From The Road: Can Michigan flip four-star EDGE Elias Rudolph back from Miami?

*** The Wolverine drove to Cincinnati, Ohio, on Saturday to reconnect with four-star EDGE Elias Rudolph, who’s verbally committed to Miami. After being pledged to Michigan for over a month, he announced the flip in August. Rudolph is back at Cincinnati Taft High for his senior season. He transferred to Deerfield Beach (Fla.) High this past winter but returned to his hometown earlier in the summer. He didn’t play in the 44-6 win over Meadowdale but will be in full health in time for playoffs as Taft gears up for a 4A state title run.

*** Rudolph committed to Miami on August 12. He visited Coral Gables during the summer open period following an official visit on June 16. Michigan hosted Rudolph on an official visit the week prior. Both schools were in his Top 3 when he initially chose the Wolverines on July 3. After the Saturday game, Rudolph said it was a tough decision to pick between the programs. Still, Miami won out because he wants to be a part of what Mario Cristobal, Jason Taylor and the rest of the coaching staff are building to learn how to be a better pass rusher. He went on to say that he loves the environment and players in South Florida.

*** Rudolph also said that communication with the Michigan coaching staff happens daily and the team is still in the picture. It tells Rudolph that the personnel in Ann Arbor he built a relationship with in the offseason remain in his corner. While Rudolph has been dealing with a minor health setback, Michigan has checked up, asked how he’s doing and cared about his wellbeing.

*** The lead recruiter for Michigan, while Rudolph was uncommitted, was co-defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale, who’s handled many of the efforts in Cincinnati. Even when Rudolph moved to Deerfield Beach, communication with Clinkscale remained strong. Their relationship was more profound than just player-coach and their respect for each other is in sync. Clinkscale is staying actively involved with Rudolph heading into the fall and so is most of Michigan’s defensive staff, like defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, pass rush specialist Dylan Roney and defensive line coach Mike Elston.

*** It means something to Rudolph that the No. 2 ranked program in the AP Poll continues valuing his speed off the edge. The main message when Rudolph listens to the coaches is that he’s needed at U-M and is wanted in the 2024 recruiting class. At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Rudolph was called “a freak” by the staff in the offseason and is deemed the right scheme fit for the Wolverines. The coaches aren’t holding back either in saying that Michigan is the best program for Rudolph.

*** Now that Rudolph lives four hours away from Ann Arbor as opposed to earlier in the year when he flew to campus, Michigan is working towards bringing the No. 24 ranked EDGE nationally and No. 11 player in Ohio, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, for a game-day visit this season. Rudolph said that he’ll set up a date to make the drive up again.

*** Given that Michigan is battling with Kentucky for two of its four-star commits on the defensive line – twin brothers Jerod Smith and Jacob Smith – securing Rudolph is a top priority this cycle. Keep in mind that Rudolph committed to U-M without having seen a game at The Big House first-hand. He garnered the aurora that takes place on official visits and received knowledge of the operations in January, but walking out of the tunnel to greet 100,000-plus people is adorned by targets, so hosting Rudolph for one of the five remaining home games this season and letting him soak in the atmosphere is crucial.

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