Four-star WR Tay’Shawn Trent picks Michigan
Michigan landed its second top five class of 2022 in-state prospect of the week on Wednesday when Eastpointe (Mich.) four-star wide receiver Tay’Shawn Trent committed to the Wolverines. Trent announced his decision on social media Wednesday afternoon, and credited several strong connections to the Michigan program for this decision.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trent had narrowed his list of 15 scholarship offers down to a top eight in December, but just five of those schools remained in the final weeks leading up to his decision: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State and West Virginia. Trent had strong relationships with coaches at all five schools, and several friends committed to teams on that list as well. The commitment of five-star Will Johnson to Michigan on Sunday was particularly impactful in this decision, as Trent and Johnson have long been friends and workout partners at Sound Mind Sound Body in Detroit. Head coach Jim Harbaugh made some changes with his coaching staff that appear to have boosted Michigan’s in-state recruiting efforts, at least in the short term. One of those changes was bringing former player and local high school coach Ron Bellamy onto the staff.
IN HIS WORDS
“I chose to go to Michigan. I call it ‘The Bellamy Effect.’ Coach Bellamy is a cool dude, coached in-state at West Bloomfield. I (also) had a strong relationship with coach (Josh) Gattis and Sherrone Moore.
“I just want to play at Michigan, plus my guy Will is going there. Playing on offense, scoring and then seeing my boy Will lock up another receiver, that would be awesome.
“I am a possession receiver, but if people see my film I can be a little jiggy and get some more yards after the catch.”
RIVALS’ REACTION
Michigan has struggled to recruit in-state consistently during much of Jim Harbaugh’s tenure, but the last three months have seen a shift in that trend. The Wolverines landed Rivals100 prospects Donovan Edwards and Rayshaun Benny to close out the 2021 class, and now add two of the state’s top five prospects in the 2022 class just days apart. Getting Trent on-board now will prove to be big for the Wolverines, I expect. They lost commitments from two others in the top five, and are in a tough battle with Notre Dame for linebacker Joshua Burnham, who ranks No. 3 in the class.
Trent has shown the suddenness and athleticism to be successful on the outside in college, but his frame could easily play at 235-240 in college without sacrificing quickness or agility. So, I do see his highest upside being as a flex tight end, but if he continues to stay mindful of his speed there is no reason Trent cannot be a big, outside wide receiver for the Wolverines in the mold of Devin Funchess.