Former Purdue Commit Jo’Ziah Edmond Flips to Michigan
Michigan missed out on top cornerback target Aaron Scott, but moved quickly to lock one up in the 2024 class. Jo’Ziah Edmond, a three-star athlete from Northwood High School in Indiana, was originally committed to Purdue before flipping to the Wolverines. He is ranked the 65th cornerback and 723rd overall player in the 2024 class per the 247Sports Composite. Edmond committed to Purdue in June, but Michigan was able to flip him just as the calendar turned to August. He also held offers from Wisconsin, Ole Miss, Kentucky, and Baylor. Edmond is the first cornerback commitment in Michigan’s 2024 class and its 27th pledge this cycle. Michigan’s class remains the fourth-rated class in the nation behind Georgia, Ohio State, and Florida.
What Does This Mean for Michigan?
Scott’s commitment to Ohio State wasn’t a surprise, but it appeared to leave Michigan with few options at cornerback. The Wolverines moved quickly to their next targets starting with Edmond. He doesn’t have the same prospect pedigree as Scott, but he is still a quality option. While listed as an athlete by some outlets, Edmond projects to Michigan as a corner. His 6-foot-1, 180-pound frame is on par with what Michigan typically covets at the position. Michigan loves corners that are long and can run, which describes Edmond perfectly when watching his film. He plays both ways for his high school team, but he has the athleticism, ball skills, and playmaking ability to play corner at the college level. He will need time to develop, but he has the physical tools to grow into a contributor long-term.
Flipping Edmond from a Big Ten rival is a bigger win for Michigan than some may realize. Michigan missed out on its top targets but now won’t come away from this cycle without players at the position. The Wolverines will likely want to add at least one more corner but have limited options moving forward. Three-stars Kyan McDonald and Jeremiah Lowe are some of Michigan’s top remaining targets. Lowe is currently crystal-balled to the Wolverines, but time will tell if they can close the commitment. Michigan also offered Michigan State commit Syair Torrence on Monday. He is a two-way player like Edmond, but some outlets believe his best position is at corner.
Outside of corner, Michigan is still pushing to land several top targets. Four-star wide receiver Gatlin Bair is set to announce his commitment on August 5th. Michigan has been the favorite to land Bair, but Boise State, Oregon, TCU, and Nebraska have all made a late push. The Wolverines also remain in the mix for five-star wide receiver Ryan Wingo, four-star safety Zaquan Patterson, and four-star edge rusher Brian Robinson. With the bulk of its class in place, Michigan is putting the final touches on what has become a strong class in the 2024 cycle.
Photo courtesy: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
