Michigan offer highlights Rudolph’s growing reputation

Northwestern defensive end Logan Rudolph forced a fumble on the first play of the 2015 high school football season, and he’s been a destructive cyclone of sacks, tackles-for-loss and forced turnovers every week since.

Opposing offensive coordinators aren’t the only ones noticing Rudolph’s production. He played receiver his first two years for the Trojans and has scholarship offers from Georgia State, Charlotte, Appalachian State, East Carolina and Kentucky, among a few others, based on the idea he would play tight end in college football.

But Rudolph’s defensive end film from the first seven weeks of the season has brought him a new level of attention. Duke offered late last week, and Michigan, Rudolph’s biggest suitor yet, pulled the trigger on Wednesday.

“Obviously Michigan is a big name,” said Northwestern coach Kyle Richardson. “But for it to be up north and not right here in our backyard, I think that’s what stands out about it. Obviously they saw something on tape that made them think, ‘hey, this South Carolina kid is somebody we need to spend some time with.’”

Jay Harbaugh, the tight ends coach at Michigan and son of Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh, followed Rudolph on Twitter Tuesday night, then sent him a private direct message, saying he liked what he’d seen on film. After conversing with Rudolph informally he asked for Richardson’s contact information.

Harbaugh called Richardson on Wednesday and talked for a while before making a verbal offer to Rudolph. He then spoke with Rudolph on the phone briefly, again formally extending the scholarship offer.

“I was obviously pumped about that,” said Rudolph.

The 6-foot-4, 225-pound junior is the first Rock Hill-area kid to get a Michigan scholarship offer since Jadeveon Clowney. Richardson said Michigan stops by Northwestern’s campus once a year, so it’s not unusual for initial contact to be made with a Rock Hill prospect digitally.

“Social media has made recruiting a whole different animal now,” he said.

Rudolph’s recruitment is taking off much more quickly than that of his older brother, Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph. Quarterback scholarship offers are precious gems with few given out simply because of sheer numbers. But Logan Rudolph’s recruitment should take off because of his versatility and willingness to play on either side of the football. He’s a safe bet to contribute somewhere on the field at the next level.

Rudolph’s likely college position is a toss-up.

Duke’s tight ends coach saw his film from last year, but recommended the Blue Devils’ defensive line coach get in contact with the Trojan player. Duke offered him as a defensive end.

Michigan also saw Rudolph’s defensive end film, but offered him as a tight end, knowing they could move him across the line of scrimmage if need be. Rudolph has shown that ability this fall, with eight sacks, five tackles-for-loss, three forced fumbles and an interception return for a touchdown the results.

Defense “comes easier,” he said Thursday morning. “It’s more physical and I like to hit. I have been surprised. I’ve had a great coach here, coach (David) Pierce. He’s got me and Trae’von (Hinton) right, so it’s been going well so far, yes sir.”

Mason Rudolph’s recruitment two years back is helping his parents and younger brother approach the process with more savvy. Mason was focused on LSU for much of his recruitment, before the Tigers turned their attentions to another QB prospect late in the process. It was a lesson “To trust coaches (only) so much,” said Logan, “to always have some options open because you never know what’s gonna happen. That’s what we learned from that and it’s worked out pretty good for him so far.”

Rudolph said he’s also setting up his academics so that he can graduate in December of his senior year. His brother’s early enrollment at Oklahoma State helped prepare him for his late season cameo in 2014, and a starting job this fall.

“I would definitely want to do that,” said Logan. “I would want to get out there for spring practice wherever I decided to go.”

This story was originally published October 8, 2015 at 10:39 AM with the headline "Michigan offer highlights Rudolph’s growing reputation."