Nick Baumgardner and Nick Baumgardner | Detroit Free Press

Nick Baumgardner, Detroit Free Press

Photo courtesy of Chris Nee/247Sports

Michigan's highest-rated quarterback commitment for the 2018 class says he'll start his career early.

Four-star quarterback recruit Joe Milton announced plans to enroll early at Michigan on Sunday evening.

A 6-foot-5, 222-pounder from Orlando, Milton ranks as the No. 167 player in the 2018 recruiting class. He's the No. 8-ranked pro style quarterback.

Milton was one of several Michigan recruits and commitments on campus this past weekend for an official visit. Rivals.com reported that four-star cornerback Myles Sims (Atlanta) and three-star defensive end Taylor Upshaw (Bradenton, Fla.) also plan to enroll early at Michigan, will begins classes in January.

Milton is one of two quarterbacks committed to Michigan in the 2018 cycle, joining three-star passer Kevin Doyle.

Doyle, who prepped at St. John's College Prep in Washington, D.C., committed to Michigan in September.

Michigan has three scholarship quarterbacks on its roster with returning eligibility: Redshirt freshman Brandon Peters, true freshman Dylan McCaffrey and sophomore Alex Malzone. Junior Wilton Speight announced his plans to transfer Sunday night.

The Wolverines have 16 committed players in their 2018 recruiting class, and their class ranks No. 14 nationally, according to 247Sports Composite.

Starting this year, Football Bowl Subdivision recruits will have a three-day window to sign with schools early. That doesn't necessarily mean all recruits who sign letters during the Dec. 20-22 signing period will enroll early, but they will be able to make their decisions formal prior to the traditional early February signing day.

The NCAA's late-year recruiting contact period began Sunday, allowing coaches to have off-campus contact with prospects. The contact period will run through Dec. 18 before taking a break during bowl season, then resuming Jan. 11.

The regular 2018 signing period will, as usual, begin on the first Wednesday in February. This year, the date is Feb. 7.

Contact Nick Baumgardner: nbaumgardn@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickBaumgardner.