Counter Intel is the smart Ohio State fan's look at recruiting action taking place within the Big Ten and top national programs.
Michigan Loses the VanSumerens
After picking up two defensive tackles last week, Michigan's depth chart at that position got a lot more crowded, and it led to the de-commitment of one: 2022 four-star Alex VanSumeren.
Although I will always be grateful for the opportunity, I am no longer committed to the University of Michigan. My recruitment is open. #thegrindneverstops @AllenTrieu @JoshHelmholdt @TomVH
— Alex VanSumeren (@alexvansumeren) February 12, 2021
VanSumeren is the fourth-highest-rated player in the state of Michigan for the 2022 class, and the No. 16 overall defensive tackle. His brother, Ben VanSumeren, announced his transfer on Friday after recording just eight tackles as a junior a year ago. He moved from fullback to linebacker for the 2020 season and now will be leaving Ann Arbor.
Michigan, as they seem to every offseason, has suffered significant attrition since the end of the season. They have seen departures from:
Transfer Portal
- RB Zach Charbonnet
- RB Christian Turner
- DE Luiji Vilain
- C Zach Carpenter
- P Will Hart
- LB Ben VanSumeren
NFL Draft
- DE Kwity Paye
- RB Chris Evans
- LB Cam McGrone
- K Quinn Nordin
- T Jalen Mayfield
Decommitments:
- 2021 DE Quintin Somerville
- 2022 DT Alex VanSumeren
Elijah Brown Commits to Alabama
For the second year in a row, Alabama will feature an Ohio tight end in its recruiting class, as 2022 Wayne High School star Elijah Brown will suit up for the Crimson Tide.
C O M M I T T E D. #RTR @AlabamaFTBL pic.twitter.com/L0iLTQCPGQ
— Elijah Brown (@eb_knows) February 12, 2021
The 6'5 Brown is rated as the No. 13 tight end in the 2022 class, and the No. 11 player in the state of Ohio. He caught 20 passes for 278 yards a year ago and also served as Wayne's punter.
Brown joins Caden Clark, the brother of former Ohio State quarterback commit Danny Clark, as Ohio tight ends in Tuscaloosa. I say "in Tuscaloosa" rather than "on Alabama's roster" because, in true Saban fashion, Clark gray-shirted in 2020 and was not on scholarship as he recovered from a knee injury.
Pickerington Offensive Lineman Picks Rutgers
It is no secret that Greg Schiano's return to Piscataway has created the most optimism surrounding the Rutgers program since... Schiano left Piscataway. After a mixed run as the Ohio State defensive coordinator, Schiano understands the talent level in Ohio and how it would be a major boost to the Rutgers program to be able to steal some recruits away from teams that have picked off players Ohio State might not have room for.
Normally, it would be expected that a player like Kwabena Asamoah would pick a team like Michigan State, Cincinnati, or Kentucky. Instead, however, he committed to Rutgers.
COMMITTED #FTC #CHOP22 pic.twitter.com/nBkmcANRlv
— Kwabena Kobe Asamoah (@Kwab3naaa) February 7, 2021
Asamoah is rated as the No. 23 player in Ohio for the 2022 class, and the No. 22 offensive guard. He is the sixth commitment for Rutgers' 2022 class, and the first in that class from Ohio.
