The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1516256
2024 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ 44 THE WOLVERINE ❱ MARCH 2024 BY EJ HOLLAND Lugard Edokpayi was a complete un- known to most of the recruiting world before his senior season. At 6-foot-6, 225 pounds, Edokpayi had the frame and potential but still appeared to be a bit of a project. That changed in the fall, when the On300 edge from Forest- ville (Md.) Bishop McNamara impressed against tough competition from around the DMV. Edokpayi notched his first Power Five offer from Virginia in September and blew up on the trail with multiple scholarships from top programs around the country. "He wasn't recruited when I got here [in 2022]," Bishop McNamara coach Greg Calhoun said. "He didn't have anybody looking at him. He didn't even play var- sity. He was a JV guy before I got here. "He took everything I said as a coach and ran with it. He means a lot to us. It's a good opportunity for him, but it's also a good opportunity for our guys to see what that process looks like. We've had some guys before that have played at the next level prior to me getting here. But now, guys get to be part of the process and see it themselves. "They saw him gain traction in the spring and blow up in the fall. It shows that everybody's process is different. Lu didn't get his first Power Five offer un- til September. Just trust the process, and you'll be OK." Edokpayi made official visits to Mary- land, Michigan, Minnesota and Rutgers before ultimately committing to the Wol- verines during the early signing period. It was a whirlwind of a process for Edokpayi, who had to build relationships and make a decision in a quick manner. Michigan did a fantastic job of selling Edokpayi and his family on the program's fit on and off the field. "The visit really did set into stone that I wanted to go there," Edokpayi said. "They call it, 'Best Chance U,' because you get No. 1 academics, and you also get to play at a great program and compete against the best. It's really the best of both worlds. "Michigan is a blue-blood program, and it's been in the game for a long time. I'm definitely excited to be able to win and compete for a championship every year. It's a very good program to go into." Edokpayi was one of the biggest rank- ings risers of the cycle. The talented pass rusher shot all the way up to the No. 40 overall prospect nationally in On3's rank- ings, putting him close to five-star ter- ritory. While he still has work to do from a technical standpoint, it's clear Edokpayi has some of the biggest upside in Michi- gan's 2024 recruiting class. "I think he has the potential to be a first-round guy. He has the length, frame and twitch," Calhoun said. "Sometimes, guys his size are a little lethargic. But he actually shows that he has the twitch. "Michigan does have the track record, and he would have the opportunity to be one of those first-round draft picks. You want a guy that can get to the quarterback and cause havoc, especially in the NFL with the way quarterbacks are now. He has the athleticism to maneuver." ❑ Sky's The Limit For Fast-Rising Edge Rusher Lugard Edokpayi Edokpayi went from a virtual unknown to being ranked by On3 as the No. 40 prospect nationally and No. 6 edge. PHOTO COURTESY LUGARD EDOKPAYI 2024 Projection Edokpayi has first-round NFL Dra pick poten al wri en all over him. He could follow a very similar career path as former Michigan edge David Ojabo. Like Ojabo, Edokpayi will have to sit and learn for a while before making a true impact. He will also need to develop physically in the Michigan strength and condi oning program. STATISTICS Year Tackles TFL Sacks 2023 22 10 5 HONORS • All-WCAC first team honoree (2023). • PrepStar All-Atlan c Region (2023). RECRUITMENT • Pledged to Michigan Dec. 20, 2023, a er receiving offer in November 2023. • Picked U-M over notable offers from Florida State, Maryland and Texas A&M. • Recruited by U-M defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. DID YOU KNOW? • Also le ered in basketball. • Began his high school career as a wide receiver. • Son of Lugard and Denise Edokpayi • Born May 10, 2006. THEY SAID IT On3 director of scou ng and rankings Charles Power: "He has an elite frame with a lot of room to con nue filling out. He's a lean 225 [pounds] with long arms, big hands and a later birthday. He's someone who I think is going to look different physically a er a year or two of being on campus. He's a twitchy mover and very athle c and uses his length well. He's just scratching the surface of what looks to be a pre y immense upside." LUGARD EDOKPAYI EDGE 6-6 • 225 BISHOP MCNAMARA BOWIE, MD. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 116 14 3 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 40 6 1 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 158 14 6 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 258 35 7 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — — — INDUSTRY