Michigan added a big piece to its class on Thursday afternoon when defensive end Ron Johnson Jr. announced his commitment. Johnson's decision gives the Wolverines 20 total commitments and five ESPN 300 commitments in the 2016 class.
I have committed to The University of Michigan 〽️thanks to everyone who believed in me and gave me the opportunity!! pic.twitter.com/BNv5rljqR0
— Ron Johnson Jr✨ (@RonJohn24) June 25, 2015Johnson was initially planning to wait to make any announcements despite having Michigan as his leader for quite some time. The original timeline included several other visits and a return trip to Michigan on July 18.
That obviously changed, though, and Johnson becomes the highest ranked defensive end for Michigan since the 2009 class. It is also a potential help to land a few other East Coast prospects, including No. 1 ranked Rashan Gary, receiver Ahmir Mitchell and tight end Naseir Upshur.
Mitchell and Upshur accompanied Johnson Jr. on the visit to Michigan and Gary is planning to make it to Ann Arbor on Friday.
With 20 commitments in the class, Michigan likely has room for five more prospects. That could be any combination of defensive linemen with Gary or defensive ends Xavier Kelly or Daniel Joseph, offensive linemen with targets Terrance Davis and Jean DeLance or possibly a few pass catchers in Mitchell, Upshur or Brad Hawkins.
The Wolverines were ranked as the No. 12 class in the country prior to Johnson Jr.'s commitment and No. 3 within the Big Ten.