The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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58 THE WOLVERINE AUGUST 2021 COMMITMENT PROFILE M ichigan landed a string off com- mitments in June, including a hidden gem in three-star offensive lineman Alessandro Lorenzetti. A native of Canada, Lorenzetti at- tended boarding school at Windsor (Conn.) Loomis Chaffee last year but saw his entire junior season get canceled due to the COVID-19 pan- demic. With a lack of updated film, Lorenzetti mostly flew under the ra- dar this offseason. When the dead period was lifted in June, Lorenzetti attended camps across the country and impressed staffs with his perfor- mances. Soon after, Lorenzetti became one of the hottest recruits nationally. But one school stood out from the rest — Michigan. "Michigan just checked off my boxes," Lorenzetti said. "I was look- ing for a school that I could see myself going to if I weren't playing football. I felt like I had the offers I wanted. It was more about which school was going to set me up after football. The NFL isn't guaranteed. Academically, Michigan is going to set me up better than any other school. "From a football aspect, I love the coaches. After seeing it the first time, I knew Michigan was where I wanted to go. Going back for my official visit really solidified that. I just fell in love with Michigan." Lorenzetti committed to Michigan over fellow finalists Michigan State and Penn State. He also held offers from Baylor, Georgia, Indiana, Syra- cuse, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech and others. As Lorenzetti mentioned, his of- ficial visit to U-M really sealed the deal. Lorenzetti was extremely im- pressed with the campus and overall vibe in Ann Arbor. "I really liked the campus," Loren- zetti said. "Ann Ar- bor is a really nice town. I'm from Montreal in Can- ada, and Ann Ar- bor is very similar. "I love The Big House. The first time walking in The Big House was a crazy, surreal experience. I just loved everything I had to see." While on the visit, Lorenzetti had a chance to hang out with future teammates like Will Johnson, Con- nor Jones, Kody Jones and Mario Eu- genio. Since then, the group has been building a tight bond. "I've been talking to the other com- mits, and we've been texting back and forth," Lorenzetti said. "We've been talking about visiting again and things like that. I really liked meeting them on the visit. They are all really nice guys. That was part of my deci- sion, too. I need to feel comfortable with everyone." Of course, the staff also played a huge role in closing with Lorenzetti. Both offensive line coach Sherrone Moore and head coach Jim Har- baugh were actively involved in his recruitment. "Coach Moore is a really nice guy," Lorenzetti said. "I like him a lot. I've bonded well with him. When I first met him, we hit it off right off the bat. I like his personality. It's his first year being an offensive line coach, but I saw what I needed to see. Haters can hate, but I think he's a really good offensive line coach. I jelled well with him. I could see myself being friends with him if I weren't playing football. "I like Coach Harbaugh a lot. I think he's a straightforward guy. When he says something, he means it. He's a serious guy and doesn't mess around. I could see myself doing well with him. I got to go to his house and meet his dad and his brother. That was just a really cool experience." Lorenzetti was recruited as a tackle, but has the flexibility to play anywhere along the offensive line. At 6-6, 275 pounds, Lorenzetti is rated as a 5.6 prospect by Rivals.com. — EJ Holland Wolverines Land Canadian Offensive Lineman Alessandro Lorenzetti Lorenzetti — a 6-6, 275-pounder who attended boarding school at Windsor (Conn.) Loomis Chaffee last year — picked U-M over fellow finalists Michigan State and Penn State. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM PLAYER EVALUATION Strengths: Alessandro Lorenzetti spent his offseason shedding bad weight and adding muscle mass. He now has a solid frame to go along with the height of a typical left tackle. However, what makes him extremely intriguing is the fact that he can play multiple positions along the offensive line. He will likely start off inside early in his U-M career and work his way out. Along with versatility, he brings great athleticism and flexibility. Areas of Improvement: Lorenzetti played in Canada early on in his high school career and missed his entire junior season. Getting adjusted to competition level and game speed will be key for him early. He can continue to develop from a technical perspective, particularly hand placement and feet. While he has reshaped his body, he still needs to add strength in the weight room to better finish off blocks against better competition. Michigan player comparison: Lorenzetti could end up being a steal from a Northeast boarding school just like Tristan Bounds was last cycle. Bounds was very raw early on and a relative unknown before blowing up thanks to individual workout film. Lorenzetti has had a similar path to Michigan. Like Bounds, Lorenzetti has the height, athleticism and flexibility of a high-level tackle. He just has to put it all together in Ann Arbor. — EJ Holland Lorenzetti "Michigan just checked off my boxes. I was looking for a school that I could see my- self going to if I weren't play- ing football."