Football is back in Illinois.

After the state cancelled the usual fall season due to the ongoing global pandemic, it approved a shortened spring season.

And that’s giving 2021 Michigan signee and Bolingbrook (Ill.) High linebacker Tyler McLaurin an opportunity to play as a senior and get in some work in a real game setting before he arrives in Ann Arbor.

“I’m so happy,” McLaurin said. “It’s great that I get to spend time on the field working on my craft. I feel like I if I would have gone to Michigan after so long without playing, it would have been a tragic site to see me out there (laughs). Being on the field right now has been beneficial.”

McLaurin committed to Michigan last May over offers from Boston College, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Michigan State, Nebraska, Stanford, Texas Tech and others and signed with the Wolverines in December.

McLaurin is set to enroll at U-M on June 9 and can’t wait to join his fellow classmates.