We don’t know yet where Rashan Gary will attend college and play his football. We do, though, (likely) know where he won’t be headed.
Heading into the stretch run before National Signing Day Wednesday, Gary, the No. 1-rated 2016 recruit according to both Rivals.com and Scout.com, was believed to have a final five that included Auburn, Clemson, Michigan, Ole Miss and USC. Alabama had also been in the running, but seemed to fall by the wayside after Gary opted to take his final official visit to Clemson this past weekend.
Roughly 36 or so hours before he reveals his decision, the defensive tackle has whittled his collegiate to-do list down even further, with his family confirming to Scout that Gary’s two finalists are Clemson and Michigan. Gary is expected to make his announcement official shortly after 1 p.m. ET Wednesday at his high school in Paramus, NJ.
“As it stands right now, if signing day was (Tuesday), Rashan would go on and say he hasn’t decided yet,” said Gary’s mom, Jennifer Coney, told the recruiting website.
Because of a very close and personal connection, the Wolverines are considered by some to be the favorites for the 6-5, 290-pound Gary’s services. Chris Partridge joined UM’s football staff last year before being named linebackers coach and special teams coordinator in the middle of last month. He also just happens to be Gary’s former coach at Paramus Catholic High School.
Along with Gary, three other Rivals Top 10 2016 recruits remain uncommitted: No. 5 Ben Davis (linebacker from Alabama), No. 8 Demetris Robinson (athlete from Georgia) and No. 9 Mique Juarez (linebacker from California). Davis is expected to announce his decision Wednesday morning, with Auburn, Georgia and Notre Dame chasing presumptive frontrunner Alabama.
Announcements for Robinson (Notre Dame is considered the favorite) and Juarez (ticketed for UCLA?) have yet to be scheduled.