devin hightower

MD LB Osman Savage became Michigan’s highest-rated 2020 prospect upon his commitment a couple weeks ago, his composite 0.9115 edging out the 0.9026 currently held by MI CB (and future Under Armour All-America Game participant) Andre Seldon. The Wolverine’s Bradon Brown recently caught up with Savage and his co-head coach, and his recruitment is a reminder that there’s still a long time until early-but-actually-now-basically-regular signing day. Savage told Brown that he plans to visit Michigan as often as possible to make sure that it’s the right place for him.

"The coaches are supportive of me with whatever decision I make," Savage said. "Because Coach [Biff] Poggi’s son went there he likes the fit for me a lot. I do still have requests to come to other schools for visits but I don’t know what I’m going to do about that. The coaches have said they 100-percent support what I want to do."

Savage attends Baltimore’s St. Frances Academy, one of the most talent-rich programs in the country; they finished 2018 ranked fifth in the nation, per Maxpreps. Should Savage sign with Michigan, could this open up a pipeline? It doesn’t hurt that former Michigan staffer Biff Poggi is St. Frances’ co-head coach; on top of that, co-head coach Henry Russell told Brown that St. Frances’ staff is bringing a group of players to visit Ann Arbor later this week. Savage told Brown that he’ll be in his teammates ear about Michigan if they’re a fit for the program, are interested, and if he likes their style of play. He seems to be all about the fit, so I’m guessing that just means that you’re not going to get a look if you’re known among teammates as the guy who solves his problems with contemplative passivity.

He’s a good fit on the field as well, and Savage told as much to Brown in discussing Don Brown’s linebacker-friendly system. His head coach raved about Savage’s play to Brown, touching on his high IQ, athleticism, and physicality. A ringing endorsement of his athleticism is seen just in how much Savage plays; Russell told Brown that he’s really St. Frances’ only player who can play both ways for them (he saw time at running back last season).

Everything Russell mentioned is easy to see on film, particularly on defense. Savage takes good angles to the ball and reads the play well, pausing a split second to read which gap the back will hit instead of flinging himself into one—and out of the play. His short-area speed is a plus, as is his consistency in wrapping up on tackles instead of launching his body at the target. Russell said they plan to have Savage make adjustments at the line for the defense, which should make his senior film even more interesting as we look to see whether he’s able to play with the same speed while shouldering the increased responsibility.

[More after THE JUMP]