Mark Snyder

Detroit Free Press

A week in which Michigan is expecting major football recruiting commitments began with a setback.

Massachusetts running back A.J. Dillon announced today that he is flipping to Boston College.

A four-star tailback from Groton, Mass., who attends Lawrence Academy, Dillon committed to Michigan on March 28. At 6-feet-1 and 230 pounds, he's a big back who would work in the Jim Harbaugh offense.

He had bonded with other U-M commits, including spending time with them at The Opening camp in Beaverton, Ore., during the summer. But as the fall progressed, he began looking elsewhere.

He unofficially visited U-M in November, then took an official visit to Boston College on Dec. 2, then an official to U-M last weekend.

The Wolverines also have O'Maury Samuels and Kurt Taylor as backs in this class and are pursuing No. 1 overall prospect Najee Harris.

Counting New Jersey wide receiver Brad Hawkins, who reclassified from the 2016 class, U-M has 20 players committed for 2017.

Note: Former Michigan kicker Matt Wile has been promoted from the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad to the active roster. He will be their primary punter.

U-M's Harbaugh: I'm not leaving; coaches/enemies are 'jive turkeys'

Full list: Michigan's recruits (with highlight videos)

Contact Mark Snyder atmsnyder@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter at @mark__snyder. Download our Wolverines Xtra appon iTunesandAndroid!