Trainer’s Take: Four-star Michigan EDGE commit Devon Baxter is ‘a raw talent’

Michigan landed a commitment from one of the country’s most intriguing pass rushers in Devon Baxter.

The four-star prospect out of Brandywine (Md.) Gwynn Park is new to the EDGE position but has all the tools to blossom into a terror in Ann Arbor.

Just ask private trainer, Marlon Curtis of Pass Rush Academy.

“He’s a raw talent,” Curtis said. “He has such a high ceiling with his athletic ability and gain of knowledge at the EDGE position. He’s very versatile. He has the range to do a lot of things… He has a natural nose for the football. He is disciplined in what’s asked of him in the scheme of his program.

“When he’s allowed to show his athleticism, he really applies it and covers a lot of ground. He has great length and strength. He knows how to get after the quarterback. He really knows the path to get there.”

Baxter actually began his football year playing quarterback and tight end before making the move over to the defensive side of the ball.

While he still has some polishing up to do from a technical standpoint, Baxter has a tremendous ceiling and could very well outplay his ranking at Michigan.

“As a freshman, he was 260 pounds,” Curtis said. “He has the ability to carry that frame. That was baby weight at the time. He’s at about 231 now and putting on that muscle. He’s making the proper gains. The sky is the limit on what he’ll be able to do under a great program that really cares about him as an individual.”

When asked for a player comparison, two names came to Curtis’ mind.

“I’ve had a lot of guys as a coach and trainer that have played Division I. Pro wise, he’s built and does things like (Josh) Sweat. He has some of those intangibles like a Jevon Kearse. His speed continues to grow. His length and speed kind of reminds you of these guys moving and doing things.”

Baxter committed to Michigan over offers from Boston College, Duke, Maryland, Penn State, Pitt, Rutgers, Tennessee, Virginia Tech and others.

Curtis believes Baxter found the right fit when he picked the Wolverines shortly after his official visit.

“He’s a coachable kid,” Curtis said. “He listens. He has a quiet confidence about him that most people recognize when they talk to him. He’s not afraid to put it on the line against anyone. He’s a competitor. That’s what a program like Michigan breeds — competitors. He’s a perfect fit for that opportunity.”

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