Dylan Crawford to Michigan: Wolverines Land 4-Star WR Prospect

Although they still have some time to wait before National Signing Day next month, Michigan fans can already start preparing for Dylan Crawford to arrive in Ann Arbor.

The 4-star wide receiver announced his commitment to Jim Harbaugh's team on Saturday, per Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free-Press:

According to 247Sports' composite rankings, Crawford is the 20th-best wideout in the 2016 recruiting class and ranks 113th overall. He's also the 18th-best player in the state of California.

Crawford made major waves in January 2015 when he announced that he was transferring from St. Francis High School to Santa Margarita Catholic High School.

Crawford's father, Glenn, revealed that education was the motivating factor behind the choice, per Aram Tolegian of the San Gabriel Valley Tribune: "Our family has nothing but great feelings for St. Francis and wish them the best in all things. The decision was made to accommodate academic options that would allow Dylan to graduate high school a semester early and allow him to start his life as a collegiate scholar-athlete."

The biggest on-field benefit for Crawford was that he would get paired with quarterback KJ Costello, who's also a 4-star recruit in the 2016 recruiting class. With a player that talented throwing him passes, Crawford couldn't have asked for a better situation to serve as a springboard to the collegiate level.

In addition, the two have a close relationship, taking multiple recruiting trips together:

Crawford is one of those receivers who doesn't have otherworldly gifts, but whatever physical advantage he lacks on a defensive back, he makes up for with on-field intelligence. The wideout knows how to use his hands to gain separation from his defender; he can also adjust his routes so as to be in the best position to make the catch.

That's not to say that Crawford is completely bereft of speed and agility. He possesses a wide variety of skills that will allow him to play a few different roles in the passing game.

The Wolverines currently have the nation's second-ranked recruiting class for 2016, per 247Sports, which doesn't yet factor in Crawford's commitment. Harbaugh is stockpiling a lot of impact talent after his first season with the program.

This is unlikely to be Michigan's biggest catch of the recruiting season, but Crawford has the potential to be a difference-maker in the Wolverines' offense in a few years.

Recruit star ratings and rankings via 247Sports, unless otherwise noted.