Best case, worst case scenarios for Michigan on National Signing Day

Michigan is getting ready to close the chapter on another early signing day.

But a few questions marks remain as we head into recruiting’s biggest day. So let’s have some fun. After all, isn’t that what following recruiting is all about.

Here are the best case and worst case scenarios as well as what will really happen on this joyous holiday known as signing day.

Best Case

Everything goes right for Michigan.

The Wolverines close with their top remaining defensive target in On300 EDGE Lugard Edokpayi. At 6-foot-7, 215 pounds, Edokpayi is a long, twitch pass rusher with insane upside. He may even be an upgrade over former EDGE commits Jacob Smith and Elias Rudolph.

Michigan keeps the momentum going by landing its top remaining offensive target in Top 100 wide receiver Gatlin Bair. Yes, Bair is currently expected to wait until February. But the talented pass catcher instead surprises the recruiting world by inking with the Wolverines.

Michigan takes it a step further and pulls off one of the biggest signing day wins in recent memory by flipping Top 100 wide receiver Nitro Tuggle away from Georgia. All hope appears to be lost here, but Michigan never gave up in his recruitment.

All of U-M’s commits sign and nobody waits for the late window.

Worst Case

Everything goes wrong for Michigan.

Edokpayi surprises us all by spurning Michigan for home state program Maryland, sending The Fort into a state of disarray. Multiple threads pop up about Michigan’s weak NIL game on the recruiting trail.

Bair sticks to his guns and waits until February, allowing Oregon to make an even bigger run and eventually land him before he heads off on his mission.

There are no flips at all this year and no surprises. Jim Harbaugh’s ‘contract week’ turns into another week of discussions and hinders momentum for the 2025 recruiting class.

A few of the commits don’t sign.

I get fired for missing on my Edokpayi prediction and lashing out at board members about my Jadyn Davis ranking.

What Will Really Happen

Michigan will seal seal the deal with Edokpayi. Maryland did everything it could to keep him close to home, but I believe Michigan’s academics and development will win out here. It’s a great way for the Wolverines to close out the early period.

Bair will more than likely take his recruitment to February. That does make me a little more concerned about Oregon, but Michigan remains in a really good spot here.

I’m not expecting any commitments or surprises. As far as Harbaugh’s contract, we’ll see if it actually gets done. Hopefully, it’s not another ‘soon’ situation like NIL.

Most of Michigan’s commits sign — door is always open for a few stragglers.

I don’t get fired.