Wolverine TV: Five key Michigan recruits with upcoming decisions

The Wolverine’s EJ Holland breaks down five key Michigan recruits with upcoming decisions, including Top 100 Westlake (Calif.) Oaks Christian cornerback Davon Benjamin.

Watch the full video at the end of this story.

Benjamin Recruitment

Michigan extended an offer to Benjamin in June of last year.

U-M secondary coach LaMar Morgan has made Benjamin a top priority throughout the cycle and got him on campus for his first visit this spring. Benjamin returned to Ann Arbor for his official visit in late May. It was there where Michigan became a true contender.

Benjamin has a final five of Michigan, Oregon, Washington, North Carolina and Texas.

Here is what Holland had to say about his recruitment.

“We’re just a few days from Benjamin making his decision, and I would still give Oregon this slight edge,” Holland said. “Michigan is capable of winning this recruitment late and has made things very, very interesting. The Wolverines are willing to spend NIL here, and there is still a need at corner this cycle. With that said, Oregon also has plenty of NIL and has been the constant in this recruitment.”

Benjamin will make his decision on Aug. 2.

At 5-foot-11, 170 pounds, Benjamin is ranked as the No. 1 cornerback and No. 22 overall recruit nationally, per Rivals.

Michigan has 22 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 Liberty Hill (Texas) High defensive lineman Alister Vallejo, On300 Chesapeake (Va.) Oscar Smith wide receiver Travis Johnson, On300 Irmo (S.C.) Dutch Fork EDGE Julian Walker, On300 Chicago (Ill.) Simeon EDGE McHale Blade, four-star Carrollton (Ga.) High defensive back Dorian Barney, four-star Richmond (Va.) Hermitage defensive back Andre Clarke, four-star Mansfield (Texas) High wide receiver Zion Robinson, four-star Frisco (Texas) Lone Star defensive back Jordan Deck, 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 Dallas (Texas) Parish Episcopal wide receiver Jaylen Pile, three-star Richmond (Va.) Huguenot linebacker Markel Dabney, three-star Hinsdale (Ill.) Central kicker Micah Drescher, three-star Columbus (Ohio) St. Francis DeSales running back Jonathan Brown and three-star 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. 4 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.