analyst Allen Trieu told The Detroit News last week. “There’s a very good shot a freshman linebacker could play. There’s an outside shot one would challenge to start.”
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