UM Football Loses Pledges Over Gaffes
By: Will Burchfield
@burchie_kid
The recruiting trail for Michigan football is suddenly riddled with potholes.
Three-star 2018 offensive guard Jalil Irvin (per Scout.com) announced his decommitment from Michigan on Tuesday morning, becoming the third player to do so in the last 24 hours.
Four-star 2018 defensive end Leonard Taylor and four-star 2017 defensive tackle Aubrey Solomon both decommitted on Monday.
For the Wolverines, Solomon is a particularly large loss, graded as the fifth best DT in his class and the 54th best player overall. And Michigan has no one but themselves to blame for his decommitment, as Solomon cited a erroneous letter he received from the program as the impetus for his decision.
"A day or two ago, they sent my mom a card thanking us for going to the Michigan BBQ, but we never went," Solomon told 247Sports. "I do not know which recruit they were talking to, but it was not me. It was just a little heartbreaking, for me to supposedly be so high on their list, for them to confuse me with someone else. Plus they spelled both of my names wrong after I told them, but that was not the main issue. I guess they do not have tabs on me."
Solomon announced his decommitment via Twitter, but said a reunion with Michigan isn't out of the question. The Georgia-native is also considering Alabama, Clemson, Auburn, Georgia and USC.
God Bless ???? pic.twitter.com/Uub9inc0Da
— Aubrey Solomon (@AubreySolomon91) August 22, 2016
Leonard Taylor also took to Twitter to announce his decommitment, explaining he wants to re-evaluate his decision. He is drawing interest from Ohio State and Notre Dame, among other schools.
— Lenny T ???? (@_Lenny_T_20) August 22, 2016
With the Wolverines reeling, Irvin poured salt in the wound on Tuesday morning, announcing he, too, isn't so sure Michigan is the best destination for him.
These three losses come on the heels of Michigan suffering late attrition from their 2016 class, when 11 players went back on their original commitments.
Michigan's 2017 class now ranks eighth overall (per Scout.com) with 18 total commitments, although they don't have a single top-100 recruit.
They are down to two commitments for 2018.