In-State Michigan Commitment El-Hadi Still 'Solid to Michigan'

One of the premiere offensive line prospects in the class of 2021, Giovanni El-Hadi is eager to begin his career at the University of Michigan.

As the New Year began, Giovanni El-Hadi was able to grasp his current and future position on the football field simultaneously. 

A day after the Michigan verbal commitment watched the Wolverines take on Alabama in the Citrus Bowl, the Sterling Heights (Mich.) Adlai Stevenson offensive lineman was participating with fellow top juniors on the same field as part of the Under Armour All-America Future 50 camp.

As seen in the above video, the 6-foot-5, 293-pound prospect held his own against national competition.

"It went pretty well, not as good as I wanted to," El-Hadi told SI All-American. "Got banged up a little bit, with my ankle, but they said I did really good. I won a lot of one-on-ones, lost some I shouldn't have lost and looked good in agility. 

"I could have done better. Overall it was good." 

The same could be said in watching the tackle's future program, as Michigan fell to the Crimson Tide, 35-16. Those results won't impact one of the top in-state prospect's decisions, though.

"I'm committed to Michigan, I'm solid on that," he said. "I watched the bowl game, we started off hot but it just died down in the second half. 

"It just makes me more hungry, I just want to get there and win."

El-Hadi picked the Big Ten program in March and remains in consistent communication with some of the coaches he will play for down the line.

"Almost every day," he said. "I'm very close to coach (Jim) Harbaugh... Coach Matt Dudek. I'm close to all of them. 

"When I went up there, it was different than all of these other schools. It was just home."

Armed with a great frame, length and a strong anchor, the junior also showcases good lateral ability that may translate to more than one position on the offensive line in college.  

El-Hadi just wants to help Harbaugh and company win games no matter where he lines up.

"I'm a tackle, but wherever they put me I just want to make this win," he said. 

The location or loyalty of the versatile prospect hasn't slowed other programs from shooting their shot with him. That list now includes the newly crowned national champions.

"I talked to LSU, but I'm solid to Michigan," El-Hadi. "At this point, no visits."

Instead, the future Wolverine is focused on improving his own frame and game ahead of his senior season and time in the Big Ten. 

"Getting healthy, recovering," he said. "Just getting back in the weight room and getting better at my craft." 

El-Hadi and elite quarterback J.J. McCarthy stand as the early pledges in Michigan's recruiting class of 2021.

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