Wolverine TV: Breaking down five key Michigan recruits we saw on the road

The Wolverine’s EJ Holland was in Florida over the weekend and breaks down five key Michigan recruiting targets he saw in action, including five-star Miami (Fla.) Northwestern wide receiver Calvin Russell.

Watch the full video at the end of this story.

Russell Recruitment

Michigan extended an offer to Russell in August of last year and has made him a top priority at the wide receiver position throughout the cycle.

The Wolverines hosted Russell for his first visit in the spring and got him back for his official visit on Victors Weekend last month.

Here is what Holland had to say about his recruitment.

“Michigan has been looking for an elite wide receiver to invest NIL in, and it appears Russell has emerged as the top priority,” Holland said. “Michigan has worked itself into the mix and is now a real contender in this race. Michigan has a lot going for it with Russell, but this recruitment is very hard to read. I wouldn’t dismiss Syracuse in this race. The Orange are putting together a big NIL package as well. Florida State and Oregon are a couple of others to watch.”

Russell will make his decision on July 5.

At 6-foot-5.5, 190 pounds, Russell is ranked as the No. 4 wide receiver and No. 32 overall recruit nationally, per the On3 Industry Ranking.

Michigan has 20 commits in its 2026 recruiting class — five-star Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga EDGE Carter Meadows, Top 100 Honolulu (Hawaii) Kamehameha offensive tackle Malakai Lee, Top 100 St. Louis (Mo.) DeSmet defensive lineman Titan Davis, Top 100 Billings (Mont.) West tight end Matt Ludwig, Top 100 Newberry Park (Calif.) High quarterback Brady Smigiel, On300 Needham (Mass.) St. Sebastian’s offensive lineman Marky Walbridge, On300 Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin cornerback Brody Jennings, On300 Irmo (S.C.) Dutch Fork EDGE Julian Walker, On300 Chicago (Ill.) Simeon EDGE McHale Blade, four-star Richmond (Va.) Hermitage defensive back Andre Clarke, four-star Mansfield (Texas) High wide receiver Zion Robinson, three-star Cartersville (Ga.) Cass offensive lineman Bear McWhorter, three-star Washington (D.C.) St. John’s EDGE Tariq Boney, three-star Denver (Colo.) Mullen tight end Mason Bonner, three-star Liberty Hill (Texas) High defensive lineman Alister Vallejo, three-star Dallas (Texas) Parish Episcopal wide receiver Jaylen Pile, three-star Richmond (Va.) Huguenot linebacker Markel Dabney, three-star Hinsdale (Ill.) Central kicker Micah Drescher, Columbus (Ohio) St. Francis DeSales running back Jonathan Brown and Phoenix (Ariz.) O’Connor long snapper Colton Dermer.

Michigan entered the day with the No. 10 ranked 2026 recruiting class nationally, per the On3 Industry team recruiting rankings. Michigan is also ranked No. 3 in the Big Ten. USC currently has the top class in the conference.

Michigan also has the No. 12 ranked transfer portal class this cycle, per the On3 transfer portal index.