Decision Primer: Four-star EDGE Elias Rudolph set to make commitment
Michigan is eyeing its third 2024 verbal commit who’s native to Cincinnati, Ohio.
Elias Rudolph will announce his pledge today at 7:00 p.m. EST. The ceremony will be streamed live on The Wolverine YouTube Channel. Click here to subscribe for daily Michigan football, basketball and recruiting content for free.
At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Rudolph is the No. 304 overall prospect and No. 32 linebacker in the country, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four primary recruiting media services.
The Wolverine takes a look at where things currently stand for Michigan.
Why It Will Be Michigan
U-M heads into the ceremony with a 93.8 percent lead to land Rudolph, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM). Running in second behind Ohio State for much of the winter and spring before vaulting in front in mid-May, the Wolverines brought in Rudolph for two visits this offseason, including his official on June 9. Selling Rudolph and his family on education, development, relationships and proximity, Michigan was the second of three schools to see him appear on campus last month, along with Pitt and Miami. Co-defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale, defensive line coach Mike Elston, pass rush specialist Dylan Roney and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter have led the way in establishing solid relationships with Rudolph.
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Why It Won’t Be Michigan
When Rudolph transferred to Deerfield Beach (Fla.) High back in February, the Florida schools quickly jumped in the mix. With the junior residing less than an hour from Coral Gables, Miami upped its recruiting efforts to show Rudolph why he should remain south instead of heading back to the Midwest. The Hurricanes were the final program to get an official visit from Rudolph in June before he publicly reported his plans to announce today. Pitt has been a mainstay on Rudolph’s offer sheet for quite some time.
Prediction
Rudolph is a true Ohioan, and his recruitment has consistently felt like a Midwest battle. Michigan’s path to earning a commitment from Rudolph became much easier once he canceled his scheduled official visit to Ohio State on the final weekend of June. Miami’s efforts in the world of NIL are unmatched, but again, competing against Michigan being only a four-hour drive from his hometown of Cincinnati is challenging. Michigan’s history of EDGE development, the education routes Rudolph can pursue and the bonds made with more than just one coaching staff member are also strong factors in U-M’s favor. The Wolverines appear to have done enough.
