The Michigan football program has flipped a highly-regarded prospect out of Belleville who was committed to another Power Four team: it just wasn’t a quarterback.
Elijah Dotson, a class of 2025 four-star defensive back who plays for the Tigers and is teammates with the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect, Bryce Underwood, has flipped his pledge from the University of Pittsburgh and will instead call Ann Arbor home.
The Free Press reported last week a source with knowledge of the situation said all current indications are that Underwood will remain with the LSU Tigers.
A two-way standout at defensive back and wide receiver, Dotson stands 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds and is being recruited to play safety in Ann Arbor. Dotson, who began his career at University of Detroit Jesuit, is the No. 2 rated recruit in the state (behind only Underwood) and is the No. 14 rated safety and No. 191 overall rated prospect in the class, according to 247Sports Composite rankings.
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“Has played a little of everything from safety, corner, receiver, return man and some wildcat quarterback in high school,” writes 247Sprots national recruiting analyst Alan Trieu. “Has above average size and plays physically. Will put his face in the action in run support and will get his hands on receivers if playing man to man. Violent striker who delivered even more impact as a tackler his senior year.
“Receiver background helps in his ball skills. Versatile and can play deep in the secondary or come into the box as well as match-up one on one with slots and tight ends.”
Dotson is a four-time AAU Junior Olympian in track and a three-time All-State hurdler, running a 14.47 in the 100 meter hurdles and a 39.05 in the 300 meter hurdles. Dotson is now the fourth top-250 defensive back in the class, joining safety Kainoa Winston and cornerbacks Shamari Earls and Jayden Sanders
U-M now has 19 commitments in the class, which ranks No. 14 in the country.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football flips 4-star Belleville DB Elijah Dotson
