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USA Today
08-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan football makes big climb in ESPN 2026 recruiting rankings with elite commitments
Michigan recruiting is continuing to surge, and ESPN is taking notice. The last time that ESPN updated its 2026 college football recruiting rankings, Michigan football had just made its debut, coming in at No. 17 overall. After a torrid month of June, the Wolverines are moving up even more. Last week, ESPN updated its rankings, and though it doesn't include the commitment of wide receiver Travis Johnson or cornerback Dorian Barney -- or the flip of cornerback Brody Jennings to Miami -- the Wolverines have moved up 10 spots and are now just outside of the top five at No. 7 overall. 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. In addition to pulling Boney out of the nation's capital, Michigan also landed Carter Meadows, a rangy edge defender who can bend well. As noted, at No. 44 overall, Smigiel continues to be the highest-rated commitment for the Wolverines in this class, according to ESPN. Wide receiver target Calvin Russell, who committed to Syracuse in a surprise pledge on Saturday, would have been the top offensive player at No. 28. Meadows, the highest-rated defensive commitment, is No. 88 according to ESPN's rankings. Here is where each of the current commits ranks in the ESPN300: With 10 included in the ranking and 12 overall now, the Wolverines are in a good spot to continue moving up. Of the remaining top targets in the 2026 class, Mineral (Va.) Louisa County running back Savion Hiter is No. 24, Ogden (Utah) Fremont athlete Salesi Moa is No. 35, Suwanee (Ga.) Collins Hill defensive tackle Deuce Geralds is No. 40, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy linebacker DQ Forkpa is No. 41, Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian cornerback Davon Benjamin is No. 63, and Marietta (Ga.) Kell linebacker Brayden Rouse is No. 153.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Michigan football wins battle for 4-star WR over Big Ten rival Penn State
The post Michigan football wins battle for 4-star WR over Big Ten rival Penn State appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Michigan football team has struggled to land elite wide receiver talent in recent years, but it landed an elite prospect on Friday. Four-star Travis Johnson announced his college decision on the Fourth of July, and he chose the Wolverines. Johnson was being heavily recruited by Penn State and South Carolina as well, but head coach Sherrone Moore found a way to seal the deal. This is a massive pickup for Michigan. Advertisement 'BREAKING: Four-Star WR Travis Johnson has Committed to Michigan, he tells me for @rivals,' Hayes Fawcett said in a post. 'The 6'4 190 WR from Chesapeake, VA chose the Wolverines over Penn State and South Carolina.' Travis Johnson had a simple message to share upon his commitment to the Michigan football team: 'All Glory to God… Go Blue!' He said. Johnson is a four-star recruit, according to 247Sports. He is the #144 player in the 2026 recruiting class, the #21 WR and the #3 player in the state of Virginia. He is the latest addition to the 2026 Michigan football recruiting class. 'Well-rounded wide receiver with the size, speed and focus to emerge as a trusted option at the Power Four level,' Johnson's scouting report states. 'Height and bounce suggest that he's destined to play on the outside, but is sudden and quick enough to win from an interior alignment with his slick route running. Attacks cushion with good surge off the line and can reach a top gear before changing course with full-tilt cuts. Might not be a true power forward at the catch point, but can play above shoulder pads with his timing and body control.' Advertisement Michigan needs good talent at the WR position, and it is getting it in Johnson. 'Will shed a tackle or two with the ball in his hands and has surprising agility in tight quarters for someone of his stature,' the scouting report continues. 'Missed time as a junior due to injury, but still finished the season with over 1,000 receiving yards before turning heads at the OT7 Finals summer before senior year. Rather narrow in the shoulders for a pass catcher that's verified at over 6-foot-3, but projects as a potential impact player on Saturdays that will work for his quarterbacks. Mature game could have him in the lineup sooner rather than later.' There aren't many teams recruiting as well as Michigan right now. It's looking like Sherrone Moore is going to finish with another top-10 class if everything goes to plan. Related: 5-star Michigan football WR target gets real on potential Bryce Underwood duo Related: Sacramento State tops Ole Miss, North Carolina for four star recruit
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
4-star Michigan football WR commit breaks down recent decision
