Luiji

Vilain

Vilain (6'4/253), who was a four-star prospect out of high school, did not see much playing time while at Michigan. The senior defensive end appeared in seven games in 2019, tallying seven total tackles (six solo, 1.0 for loss), 1.0 sacks and one forced fumbles. Vilain played in a total of 12 games during his final two seasons at Michigan, with the majority of his reps coming on special teams. He will have one season of eligibility remaining at Wake Forest.

“Like the recent second-round NFL pick, Vilain can get off the ball and disrupt with his strength coming as a pass rusher,” Haubert wrote. The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder committed to Michigan over the weekend. The analyst believes that once Vilain has settled into his place with the Wolverines, he might "[develop] a little more quickly [than Dodd] and being a stronger contributor earlier in his college career.” Nice month on the defensive line for HC Jim Harbaugh. In addition to Vilain, four-star DE Corey Malone-Hatcher also committed to Michigan’s cause earlier this month.

A Canadian by birth, Vilain ranks as Rivals’ No. 180 prospect for the 2017 cycle. Outlet recruiting analyst Adam Friedman noted that the 6-foot-4, 240-pounder’s “speed off the edge should help everybody on the inside find lanes to the quarterback.” He is also of the belief that Vilain is athletic enough that he could chip in on coverage in a pinch.

In a banner month for the Wolverines on the recruiting front, Vilain is quietly reminding people that he has been there all along. Farrell admitted that he actually didn’t see this coming, writing, “I didn’t expect he would hold up physically as he has so far this week. Vilain has been using his length well in one-on-ones and especially team play, and he’s been stronger than expected.” The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder has been committed to Michigan since June. He ranks as Rivals’ No. 181 overall prospect for the 2017 cycle. ESPN’s Craig Haubert has compared Vilain to Kevin Dodd.