Commit Impact: What landing ex-Purdue commit Jo’Ziah Edmond means for Michigan

Michigan scored an important recruiting win when three-star Nappanee (Ind.) Northwood athlete Jo’Ziah Edmond gave the Wolverines a verbal pledge.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder picked Michigan over offers from Baylor, Iowa State, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Wisconsin and others.

Edmond is the 27th member of Michigan’s 2024 recruiting class.

Here are some quick takes on what Edmond’s commitment means for the Wolverines.

1 Edmond marks the 10th commitment for Michigan over the last two months. The Wolverines now have 27 verbal pledges total, and this class could get even bigger. Michigan is still looking to add a couple of other pieces to the secondary and is pushing hard to land Top 100 wide receiver Gatlin Bair, who is set to make his decision this coming weekend. It’s been a busy summer for Michigan on the recruiting trail, but the cycle still isn’t over just yet.

2 Michigan lost out on Top 100 cornerback Aaron Scott over the weekend and immediately started pivoting to other options. Edmond is actually a prospect the Wolverines have been intrigued by for a couple of months. The three-star recruit quietly made his way to Ann Arbor in June and impressed the staff with his camp performance. In fact, I’m told Edmond was one of the best players there. Michigan waited a bit to offer, but he was definitely next in line on the board.

3 So how did this one happen? After his camp performance, Michigan continued to keep in contact with Edmond, who committed to Purdue. The Wolverines offered shortly after the Scott announcement, and Edmond wasted no time flipping and jumping in the class. Michigan cornerbacks coach and co-defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter both pushed and won him over.

4. Edmond might be ranked in the 600s, but he does flash on tape and is definitely capable of moving up the rankings with a strong senior season. In fact, I think he should be a high three-star or low four-star based on his tape. At 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, Edmond has great size and really good length. He’s also a plus athlete. Edmond has experience playing multiple positions at the high school level hence why he’s listed as an athlete on On3.

5. Edmond reminds me a bit of 2023 Michigan cornerback signee Jyaire Hill. Edmond has similar measureables as well as a similar athletic profile. Like Hill, Edmond plays all over the secondary for his high school team as well as quarterback, wide receiver and punter. New Purdue head coach Ryan Walters led the way for Illinois in Hill’s recruitment and did a really nice job of identifying Edmond. It’s no surprise Walters pushed hard for Edmond early.

6. Edmond will start off at corner for Michigan, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him move around in the secondary during his time in Ann Arbor — I wrote the same thing about Hill. While still raw, Edmond will need to be coached up at the corner position, but Clinkscale is obviously a great developer of talent. Edmond can certainly stick there, but he also has the versatility and raw ability to play safety and nickel in U-M’s defensive scheme.

7. Edmond is from the same school as On300 wide receiver NiTareon Tuggle, who visited Michigan before committing to Georgia back in April. Michigan still has a need for a bigger wide receiver this cycle, and, at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, Tuggle certainly fits the bill. It will be interesting to see if Edmond’s commitment helps Michigan get back in the Tuggle recruitment.

8. So what’s next for Michigan at cornerback? With Edmond onboard, the Wolverines are looking to add one more player at the position. The leading candidate is three-star prospect Jeremiah Lowe out of Lexington (Ky.) Fredrick Douglass. I put in an On3 Prediction for Lowe this weekend, and he told me he is looking to make his decision at some point this month.

9. Here are the commits by position

1 – Quarterback
2 – Running Back
2 – Wide Receiver
2 – Tight End
5 – Offensive Line
4 – Defensive Line
4 – EDGE
2 – Linebacker
2 – Defensive Back
3 – Athlete

10. Here are the commits by state

2 – Connecticut
2 – Florida
1 – Illinois
1 – Indiana
2 – Maryland
3 – Michigan
1 – Missouri
1 – Nevada
1 – New Jersey
3 – North Carolina
4 – Ohio
2 – Pennsylvania
1 – Tennessee
1 – Texas
1 – Washington

The post Commit Impact: What landing ex-Purdue commit Jo’Ziah Edmond means for Michigan appeared first on On3.