Michigan landed an important football recruit from enemy territory, securing a commitment from four-star offensive tackle Ben Bredeson.
A Hartland, Wis. native, Bredeson announced on Twitter Wednesday that he chose Michigan over Notre Dame and Wisconsin, both of which extended him offers. According to ESPN, Bredeson is Michigan's "first huge recruit" in head coach Jim Harbaugh's first ever class.
ESPN ranks Bredeson as the top offensive tackle in the state of Wisconsin coming out of high school in the class of 2016. He is ranked fourth among all other ESPN 300 offensive tackles and 53rd overall.
Harbaugh has made headlines for him and his staff visiting satellite camps all over the country this offseason, especially for recruiting in the SEC's backyard. But Bredeson is coming to Ann Arbor from across Lake Michigan.
Both 247 Sports and ESPN rate Bredeson a four-star prospect, citing his upside as a multi-year starter at the collegiate level. Additionally, the offensive lineman's commitment could lead to more from Michigan's other targets.
When the school brought Harbaugh in to coach the football team, the Wolverines were coming off a dismal season in which the offense in particular looked lost. Hailed as a quarterback guru, Harbaugh is expected to watch a number of players vie for the starting position, but Michigan's rebuild is about more than the one position.
Along with his high profile resume and his headline-making offseason, landing Bredeson could help Harbaugh sell a quick turnaround to other highly touted prospects.