What Phillip Wright’s signing means for Michigan Football

Destrehan (Louisiana) three-star receiver Phillip Wright picked up a Georgia cap, pretended to put it on, and then threw it over his head.

He then picked up a Michigan and an LSU cap, took off the Tigers’ cap and wore the Wolverines cap to signal his commitment to Sherrone Moore’s program on Saturday.

Here’s what Wright’s verbal commitment means to the Wolverines:

– Michigan beat out two top teams in the Southeastern Conference to land a speedy wide receiver from Louisiana. It’s never easy to get Louisiana talent that has interest from LSU, but Michigan’s in-state connections likely played a role. Receiver coach Ron Bellamy is a Louisiana native who spurred LSU and had a stellar career at Michigan. Earlier this cycle, he secured two commitments from his alma mater: four-star receiver Jacob Washington and three-star running back Jasper Parker, and he returned to his Louisiana roots for Wright.

– There are still five months until the contract deadline, so Wright’s commitment is not official until he signs the deal. LSU could still be a team to keep an eye on in his recruitment if they continue to put pressure on him. The Tigers have already signed a five-star quarterback and running back this cycle, but currently have only one receiver in the class.

“I can tell they’re starting to push right now,” Wright told Michigan Insider about LSU’s efforts to sign him. “My dad and I just talked about it. He said, ‘They’re doing what’s best for our family. This is what’s best for us.’ So I’m keeping my promise to Coach Moore and Coach Bell. They’re going to keep pushing.”

– Wright is one of Michigan’s lowest-rated players this cycle at No. 541 according to the 247Sports Composite, but the 6-foot-1, 175-pound player is an interesting prospect because of his speed. He qualified for the Louisiana Track and Field Championship in each of his three high school seasons and ran a blistering 100-meter dash in 10.46 seconds. Most of his big plays on his highlight tape were run-after-catch actions on screens and quick passing attacks. His game is similar to that of rising sophomore wideout Semaj Morgan.

“He can line up at multiple receiver positions and is the type of speed-oriented weapon that allows a coaching staff a lot of creativity,” 247Sports scouting analyst Gabe Brooks wrote in his scouting report. “Certified sprinter with outstanding running numbers in multiple sprint categories. Uses that speed to get to DBs quickly and take lead from a secondary. Can stack cuts in the open field. Shows some promise in route snaps that should improve ability to consistently create late spacing when needed. A bit of extra bulk and strength should help as well.”

– Wright’s commitment is important for Michigan because the Wolverines lost another receiver on Saturday: four-star Taz Williams of Red Oak (Texas), who committed to Baylor. Michigan has two receivers this cycle but wants to add at least one more. The 247Sports Crystal Ball favorite is four-star Andrew Marsh of Fulshear (Texas) Katy and would like to sign top-75 prospect Derek Meadows of Las Vegas Bishop Gorman, who is scheduled to announce his decision on July 20.

– Michigan’s class is slowly filling up with 16 commitments. 11 have come in over the last two months to gain momentum in the fall. The Wolverines’ class ranks 12th nationally.