Michigan lands commitment from four-star Chicagoland TE Deakon Tonielli

The drought is over.

Michigan scored its first commitment in more than two months when from four-star Oswego (Ill.) High tight end Deakon Tonielli picked the Wolverines on Sunday afternoon.

“Michigan is just a great program,” Tonielli said. “I love their tradition. I love the brotherhood. They have a great business school, too.”

Tonielli committed to Michigan over offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, Iowa State, Michigan State, Minnesota, Tennessee and others.

Michigan tight ends coach Grant Newsome led the way in Tonielli’s recruitment and played a big role in winning him over.

“At first, I was a little worried because I really liked Coach Jay (Harbaugh),” Tonielli said. “It was a little heartbreaking. But I talked to Coach Newsome for a while after that, and we’ve built a connection. It’s nice to get that structure back. I might not be able to talk to Coach Jay as much, but I’m building a great connection with the coach that I could be with at my position. Coach Newsome is just a great guy. I feel really comfortable with him.”

Tonielli is the first tight end commit in Michigan’s 2023 recruiting class and loves the way the Wolverines utilize his position.

“I would pick up on things that I would learn in the NFL because of the way they use their tight ends,” he said. “I would already be prepared for the NFL through playing college ball at Michigan. I know I’m going to get the full potential out of myself.”

Tonielli is the seventh commit in Michigan’s 2023 recruiting class.

At 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, Tonielli is ranked as the No. 17 tight end in the country and No. 4 overall recruit in the state of Illinois, per On3.

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