4-star EDGE Lugard Edokpayi commits to Michigan: ‘It’s really the best of both worlds’ 

Bowie (Md.) Bishop McNamara four-star EDGE Lugard Edokpayi received multiple Power Five offers earlier this fall. One of them came from Michigan on Nov. 8.

Despite the Wolverines offering late in Edokpayi’s recruitment, he was quickly impressed by Michigan and developed a strong connection with multiple coaches. Following an official visit to the maize-and blue on Dec. 12, the 6-foot-6.5, 215-pound pass rusher realized he wanted to be in Ann Arbor for his college football career. Edokpayi made that news official on Wednesday by committing to the Wolverines over Maryland. 

“The visit really did set into stone that I wanted to go there,” Edokpayi told On3. “They call it, ‘Best Chance U,’ because you get No. 1 academics and you also get to play at a great program and play against the best and compete against the best. It’s really the best of both worlds.”

Being able to earn a degree from one of the top public universities in the country and be prepared for life after football were key reasons why Edokpayi chose to play for head coach Jim Harbaughand his staff. Additionally, the No. 3 player in Maryland is excited about Michigan’s future, as the Wolverines are coming off their third straight Big Ten title and are preparing for their third consecutive appearance in the College Football Playoff. 

“Michigan is a blue-blood program and it’s been in the game for a long time,” said Edokpayi, the No. 176 overall prospect and No. 18 EDGE in the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking. “It’s been a top program for a very long time. I’m definitely excited to be able to win and compete for a championship every year. It’s a very good program to go into.” 

Edokpayi is excited to play for Harbaugh and Michigan’s coaching staff

During his trip to Michigan, Edokpayi enjoyed being around the Wolverines’ players and staffers, including Harbaugh, defensive line coach Mike Elston and Dylan Roney, who works with outside linebackers. The four-star met with Harbaugh alongside his parents on the last day of his visit and decided to pledge to the Big Ten program while on campus. 

“He’s a great guy,” Edokpayi said of Michigan’s head man. “He really keeps it real. He’s never going to sugarcoat anything, he’s going to tell you what it is. I was impressed with how he cares about his team. He cares about his players and wants the best for them and wants to win. He’s a great guy and he’s a great person to develop you and turn you from a boy to a man.” 

Over the past few seasons, Michigan has sent multiple front-seven defenders to the NFL including Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo. That success caught the attention of Edokpayi, as he described Michigan as “EDGE University.”

Edokpayi is looking forward to growing on the field. He is also excited about the weight training program under the guidance of Director of Strength and Conditioning Ben Herbert. Additionally, he is confident that both Roney and Elston can develop him during his time playing in the Big House. 

“Coach Roney is a young d-line coach and I’m very excited to work with him because we see eye-to-eye on a lot of things,” Edokpayi said. 

“We have a good relationship,” he added about Elston. “He’s a funny dude and great guy and also keeps it real. He knows how to put a smile on your face, so it’s going to be a good time learning from him. But at the same time, from when I was watching practice, I also know that he’s going to be a coach who stays on you and coaches you up when you’re wrong. He’s a great coach.”