Michigan lands commitment from four-star EDGE Elias Rudolph

Michigan landed its eighth 2024 verbal commitment in less than a month following the commitment of Deerfield Beach (Fla.) High four-star EDGE Elias Rudolph on Monday.

Rudolph went public with the pledge three weeks after his official visit to Ann Arbor on June 9. His first appearance on campus came in late January.

“The evidence is there,” Rudolph previously told The Wolverine. “Michigan has the ability to produce NFL talent. I know it’s my opinion but the evidence is clear.”

Rudolph chose Michigan over other notable offers from Miami, Pitt, Ohio State, Cincinnati, Georgia, Florida State, Penn State, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas A&M, Iowa and Michigan State. Both the Hurricanes and Panthers hosted Rudolph on official visits last month.

At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Rudolph is the No. 304 overall prospect and No. 21 EDGE in the country, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four primary recruiting media services. He’s also the No. 46 prospect in the state of Florida.

The communication between co-defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale, a longtime respected figure in the Cincinnati area, and Rudolph stayed strong following his transfer to Deerfield Beach in February. Defensive line coach Mike Elston, pass rush specialist Dylan Roney and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter also played a significant role in landing Rudolph.

“It’s been amazing because there’s a real connection (with Clinkscale),” Rudolph said. “I’ve been able to understand how Coach Clink sees me and understand the opportunity that Michigan brings. I can say that me and Clink have a great relationship.”

Michigan’s coaching staff also received instrumental assistance when targeting Rudolph from early enrollee cornerback Cameron Calhoun, who attended high school roughly 30 minutes north of the latter. Calhoun was Rudolph’s player host on the official visit.

Rudolph is the third Cincinnati native in the 2024 class to commit to Michigan and the fifth total over the last calendar year.

Michigan now has 25 commits in its 2024 recruiting class. Of the names in the group are Top 100 Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day quarterback Jadyn Davis, Top 100 Rochester (Mich.) Adams tight end Brady Prieskorn, Top 100 Cincinnati (Ohio) Archbishop Moeller running back Jordan Marshall, On300 Austin (Tex.) Vandegrift offensive tackle Blake Frazier, On300 Kansas City (Mo.) Rockhurst offensive tackle Andrew Sprague, offensive tackle On300 Harper Woods (Mich.) High defensive back Jacob Oden, On300 Nashville (Tenn.) Ensworth linebacker Mason Curtis, On300 Bellevue (Wash.) High tight end Hogan Hansen, On300 Belleville (Mich.) High linebacker Jeremiah Beasley, industry four-star Cheshire (Conn.) Academy defensive lineman Jerod Smith, four-star Avon (Ohio) High interior offensive lineman Luke Hamilton, four-star Brandywine (Md.) Gwynn Park EDGE Devon Baxter, four-star Ijamsville (Md.) Oakdale EDGE Dominic Nichols, four-star Chicago (Ill.) Kenwood Academy wide receiver I’Marion Stewart, three-star Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day wide receiver Channing Goodwin, three-star Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward offensive tackle Ben Roebuck, three-star Cincinnati (Ohio) St. Xavier defensive lineman Ted Hammond, three-star Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman running back Micah Ka’apana, three-star Ponte Vedra (Fla.) Beach interior offensive lineman Jake Guarnera, three-star Wallingford (Conn.) Choate Rosemary Hall defensive lineman Manuel Beigel, three-star Princeton (N.J.) Hum School defensive lineman Owen Wafle, three-star Pittsburgh (Pa.) Central Catholic athlete Cole Sullivan, three-star Charlotte (N.C.) West linebacker Jaden Smith, and three-star South Park (Pa.) High linebacker Zach Ludwig.

The Wolverines are also ranked in the Top 10 in the 2024 On3 Industry National Team Recruiting Rankings and No. 2 overall in the Big Ten Conference behind only Ohio State.