Michigan Wolverines Land Defensive Tackle Ondre Pipkins

According to Rivals, defensive tackle Ondre Pipkins committed to Michigan yesterday afternoon.

This is an absolutely HUGE get for the Michigan program.  Defensive tackle is the biggest need in their 2012 recruiting class, and Pipkins will certainly help fill that need.

His current residence is Kansas City, Missouri, but he is actually originally from Saginaw, Michigan.  He is good friends with former Wolverine LaMarr Woodley, who was also a native of Saginaw.  Pipkins has stated that, like Woodley, he would also like to wear No. 56 in college.

Ondre was in attendance at the Big House's annual BBQ on July 31, and was rumored to be close to committing that day, but obviously never did.  Eight days later, he pulled the trigger and the Michigan family couldn't be happier.

With Mike Martin departing after this year, defensive tackle for the 2012 football season looks to be a huge weakness.  If Will Campbell steps up and plays well this year it would be a big boost, but he hasn't shown that he is able to do that yet.  Quinton Washington likely won't start this year, and could be a question mark heading into 2012.

Richard Ash is only a redshirt freshman and still has a long way to go before he is a significant contributor.  Kenny Wilkins is also a redshirt freshman and likely won't see the field a whole lot this season, and could even end up playing defensive end later in his career.

Terry Talbott's career ending injury isn't too big of a loss, but it does make the depth at defensive tackle even thinner.

Clearly, Pipkins could be a savior for this defensive line.  Michigan is bringing in no true freshman tackles, and before Pipkins committed, only had one committed in the 2012 class.  The one they had committed, Matt Godin, sounds like he may be a better fit at defensive end.

The Michigan coaches have said that this is the final defensive tackle they'll be taking, but most fans realize that this statement may not be entirely true.  Danny O'Brien, another absolute stud at tackle, is strongly considering Michigan.  Most people think he'll end up committing.

If he does want to commit there is no way the Michigan coaches can turn him away.  He is simply too good, and is right out of Flint Powers Catholic High School in Michigan.  If O'Brien does end up committing (which most think he will), this would instantly turn the future of defensive tackle from a weakness to a strength.

It would give the Wolverines enormous size along the line, as O'Brien currently stands 6'2" and weighs just under 300 pounds, while Pipkins amazingly stands 6'3" and weighs 325 pounds.

Pipkins is just another great addition to Michigan's already outstanding 2012 recruiting class.  He is their eleventh 4-star commitment, and the 22nd overall.  Pipkins chose Michigan over offers from schools such as Alabama, Florida, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.

Michigan plans on taking a class of 26, and therefore, are just about done.  Regardless of who the final four may be, Michigan will be looking for one more defensive tackle, one more offensive lineman, and two wide receivers.

The most likely final defensive tackle looks to be Danny O'Brien, while there are a number of candidates for the final offensive line spot.  Two of the better lineman in the country, Joshua Garnett and Zach Banner, are both strongly considering Michigan.

However, it is a lot more likely that the final spot will go to either Adam Bisnowaty or Jordan Diamond.  No matter who the final one is, it will almost certainly be a 4-star.

Whoever the final two receivers are will be interesting to watch as well.  With both Dwayne Stanford and Devin Fuller basically eliminating Michigan, the most likely candidates look to be Jordan Payton, Amara Darboh, Darius Powe, Monty Madaris, and Jehu Chesson.

Payton, Darboh, and Powe are the best of the bunch, as they are all 4-star players.  The best case scenario here would be to land two of those three, but chances are that either Madaris or Chesson will want to commit.

Either way, as long as Michigan gets Payton, Darboh or Powe they'd certainly be happy.

Ondre Pipkins' commitment really solidifies things in Michigan's recruiting class.  Other than Kyle Kalis and Royce Jenkins-Stone, Ondre Pipkins is arguably the biggest pickup of this entire class.