Pearlie Graves Commits: Michigan Adds Another to Stellar Defensive Line Class

Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez has done a good job putting together what is easily the best defensive line class in 2009. But the Wolverines aren't finished as they added another member to their 2009 class.

Oklahoma defensive tackle Pearlie Graves has been favoring the Wolverines for weeks but had to take care of some responsibilities before he made it official. He's finished what he has to, and Wednesday he announced his commitment.

Graves took officials to both Michigan and Texas Tech, after which he suspended all other official visits and named Michigan an outright leader. Yesterday he pledged his services to the Maize & Blue.

"I felt good about what I wanted to do and felt good about the school," Graves told rivals.com. "I wanted to accomplish a goal, and I think Michigan will accomplish my goals. I told them today and talked to the head coach.

"At first I talked to Coach (Jay) Hopson and then I talked to the head coach. They were all happy and surprised. They said they were ready to move on to the next level with this stuff."

When Graves named Michigan his leader earlier this month he was ready to commit, but his mother insisted that he check out other schools to make sure he was making the right decision. Pearlie felt that his mother didn't really understand how good he felt about Michigan, so recently he sat down with her and expressed his feelings.

"I sat down with my mom and said, 'Mom, I think I am ready to sign.' She said, 'Let me take a wild guess...Michigan.' I said 'Yeah, how'd you know that?' She said, 'The way you changed your attitude when you came back from that trip, it kind of seemed like it opened up your eyes a little bit.'

"A lot of schools opened my eyes, but Michigan was the brightest. I think because they are an upcoming program and change is a big word, especially when you are talking about football. Stepping into something like that with the new coaching staff and the incoming freshman, I feel God is telling me he wants me to be a part of that change and a part of that new scenery they are going to have up there."

Despite being solid with the Wolverines, Graves is still going to take some visits to the other schools he was considering.

"It's very solid. No hard feelings toward any other schools, but I really feel there aren't any other schools out there like this," Graves said. "I'm going to still take my visits. I'm going to go ahead and finish up my visits, take them all, and just have fun."

The 6'3", 230-pound prospect could be the replacement for five-star William Campbell if he chooses not to recommit.

Graves becomes the 19th member of the 2009 class, which is now ranked as the 13th-best in the country and will improve as Florida safety Vladimir Emilien is announcing on Sunday and favors the Wolverines.