Rivals100 DB Myles "Spider" Sims commits to Michigan
When Rivals100 defensive back Myles "Spider" Sims visited Michigan last month, he did so as a matter of due diligence, giving the Wolverines a fair shake before trimming his list down to a handful of favorites. But less than 24 hours after leaving Ann Arbor with his family, Sims knew he had just visited his future college. On Friday, he made his pledge to the Wolverines public.
"When I sat down and re-evaluated that trip to Michigan and compared it with others that's when I realized it," Sims said. "I just thought Michigan had everything I was looking for in a school so why wait any longer?"
Sims, the nation's No. 51 overall player, said he felt like Michigan is on the verge of something special and he wants to be there when it happens.
"Michigan is coming up," Sims said. "With Coach Harbaugh there he's going to take the team to the level where they are competing for national championships. You combine that with the plan they laid out for me academically and their business program and they are setting me up for life after football. Michigan just fits me all the way around."
The tall, rangy Sims is viewed by some as a potential safety at the next level but he said Michigan has laid out a plan to use his size and cover skills at the cornerback position in college.
"They run man most of the time so they are going to move me around depending on the match up," Sims said. "They see me as a versatile guy and not just strictly one position all the time. Being versatile means you get on the field earlier and play special teams and show everything you can do. I like that."
Sims, an early enrollee, hadn't met Jim Harbaugh prior to last month's trip but after spending an extended period time with him face-to-face, he walked away very impressed.
"Getting to know Coach Harbaugh was a big eye-opener," Sims said. "He’s like the foundation of the program, it starts with the head coach. He brings energy to the team. He’s a player’s coach, he’s not always about business but when it’s time for business he’s 'bout it. I can talk to him about anything and the things that he has going for the program is phenomenal."
Sims also credited his primary recruiter, Wolverines assistant coach Chris Partridge, with playing a role in his decision to commit.
"Over time since he first met me when my process first started our relationship has gotten stronger and stronger," Sims said of Patridge. "They were one of the first to offer me and stayed strong the whole time. Some schools offered then disappeared and then came back but he was always there and the bond kept getting stronger."
Sims chose to announce his commitment this week because he and his family will return for Ann Arbor for the Wolverines spring game on April 14.
"I wanted to commit before the game so I can give the fan base, students and alumni a chance to get to know me," Sims said. "When I get up there I know it's going to be nothing but love because I'm part of the Michigan family now."
Sims is the fourth commitment in the 2018 class for the Wolverines and the second four-star from the state of Georgia, joining linebacker Otis Reese.