A.J. Dillon, a 4-star running back from Lawrence Academy in Groton, Massachusetts, announced on Twitter that he was committing to Michigan on Monday:
Dillon is considered the top player from the state of Massachusetts, the No. 19 running back in the country and the No. 248 prospect overall, according to 247Sports.
Dillon's commitment was the seventh for Michigan in the 2017 class, per Alex Gleitman of 247Sports. He's the second running back in that class, joining 3-star Georgia prospect Kurt Taylor, according to
"After my Michigan visit, I felt like my life after football would be set up with the connections and education I would get there," Dillon told Gleitman. "To tie in with that, you add the aspect of world-class facilities and an amazing football program filled with great players and a great staff."
Dillon has been dominant in the past two seasons, rushing for 3,255 yards and 47 touchdowns. At 6'1" and 230 pounds, he's a physical back but one who combines his downhill running style with solid athleticism.
Brian Dohn of Scout.com offered the following scouting report on the talented recruit:
Dillon is a rugged, tough, between-the-tackles runner who is difficult to bring down on first contact. He is thick and strong in the lower body, and tackles often bounce off of him. He has good vision and quick feet. He is able to make subtle moves and change direction in short space. He is best moving up the field and is a downhill runner. He secures the football well and he can break tackles. He does not have breakaway speed, but that does not matter. His ability to find the hole and get through it, and to run in traffic, stand out.
That bruising, downhill running style will make him a perfect fit for head coach Jim Harbaugh's power-run attack. Harbaugh's teams traditionally are built around strong running games and excellent defenses, generally with a focus on controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
Dillon also thrived at linebacker in high school, but Michigan plans to use him as a running back, as Dillon revealed to Gleitman: "In the short term, I’m looking forward to that first touchdown in the Big House. In the long term, I’m just looking forward to getting that degree from Michigan and adding to the history of the program."
Recruit star ratings via 247Sports.
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