The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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46 THE WOLVERINE ❱ AUGUST 2023 ❱ COMMIT PROFILE BY ZACH LIBBY M ichigan landed one of the best pass rushers in the 2024 class on July 3 in four-star Deerfield Beach (Fla.) High's Elias Rudolph. He chose the Wolverines over finalists Miami, Pitts- burgh and Ohio State. "I was a little nervous, but I'm excited right now," Rudolph told The Wolver- ine. "Also, humbled and thriving. Great things are happening at Michigan with the coaching staff, the conference, my major and the environment. "There were a lot of things that went into my decision, and I chose Michigan at the end of the day." Rudolph shut down his recruitment less than a month after taking an official visit to Michigan on June 9. He made his first-ever trip to Ann Arbor in late Janu- ary of this year. "The culture and the inside look of Michigan stood out," Rudolph said. "All of us can see what's happening on the outside, but what happens inside the program is what really stood out to me." Rudolph, ranked as the No. 25 edge rusher and No. 302 overall prospect na- tionally by the On3 Industry Ranking (a weighted average that utilizes all four primary recruiting media services), is the third Cincinnati native in Michi- gan's 2024 recruiting class. H e j o i n s fo u r- s ta r A rc h b i s h o p Moeller running back Jordan Marshall, On3's No. 31 overall recruit and second- best running back in the country, and three-star St. Xavier defensive lineman Ted Hammond, On3's No. 15-ranked player in the state. "Michigan might finish with one of the best recruiting classes in 2024," Rudolph said. "We are going to end up winning the national title these next few years." Michigan co-defensive coordina- tor and area recruiter Steve Clinkscale offered Rudolph in April 2022. Their communication this offseason never faltered following Rudolph's move to South Florida this past February. Clinkscale's success with recruiting Ohio has included four signees in the 2023 class and five verbal commits for 2024. Along with Rudolph, Marshall and Hammond, four-star Avon (Ohio) High interior offensive lineman Luke Hamilton and three-star Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward offensive tackle Ben Roebuck are also on board. Rudolph also built strong connec- tions with U-M staffer Dylan Roney, defensive line coach Mike Elston and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. In meetings with the coaches on his June official visit, Rudolph was told that his freakish athleticism was desired in Ann Arbor. "Coach Clink and I have a relationship that's on a deeper level," Rudolph said. "As young Black men, we just sync, and we keep it real with each other. I have his respect, and he has my respect. "All of the coaches were preaching about how much they need me and what I mean for their program. It was really impressive, and it's good with them." At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Rudolph has the physical frame to gain signifi- cant weight in college and maintain, if not improve, his lauded speed off the edge. According to Rudolph's HUDL ac- count, his verified 40-yard dash time is 4.60 seconds. Rudolph is a two-time first-team All- Ohio selection, earing Division IV first- team honors as a junior and first-team Division V recognition as a sophomore. Last fall, he was named the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference Co-Defen- sive Player of the Year. As a sophomore and junior, he helped lead Taft High to a combined 21-6 over- all record, including 10-1 in conference play. In 2022, Rudolph finished with 87 tackles and 17.5 sacks. ❑ Florida Edge Rusher Elias Rudolph Brings Ohio Connection The On3 Industry Ranking lists Rudolph as the No. 25 edge rusher and No. 302 overall prospect in the land. PHOTO BY ZACH LIBBY PLAYER EVALUATION STRENGTHS: "Initially, we went back and forth between Elias' rankings in terms of his position, whether he was a linebacker or an edge. He's a straight edge at his high school, and he has a lot of explosive abilities and outstanding move- ment skills. His closing speed is one of his biggest strengths. He makes a lot of plays behind the line of scrimmage as a pure speed rusher." AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: "From a size and frame perspective, he has a smaller frame and is not overly long. The biggest thing for him will be maximizing his size to play on the edge long term. He's around 200 pounds, and he'll need to get bigger. The unknown is his growth potential physically, given that he has a smaller frame." PLAYER COMPARISON: "Kamalei Correa from Boise State, who was drafted in the second round back in 2016 [by the Baltimore Ravens], would be one. Nik Bonitto from Oklahoma [sec- ond-round pick by the Denver Broncos in 2022] would be another who is closely relatable to Elias because they're all 6-foot-3 speed rushers." — On3 director of scouting and rankings Charles Power