The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1513253
54 THE WOLVERINE ❱ JANUARY 2024 ❱ COMMIT PROFILE BY EJ HOLLAND I t didn't take long for Deyvid Palepale to realize he made a mistake. The three-star 2024 defensive lineman out of Manheim Township (Pa.) High gave USC a verbal commitment shortly after his official visit there in the sum- mer. Palepale, who is originally from Alaska, grew up a USC fan and still has family out west. However, Michigan was always in the back of his mind. The Wolverines made a huge impression on him and his family in the offseason. With national signing day quickly approaching, Palepale decided he needed to flip his commitment from USC to U-M. "I think we rushed it a little bit," Pale- pale said. "I committed onsite at USC. After letting it settle, I realized that five- hour plane ride is a lot longer than it seemed in my head. Not only that, I took in the fact that the degree is a lateral step, especially in accounting, which I want to major in. "Coach [Mike] Elston played a big part, and so did Coach [Jim] Harbaugh. Seeing what those guys went through during the season and still coming out undefeated and finishing No. 1 definitely played a role." Palepale recalls watching Michigan vs. Penn State in November and being blown away when U-M defensive lineman Ken- neth Grant hawked down PSU running back Kaytron Allen. It was at that very moment that Palepale reached out to Elston, Michigan's defensive line coach. The two began to have more serious conversations about a potential flip. After some discussions with head coach Harbaugh, Palepale switched his verbal pledge behind the scenes. "I told Coach Elston around Thanks- giving that I wanted to be at Michigan," Palepale said. "They had Thanksgiving break after practice that week, and I got the green light from Coach Harbaugh. "I called USC and told them it was a done deal. I kept it silent because I couldn't reach Coach [Lincoln] Riley. I wanted to make sure there were no sour feelings. A week after I made my com- mitment to USC, I kept saying Michigan." Even while committed to USC, Pale- pale kept a close eye on the Wolverines throughout the fall. He was extremely impressed with the play on the defen- sive side of the ball and sees himself as a perfect fit. "It's exciting," Palepale said. "There are a bunch of guys making plays. You have guys in the secondary like Mike Sainristil and Will Johnson and on the defensive line like Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant and Kris Jenkins. There are others, too. "NFL scouts look at who makes plays and who helps make the plays. Michigan does a good job of helping create oppor- tunities for everyone. "I see myself playing a Mason Graham kind of role. A lot of interior stuff — shed- ding, stopping the run and a little bit of pass rush once I get better at that." Palepale built strong relationships with Harbaugh, Elston and defensive coordi- nator Jesse Minter. He has also become friends with several members of Michi- gan's 2024 recruiting class, which is ranked No. 16 nationally. "I'm really close with Dom Nichols [No. 41 edge nationally from Maryland]," Palepale said. "That's my guy. He just won a state championship. I was happy for him. We've always been close. "After my official visit, he told me not to go to USC. He told me he was going to commit to Michigan. I told him I was, too, but then I ended up committing to USC. I should have just waited. I've gotten close with other guys like Luke Hamilton [No. 31 interior lineman in the country from Ohio] and Andrew Sprague [No. 8 offensive tackle in the 2024 class from Missouri]. I was with Owen Wafle [the nation's No. 45 defensive lineman from New Jersey] on my visit, too." Despite missing time with an injury, Palepale tallied 6 total tackles and 3 sacks this past season before transferring from Landisville (Pa.) Hempfield to Manheim (Pa.) Township High in the middle of the season. Palepale is set to arrive in Michigan as a regular enrollee in June. At 6-foot-2, 305 pounds, he is ranked as the No. 78 defensive lineman nationally, per the On3 Industry Ranking, and No. 79 according to On3's own analysts. ❑ U-M Flips 2024 Defensive Lineman Deyvid Palepale From USC Palepale, 6-foot-2, 305 pounds, is rated as the No. 78 defensive lineman in the 2024 class in the On3 Industry Ranking. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND PLAYER EVALUATION STRENGTHS: "I think Palepale plays with a really good center of gravity with a lot of balance. He has a strong power base and takes on multiple blocks. He also can create some destruction by pushing the pocket. "He's a compact defensive lineman. He's well built at 305 pounds but is very stout physically. There's not much bad weight there. He can anchor and move well enough to create some destruction along the interior. He's the type of defensive lineman who you want to have in the Big Ten." AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: "The biggest thing is getting used to the speed of the game and overall development. He needs to be coached up to play against bigger offensive linemen The senior year is critical for development, and I think missing out on that means it's imperative that he gets the coaching and experience in practice. Michigan prides itself on a development program. He might need a little bit more time, but Michigan has the apparatus to develop him." PLAYER COMPARISON: "My comp would be Star Lotulelei, former Utah All-America defensive tackle [and a former 2013 first-round NFL Draft pick and eight-year veteran with the Carolina Panthers and Buffalo Bills]. They have similar builds and skill sets." — On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power