DT Rashan Gary, the No. 1 overall recruit, picks Michigan

Defensive tackle Rashan Gary said he didn’t know which school he was going to pick up until his live announcement on Wednesday.

Gary, the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit from Paramus (N.J.) Catholic, sat at an ESPN news desk, pulled a Michigan hat from underneath the desk and became the Wolverines’ first-ever No. 1 overall recruit since recruits were ranked.

“For the next three to four years, I’ll be furthering my education and my football playing at the University of Michigan,” Gary said during his live interview on ESPN.

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, who was in the midst of hosting a major National Signing Day extravaganza on campus when Gary made his announcement, found out about Gary's decision thanks to the phone of ESPN analyst Mike Tirico.

Gary, who was emotional after making his decision, said coaches from Michigan and Clemson were talking to him all the way up to his announcement, and that it took a sign from God to make his decision clear.

“I picked Michigan because that’s a place where I felt comfortable, and that’s a place where I feel my family felt comfortable,” Gary said. “That’s a place where I feel the academic support is great and a degree holds a lot of weight. And so, I feel that it’s going to be successful for me and it’s going to help me for a lifetime goal to make sure I provide for my family.”

For the first time in seven years, the No. 1 overall recruit will not be attending an SEC school.

Gary became the first No. 1 overall player since Matt Barkley signed with USC to break away from what is perceived as the nation’s best conference.

Gary also is just the second No. 1 overall recruit in the past six years to leave his home state for college, joining Robert Nkemdiche, a Georgia native, who signed with Ole Miss in 2013. Jadeveon Clowney (South Carolina 2011), Dorial Green-Beckham (Missouri 2012), Leonard Fournette (LSU 2014) and Trent Thompson (Georgia 2015) all stayed in-state.

Gary had been a Michigan lean for many months, but Clemson made a strong push late and Gary took an official visit there last week.

Michigan helped its cause by hiring former Paramus Catholic head coach Chris Partridge as team's linebackers/special teams coach. Also, former Paramus Catholic stars Jabrill Peppers and Juwann Bushell-Beatty are entering their third year with the program and Gary's closest friends Kareem Walker and Michael Dwumfour from De Paul Catholic High School in Wayne, New Jersey were commits in this Michigan class.