Three-star 2021 linebacker Casey Phinney has backed out of his verbal pledge to Michigan. The Wolverines did not force him out of the class, but there were a couple of factors here — one of them being that Michigan just got a similar and arguably better player in Tyler Martin. Another was the fact that Phinney had never visited Michigan, and some of his family caught COVID-19, so he wanted to be closer to home. I found out several days ago that he was on the verge of leaving the class but didn't hint at anything because it was a sensitive situation for him and his family. Anyway, I don't think this hurts Michigan at all. The Wolverines still have a really good linebacker class, and this opens up a spot for a potentially better add.
