Michigan Football Recruiting: Wolverines pushing for another top class in 2026

Buoyed by a flurry of late flips, Michigan‘s 2025 recruiting class went from good to elite in the span of a few months last fall.

None were bigger than poaching No. 1 overall recruit Bryce Underwood away from LSU, but the Wolverines in total landed seven of their top eight commitments after November 1. Could a similar story be in the cards this cycle? As we reach the end of July, U-M holds 22 commitments and ranks No. 10 nationally, according to the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

But much like last year at this point, a number of their top targets are still on the board as a huge few weeks loom on the recruiting trail. What they already have in the fold is a strong foundation, with a slew of pledges coming in the past few weeks.

Of the 22 commitments, 13 are blue-chip prospects with a few others not far away from achieving that fourth star. Quarterback Brady Smigiel, at one time committed to Florida State, is in the fold and gives the Wolverines a major centerpiece to build around.

The summer has been especially kind to them, as they landed five-star edge rusher Carter Meadows, four-star safety Andre Clarke, four-star wide receiver Travis Johnson and four-star pass-rusher Julian Walker in the span of 10 days at the end of June and beginning of July. And that came right on the heels of snagging four-star defensive lineman Titan Davis and massive offensive tackle Malakai Lee, both of whom the Wolverines had to beat out multiple other blue-blood programs.

Last week, they added another key piece by flipping four-star safety Jordan Deck away from Baylor.

Michigan’s class has filled up quickly, with 12 commitments in the month of June alone and four more in July. And they’ve done all of that without landing a single player in their own state, instead taking some of the top prospects out of Washington D.C., California, Missouri, Hawaii, Montana, Illinois, Virginia and more.

Michigan commitments by position

Quarterback
Four-star Brady Smigiel, No. 141 NATL. (No. 9 QB)

Running back
Three-star Jonathan Brown, No. 675 NATL. (No. 43 RB)

Wide receiver
Four-star Travis Johnson, No. 122 NATL. (No. 15 WR)
Four-star Zion Robinson, No. 182 NATL. (No. 27 WR)
Three-star Jaylen Pile, No. 1035 NATL. (No. 156 WR)

Tight end
Four-star Matt Ludwig, No. 159 NATL. (No. 9 TE)
Three-star Mason Bonner, No. 465 NATL. (No. 25 TE)

Offensive tackle
Four-star Malakai Lee, No. 153 NATL. (No. 11 OT)

Interior offensive lineman
Three-star Marky Walbridge, No. 474 NATL. (No. 44 IOL)
Three-star Bear McWhorter, No. 484 NATL. (No. 46 IOL)

Defensive lineman
Four-star Titan Davis, No. 103 NATL. (No. 01 DL)
Four-star Alister Vallejo, No. 228 NATL. (No. 25 DL)

EDGE
Five-star Carter Meadows, No. 30 NATL. (No. 5 EDGE)
Four-star Julian Walker, No. 154 NATL. (No. 22 EDGE)
Four-star McHale Blade, No. 210 NATL. (No. 27 EDGE)
Three-star Tariq Boney, No. 603 NATL. (No. 59 EDGE)

Linebacker
Three-star Markel Dabney, No. 662 NATL. (No. 51 LB)

Cornerback
Four-star Dorian Barney, No. 241 NATL. (No. 24 CB)

Safety
Four-star Andre Clarke, No. 150 NATL. (No. 14 S)
Four-star Jordan Deck, No. 346 NATL. (No. 29 S)

Specialists
LS Colton Dermer
K Micah Drescher