Donovan Peoples-Jones Set to Commit: Odds on Where the 5-Star WR Ends Up

By Thursday evening, the roller-coaster ride that is recruiting will come to a halt for Detroit 5-star wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones. He is expected to make a nationally televised announcement and choose to play in the Big Ten, the ACC or the SEC.

The big question: Will Peoples-Jones do what many are anticipating? Or will the Cass Tech High School standout, a guy who has done a decent job of keeping people guessing throughout his high school career, make a pledge that will catch some off guard?

After all, Peoples-Jones isn't your conventional recruit. Remember his Biblical back-and-forth with new Twitter followers in June? And let's not forget his place in the fight against the NCAA banning satellite camps.

Peoples-Jones is someone who oftentimes marches to the beat of his own drum. It's a leadership quality that a number of schools want in their student-athletes. On Thursday, the world will find out if he's headed out of state to Ohio State, Florida or Florida State, or if he will play close to home at Michigan or Michigan State.

Let's take a look at the odds on where Peoples-Jones ends up:

Michigan (2-1)

It will be a shock to many if Peoples-Jones doesn't pick Michigan on Thursday. He took an official visit to Ann Arbor last week, and he's held the Wolverines in high regard for months. He told Bleacher Report that he has built great relationships with the majority of the coaching staff, particularly head coach Jim Harbaugh, wide receivers coach Jedd Fisch and running backs coach Tyrone Wheatley.

Additionally, the Michigan roster features a few Cass Tech alumni, which could be an advantage with familiarity and comfort for Peoples-Jones.

If Michigan lands Peoples-Jones, it could be the second stage of what's expected to be a huge week in recruiting. The Wolverines landed Tarik Black Wednesday, and in the next five days, offensive linemen Isaiah Wilson and Cesar Ruiz will announce their commitments. Both are expected to choose Michigan.

Ohio State (4-1)

As long as Urban Meyer is the head coach, the Ohio State Buckeyes always will have a shot at landing an elite athlete. Peoples-Jones, as a Detroit athlete, would hurt the feelings of Michigan fans near and far, but if you scan Ohio State's football roster, you'll notice that the Buckeyes almost have as many Cass Tech alums as the Wolverines.

Ohio State's class is one of the best Meyer's had in his tenure, and the class is going head-to-head with Alabama as 2017's best overall. Peoples-Jones would be the Buckeyes' seventh 5-star pledge—and another offensive weapon for what is shaping up to be a super-scary wide receiver corps.

You can bet that 5-star Trevon Grimes and 4-star Tyjon Lindsey have been in Peoples-Jones' ear. The idea of those three in a three-receiver formation can give defenders nationwide fits. And even though Harbaugh's denied leaving, per Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press, what about that rumor about him leaving for the NFL? Could that somehow work in Ohio State's favor?

Michigan State (5-1)

Credit: Scout.com

If there's a school that can keep Peoples-Jones out of maize and blue, it's the school donning green and white. East Lansing isn't far from his home, and the opportunity for early playing time is definitely there for a player of Peoples-Jones' caliber.

Michigan State has been in touch with Peoples-Jones since his sophomore year, so he has a solid relationship with the coaching staff. The problem with the Spartans, however, may be how the team finished this past season. Michigan State was 3-9 and, at one time, lost seven in a row.

The Spartans' class has two 4-star commits in Hunter Rison and Cody White. An addition like Peoples-Jones would have the recruiting world buzzing in East Lansing.

Florida and Florida State (7-1)

While the weather is something Peoples-Jones easily would adjust to, his choosing either one of the Florida schools would be considered a recruiting upset.

That's not to say he didn't like the schools. He spoke with Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports about how Florida State compared him to Myron Rolle athletically and academically, as Rolle not only played in the NFL but also was a Rhodes Scholar. Peoples-Jones also discussed putting on a Florida uniform and then studying to become a doctor with Bob Redman of Scout.com.

Still, the idea of playing a little closer to home is something that needs to be considered. He is very close with his family. Of Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State, the longest road trip for a home game for his family would be a little over three hours to the Horseshoe in Columbus.

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of Scout.com. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles