updated: Michigan QB recruit Devin Gardner: I start classes Tuesday

Gardner, the prize of Michigan’s 2010 recruiting class, was certified by Inkster officials late Friday as having met the district’s requirements to graduate. He was on campus this weekend for an official visit - he sat next to Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez during the Michigan-UConn basketball game - but still has to be cleared by the university.

Gardner, the prize of Michigan’s 2010 recruiting class, was certified by Inskter officials late last week as having met the district’s requirements for graduation.

He was on campus this weekend for an official visit, and spent part of Sunday’s game sitting next to Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez.

Rodriguez said six 2010 recruits already have enrolled in classes - receivers Jeremy Jackson, Ricardo Miller and Jerald Robinson, running backs Stephen Hopkins and Austin White, and offensive lineman Christian Pace - and Michigan has “one more spot open” for an early enrollee.

“That could or could not be filled,” Rodriguez said. “Hopefully it will, sooner rather than later.”

Michigan is expected to officially clear Gardner on Monday. The school does not have classes because of Martin Luther King Day, but some offices are open.

As an early enrollee, Gardner will be eligible to take part in spring practice. He’s expected to compete with Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson for the starting quarterback job.

“It means a lot,” Garder said. “Just more opportunities. I’ll have a better chance (to start).”

Rodriguez said Michigan can sign up to 26 recruits this year.

“We probably will,” he said. “We don’t want to take a guy just to take a guy, but we’ll probably go 26.”

Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.