Michigan football 2026 recruiting class climbs to No. 17 in ESPN rankings with key commits
Michigan football has been on an incredible hot streak in the month of June, building out its 2026 recruiting class, with several top prospects committing to the Wolverines with plenty more to come.
Many (both fans and media) were questioning whether or not the maize and blue were going to put together a top class as they had last year, forgetting that Michigan tends to fill out the list of committed prospects after official visit season. But even with many of the Wolverines' top overall targets still on the board, ESPN has taken notice of what Michigan has done.
Last time ESPN updated its 2026 recruiting rankings, the maize and blue were ranked No. 22. Now they're up five spots to No. 17.
17. Michigan Wolverines
Previous ranking: 22
ESPN 300 commits: 6Top offensive prospect: QB Brady SmigielTop defensive prospect: DE Titan Davis
The Wolverines signed the No. 1 QB for the 2025 cycle in Bryce Underwood and he carries high expectations, but they continue to add talent to the position and landed ESPN 300 signal-caller Brady Smigiel. The onetime Florida State commit is not only an accurate passer, but he also plays with the confidence and swagger that will be needed battling with five-star Underwood.
After losing two DLs in the first round of the NFL draft, Michigan added several DLs to this class, including ESPN 300 DEs Titan Davis and McHale Blade. Four-star DE Tariq Boney is a player to keep an eye on. He lacks ideal length but can be a well-rounded technician and a quick contributor. After scoring from off the beaten path with former standout TE Colston Loveland (Idaho), the Wolverines hope to strike big again from that same region with Matt Ludwig out of Montana. He is a versatile player with good ball skills who can be tough after the catch and fights for yards.
Something (logic?) tells us that it will be much higher next month when ESPN updates the list again.
The aforementioned Brady Smigiel is the highest-rated recruit the Wolverines have via ESPN, at No. 44 overall. Newly-committed wide receiver Zion Robinson is next at No. 116.
Here are the Michigan football commits who are ranked in the ESPN300:
44. Newbury Park (Calif.) four-star QB Brady Smigiel
116. Mansfield (Tx.) four-star WR Zion Robinson
164. St. Louis (Mo.) DeSmet four-star DT Titan Davis
193. Cartersville (Ga.) Cass four-star IOL Bear McWhorter
270. Billings (Mont.) West four-star TE Matt Ludwig
273. Chicago (Ill.) Simeon four-star EDGE McHale Blade
According to ESPN, the Wolverines have eight four-stars committed, five three-stars, and one unranked (kicker commit Micah Drescher).
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