Michigan Football: 3 signees who’ll have instant impacts in 2021

Although there’s some uncertainty surrounding Michigan football, there are some 2021 class signees who could help turn things around right away.

It’s been quite the offseason for Jim Harbaugh. After a disappointing 2020 season in which Michigan finished in second-to-last place in the Big Ten East, losing to Michigan State and Penn State before cancelling the Ohio State game due to COVID-19, Harbaugh was firmly planted on the hot seat.

Fortunately for the head coach, he was able to strike an extension with the Wolverines and his leash was actually cut shorter as he took a pay cut and his buyout was made cheaper.

That means the 2021 season may be do or die for the veteran head coach. If he can’t get the job done this upcoming season, especially with another top 10 recruiting class coming in, he could be on his way out of Ann Arbor.

Which 2021 class signees could help him out and have an immediate impact this season?

Look away, Michigan State fans, this one is going to hurt. Rayshaun Benny was committed to Mel Tucker and MSU for a couple of months and then signed with Michigan on National Signing Day, giving the Wolverines a much-needed boost on the defensive line.

Michigan’s defensive line has lost a lot over the past couple of years and with Kwity Paye and Carlo Kemp moving on, landing Benny is all the more important.

This was a big recruiting win for Jim Harbaugh for multiple reasons, but filling a position of need with a top-200 blue-chip recruit from the state of Michigan was the biggest victory. Beating out your in-state rival for a top recruit was just icing on the cake.

Benny should see the field early on with his 6-5, 275-pound frame. Will he play end or tackle? That’s the biggest question but Michigan could use him at both.