Just two weeks after 2027 Chicago (Ill.) Mt. Carmel wide receiver Quentin Burrell announced his commitment to Michigan, he earned honors to the Under Armour All-American Game in January.
Going from choosing his future home to proving why he was destined to play for the maize and blue on a national stage that UA NEXT Camp in Chicago over the weekend, Burrell continues to write the final high school chapter before heading to Ann Arbor.
His journey to choosing the Wolverines began long before the changing
of the guard, but it was the shift of new coaches that helped his decision be made without hesitation.
“Honestly, it was the coaches,” Burrell told Maize n Brew. “That was the biggest ‘what if’ when (Michigan) made the change and how they were going to do it. I feel like they’re turning it around and doing what they need to do.”
Michigan overcame Note Dame, Arizona State and more for Burrell, who made a pair of trips to campus earlier in the spring, including for the spring game. His connection with wide receivers coach Micah Simon blossomed throughout that period, from their phone conversations to long meetings inside Schembechler Hall, and the assistant going out to see Burrell in January and once the spring contact period began.
“That’s my dawg,” Burrell said. “It’s the little stuff. (Simon has) been talking about fine-tuning and how I’m going to fit into the system. He’s going to stay on me and that’s what I need. There’s going to be a lot of knowledge in that room. Just got to pick it up, got to learn, and follow the example they set.”
As for the role head coach Kyle Whittingham played in Burrell donning the Block M hat during his May 13 commitment ceremony, Burrell regards the head coach’s pedigree and approach to teaching players.
“I would just say there’s no bullshit,” Burrell said. “He’s not going to lie to you, not going to make you feel better than what you are. He’s going to tell you how it is and you need that as a coach. You need to know what you’re getting into, where you stand, and how to get better. Those are the best things he’ll bring to the table, and he’s a winner. He’s been doing it for a long time and knows how to prepare a team.”
Now that Burrell is committed, he’s turning his attention to the 2027 class and eyeing those who are left on the board. Burrell and the other pledges will make their way to Ann Arbor June 19-21 for Victor’s Weekend. These next four weeks will also see double-digit recruits taking an extended stay to figure out if they see a future at Michigan just like Burrell.
“It feels amazing,” Burrell said. “I feel like I’m a very good recruiter when it comes down to texting and DMing people. So I feel like I have a good part in it (laughs).”
When Burrell does reach out to peers, what’s the underlying tone that he wants to be known?
“Honestly, I can’t wait,” Burrell said. “Excited to be with my boys and excited to see what (the team) pulls out.
“If you want to have a good class, you have to get out and talk to people. You can’t expect people to commit if they don’t have a relationship with you, so I’m building relationships with some potential teammates. The message is ‘Let’s go be great.’ That’s all it is. Come be great. Everyone is likeminded so it fits well.”
Michigan is coming off the Memorial Day holiday yielding 15 commits in the 2027 class, good for 11th overall per 247Sports and Rivals. The Rivals Industry Rating also puts Burrell as the highest ranked pledge at No. 85 nationally. Of the 15 currently onboard, 10 have joined this month.
“I think we’re dawgs, that’s how I think it is,” Burrell said. “There’s more to come, so it’s just only going to get better.”
One player that quickly followed Burrell’s footsteps was fellow Mt. Carmel star and four-star defensive back Tavares Harrington, as he committed nine days after Burrell. Burrell’s announcement came a few weeks after four-star quarterback Kamden Lopati flipped from Illinois as well.
“We made our decision to come to Mt. Carmel, so it’s great to have another four years with my boy,” Burrell said. “I’ve been texting with (Lopati) on-and-off. Can’t wait to get on campus with him and can’t wait to see where this leads.”
Before Burrell enrolls, there’s still more to come from him as his prep career winds down. Outside of winning a fourth straight Illinois Class 8A Championship, the all-time leader in touchdowns receptions at Mt. Carmel will look finish with yet another productive campaign. But once he does arrives, what Michigan will be adding to the roster is simple.
“They’ll get a dawg, that’s what I’ll say,” Burrell said.
