No. 1 Recruit Rashan Gary a Major Haul for Michigan, Should Start Right Away

Michigan landed the most anticipated pledge of national signing day when 5-star defensive tackle and No. 1 overall recruit Rashan Gary announced his commitment to the Wolverines.

Gary selected the Wolverines over offers from programs such as Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, LSU and Ole Miss. 

With Gary in the fold, Michigan and head coach Jim Harbaugh have assembled a class that sits at No. 6 nationally and second in the Big Ten, only behind rival Ohio State.

Now that Gary is bound for Ann Arbor, what does his commitment mean to the Wolverines? 

It's monumental in a number of ways. 

For starters, as Paul Myerberg of The USA Today noted, it's the first time a non-SEC program has landed the nation's No. 1 overall recruit since 2008. 

Perhaps more importantly than making a national splash, his presence fills a need at defensive tackle that was among the most pressing objectives the Wolverines had in their 2016 cycle. 

According to Ourlads, the Wolverines lost two of their top four interior defensive linemen to graduation.

While Gary would have to beat out a pair of upperclassmen to earn a starting nod, as Bleacher Report's Tyler Donohue noted, he's not a typical D-line recruit.

From a physical standpoint, Gary has college measurables at 6'5", 293 pounds with a sub 4.8-time in the 40-yard dash. Additionally, he's versatile and athletic enough to play defensive end in pass-rush situations. 

As his trainer, Peter Kafaf, mentioned to Donohue, what separates Gary from the pack is how advanced he is in learning the nuances of being an elite defensive lineman.

"He is two years ahead of almost any high school lineman in the country when it comes to college-level technique," Kafaf told Donohue. "That technique builds off itself, so I expect him to be perfecting it during these next few seasons while other kids are just attempting to learn it."

Gary was practically unblockable going against the nation’s top offensive line prospects at The Opening—the premier showcase on the summer camp circuit—in each of the last two years.

Todd Huber, who is the director of football at Student Sports, works closely with offensive and defensive lineman at camps such as The Opening. He’s gotten to work with Gary extensively over the last two years and noted that Gary is among the most dominant performers he’s seen since he’s been involved with the event.

"As an offensive lineman, you've got to pick your poison because of the leverage and effort he plays with,” Huber told Donohue. “If you stop Rashan on his first move, he'll throw another one at you. If you stop his second move, he's ready to counter with another.” 

Of Michigan’s 32 sacks last season, 21.5 were logged by departing seniors, as detailed by CFBStats.com. 

Gary, who notched 110 tackles and 27.5 sacks over the last two seasons at Paramus Catholic High School (New Jersey), is a freakish athlete who can infuse the Wolverines defense with an immediate pass-rush presence. 

With the package of attributes he will bring with him to Ann Arbor, Gary is capable of making an impact the minute he steps foot on campus.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.