The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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COMMITMENT PROFILE Alexandria (Va.) Episcopal four-star weakside defensive end Luiji Vilain was one of U-M's two defensive line commits in June. The Canada native announced in his hometown near Ot- tawa that he would become a Wol- verine in 2017. Vilain, though, knew the outcome long before his June 12 announcement. "I was already committed before my last visit. I just came back so I could have some reassurance," he said. "I was very solid once I took that trip. I basically told the coaches that I wanted to wait until I got home so that I could announce it with my family." The explosive end developed a rela- tionship with the staff early on that led him to choosing U-M. "I really made a strong connection with the coaching staff," Vilain said. "Coach Greg Mattison, coach Don Brown and coach Jim Harbaugh — all of them. It was also the closest to home out of the schools that I was consider- ing. I just felt the most comfortable there." Rivals.com ranks Vilain No. 10 at his position and No. 180 overall nationally. Mid-Atlantic recruiting analyst Adam Friedman is a big fan of the athletic pass rusher. "I've seen him a lot," Friedman said. "I've gone down to his school for prac- tice a couple of times, and I've seen him at numerous camps. I've even seen him in a seven-on-seven setting where he's played as a tight end. "I know all about his athleticism and how he's developed physically Virginia Defensive End Luiji Vilain Knew It Was Michigan Long Before Announcing Vilain is ranked as the No. 180 overall prospect in the 2017 class by Rivals.com and brings the speed off the edge that Michigan needs along its defensive line. PHOTO COURTESY NICK LUCERO/RIVALS.COM