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Wolverine TV: Breaking down new Michigan RB commit Jonathan Brown

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Jonathan Brown

Michigan scored an important win on the recruiting trail when it landed a commitment from Columbus (Ohio) St. Francis DeSales running back Jonathan Brown.

The Wolverine’s EJ Holland shares his thoughts on Brown in the video at the end of this story.

Brown Recruitment

Michigan quietly extended an offer to Brown this summer after he camped in front of the staff twice.

Brown put up impressive testing times, running a 4.55 40-yard-dash and posting a 40-inch vertical. He also measured in at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds. Brown was named RB MVP at a recent on-campus camp in Ann Arbor.

Brown committed to Michigan over offers from Air Force, Army, Navy, Kent State, Rutgers and others.

Here is what Holland had to say about Brown.

“Brown is definitely a sleeper,” Holland said. “Michigan running backs coach Tony Alford has strong ties in Ohio and has recruited the state in the past. He discovered Brown and watched him camp twice. Michigan was always going to take two backs this cycle, and he decided to press for Brown, who has upside. Michigan is still all in on five-star running back Savion Hiter. This take does not change that. Brown gives Michigan an option in case they miss on Hiter. If they do land Hiter, they have a second running back with a high ceiling and potential.”

Brown rushed for 1,295 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior last season.

Brown is not ranked by On3 at this time.

Michigan now has 12 commits in its 2026 recruiting class — Brown, Top 100 Billings (Mont.) West tight end Matt Ludwig, Top 100 Newberry Park (Calif.) High quarterback Brady Smigiel, On300 Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin cornerback Brody Jennings, On300 Chicago (Ill.) Simeon EDGE McHale Blade, 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 Hinsdale (Ill.) Central kicker Micah Drescher and Phoenix (Ariz.) O’Connor long snapper Colton Dermer.

Michigan entered the day with the No. 26 ranked 2026 recruiting class nationally, per the On3 Industry team recruiting rankings. Michigan is also ranked No. 9 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.

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