KNOXVILLE - Derrick Green posted on his Twitter account Friday that he planned to "shock the world" the following afternoon.

One of the nation's top running back prospects then made the college choice most were expecting Saturday.

The 6-foot, 220-pound tailback from Richmond (Va.) Hermitage High School announced his commitment to Michigan, as the Wolverines edged Tennessee and Auburn for the services of Rivals.com's top-rated running back prospect.

"I still had a good relationship with each school," Green told 247sports. "Auburn and Tennesee are still great schools, but like I said, I felt like Michigan was the better place.

"I actually knew what I would say this morning. I slept on it last night. I prayed on it, I woke up and God was showing me signs that Michigan was the place to be. I felt like that would be the right decision for me."

After thanking God, his family and those in attendance for his announcement, Green picked up a Michigan hat and set it down before doing the same thing with a Tennessee hat. He then walked to the corner of the room and pressed a button that raised a projector screen hiding a No. 27 Michigan jersey with his name on the back.

Green took his official visit to Tennessee in September for the Vols' home game against Florida. Running backs coach Jay Graham kept Tennessee in the running for Green, and UT sent a number of assistant coaches on its new staff to visit him last week. Green hosted assistants from each of his three finalists Thursday.

The Wolverines' staff stability and offensive style were deciding factors in Green's choice.

"Every time I've been to Michigan it felt like home, and that's just the place I want to be," he said. "That's where my heart is telling me to be."

The U.S. Army All-American is the nation's eighth overall prospect according to Rivals and ranks No. 84 in 247sports' rankings.