When Michigan students trickle back to campus in the coming weeks, they’ll arrive in an Ann Arbor without college football for the first time since 1882.
But in a dwindling number of states around the country, high school football is forging on. As of Aug. 15, 26 states and the District of Columbia have delayed or canceled their fall seasons, while 24 are continuing on time.
The Daily has compiled a tracker of Michigan 2021 recruits whose fall seasons are happening and those whose aren’t.
Postponed to spring
California
On July 20, California became one of the first states to postpone its high school season. The season is currently scheduled to begin in Jan. 2021. Both of Michigan’s current commitments in the state have announced that they are skipping their postponed senior seasons to enroll early.
Players affected:
Xavier Worthy, four-star receiver: Central East.
Cristian Dixon, four-star receiver: Mater Dei.
Illinois
Football is one of three fall sports deemed high-risk by the Illinois High School Association, meaning it has been moved to the spring. Michigan’s only commitment in Illinois, Tyler McLaurin, is planning to play his senior season.
Players affected:
Tyler McLaurin, three-star linebacker: Bollingbrook.
Connecticut
On Sept. 4, the Connecticut Interstate Atheltic Conference announced that it will not have a fall high school football season.
Players affected:
Kechaun Bennett, four-star defensive end: Suffield Academy.
Tristan Bounds, three-star offensive tackle: Choate Rosemary Hall.
Massachussetts
The Massachussetts Interscholastic Athletic Association announced in August that it will begin its football season in February.
Players affected:
Louis Hansen, four-star tight end: St. Sebastian’s.
TJ Guy, three-star defensive end: Mansfield.
Casey Phinney, three-star linebacker: Noble and Greenough.
Moved later in fall
Florida
Football season for Florida schools began on Sept. 4, despite ranking second in the nation in new COVID-19 cases.
Players affected:
JJ McCarthy, five-star quarterback: IMG Academy.
Greg Crippen, four-star center: IMG Academy.
Jaydon Hood, four-star linebacker: St. Thomas Aquinas.
Ja’Den McBurrows, three-star cornerback: St. Thomas Aquinas.
Arizona
Practices for Arizona schools are scheduled to begin on Sept. 7, with the season starting on Sept. 30.
Players affected:
Quintin Somerville, four-star defensive end: Saguaro.
New Jersey
New Jersey released a plan for its return to play on July 10. The plan includes a season shortened to six games, starting Oct. 1.
Players affected:
Dominick Guidice, three-star defensive end: Mater Dei.
Michigan
The Michigan High School Sports Association announced on Sept. 3 that it will start football season on Sept. 17, reversing an earlier decision to move the season to the spring. There will be a six-game regular season with teams picking up their schedules at Week 4.
Players affected:
Giovanni El-Hadi, four-star offensive tackle: Adlai Stevenson.
Raheem Anderson, four-star center: Cass Tech.
Andrel Anthony, three-star receiver: East Lansing.
Tommy Doman, three-star punter: St. Mary’s.
On time
Tennessee
On July 29, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee passed an executive order allowing high school sports to start, as scheduled, with reduced crowd sizes. The season kicked off Aug. 20.
Players affected:
Junior Colson, four-star linebacker: Ravenwood.
Ohio
Ohio began its high school football season as scheduled, on Aug. 24. However, the regular season will be shortened to six games, with all teams making the playoffs.
Players affected:
Rod Moore, three-star safety: Northmont.
This story will be updated regularly as more information becomes available.