The post 4-star Michigan football WR commit breaks down recent decision appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Michigan football team made a big splash in the recruiting world on Friday as it landed a commitment from four-star 2026 wide receiver Travis Johnson. The Wolverines have had trouble landing elite WR talent in recent years, but their 2026 class has a good amount of skill. Johnson is definitely a big add for head coach Sherrone Moore and his staff, and he recently discussed what drew him to Michigan. Advertisement Travis Johnson had a lot of good options for college, and he took official visits to multiple elite programs. The Michigan football team felt like the right one. 'Michigan was the best fit for me,' Johnson said, according to an article from Rivals. 'Coach Bellamy and coach Moore, we clicked from day one when they offered me. Then Chip Lindsey, the new offensive coordinator, I love the new system, and with Bryce Underwood being the new quarterback I could see myself thrive there for sure.' In terms of what stood out, it was who Johnson was able to meet at Michigan. He knows that he will be able to make a lot of good connections with the Wolverines. 'The people,' Johnson said. 'It's Michigan. It has a big network. The people are good. All of my guys from Virginia are there.' Advertisement Recruits are often drawn to Michigan's culture, and that stood out to Johnson as well. The fact that the program recently won a national title was the cherry on top. 'Just the culture for real and they won the (national championship) two years ago,' Johnson added. 'I want to win one, too. I'm trying my best, going to give my hardest every step of the way to try and get another one.' All in all, Johnson is feeling good about his decision. 'It's amazing to be a Michigan man,' he said. The 2026 Michigan football recruiting class is in fantastic shape, and players like Travis Johnson are why. Sherrone Moore is going to have another terrific recruiting class. Related: Oklahoma football way-too-early bold predictions for 2025 season Related: Michigan football an early contender for elite 2027 TE
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Michigan Adds Blue-Chip Receiver Commitment to Top 10 Recruiting Class
Michigan Adds Blue-Chip Receiver Commitment to Top 10 Recruiting Class originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In recent weeks, coach Sherrone Moore and the Michigan Wolverines football team have been on a recruiting hot streak. The 2023 national champs have secured 14 commitments since June 1. Advertisement One of those commitments was from five-star EDGE Carter Meadows, who is ranked No. 6 player in the country by On3 and 36th overall in their industry composite rankings. On Friday, Michigan earned another blue-chip commitment when four-star wide receiver Travis Johnson announced his pledge. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound receiver from Chesapeake, Virginia, caught 21 passes for 490 yards and five touchdowns in five games played. When discussing what it meant to join the Big Ten program, Johnson shared his enthusiasm. 'It's amazing to be a Michigan man,' Johnson said. 'Michigan was the best fit for me.' Hailing from Oscar Smith High School, Johnson had more than 30 offers but chose Michigan over North Carolina, Penn State, South Carolina, Indiana and more. Advertisement 'Coach Bellamy and coach Moore, we clicked from day one when they offered me," Johnson continued. "Then Chip Lindsey, the new offensive coordinator, I love the new system, and with Bryce Underwood being the new quarterback, I could see myself thrive there for sure.' Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Han / USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images The Wolverines now boast the No. 9 class in On3's 2026 team rankings. Michigan has 21 commitments, 13 of which are four-star players. 'Just the culture for real and they won the (national championship) two years ago,' Johnson added. 'I want to win one, too. I'm trying my best, I'm going to give my hardest every step of the way to try and get another one.' Advertisement Related: Michigan Adds Third Blue-Chip Commitment in Three Days Related: Paul Finebaum Gets Real About Jeremiah Smith's Fiery Jab at Michigan This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Michigan football to host 5-star WR Calvin Russell for key Victors Weekend recruiting push
Michigan football is wrapping up its third and penultimate big official visit recruiting weekend, and while there are some heavy hitters on campus this weekend, there are due to be even more the next. This weekend was headlined by 2026 Mineral (Va.) Louisa County five-star running back Savion Hiter, who the Wolverines have long appeared to have the lead for -- but are fending off Tennessee, Ohio State, and Georgia -- but there were other big names on campus, like athlete Salesi Moa, too. But this upcoming Friday-Sunday is 'Victors Weekend,' the final push for some of the top overall targets for the maize and blue. Advertisement And one elusive prospect, who may be just behind Hiter on the wish list, appears set to make it to Ann Arbor. A top wide receiver set to visit The Wolverines have one receiver committed in the 2026 class in Dallas (Tx.) Parish Episcopal three-star Jaylen Pile. This weekend, Michigan hosted four-star Travis Johnson and had four-star Zion Robinson visit in May. But perhaps the big fish is none other than Miami (Fla.) Northwestern five-star Calvin Russell. And according to The Michigan Insider's Brice Marich, Russell is set to visit Ann Arbor this week. Russell has been setting his visits week by week, so for Michigan to get a visit at this juncture is big news for the Wolverines. Scouting report The scouting report from 247Sports' Andrew Ivins: Hulking wide receiver with above-the-rim athleticism that makes him a uniquely dangerous target, especially down in the red zone. Owns more of a slender build, but has measured over 6-foot-5 multiple times and is blessed with a near 6-foot-10 wingspan. Isn't exactly the most polished route runner at this stage, but creates separation with unexpected suddenness for such a longer strider. Superb body control tends to create even more of a disadvantage for defensive backs as he wins 50-50 battles with timing and positioning. Not going to outrun every tackle, but is quick to hit the gas and can make some dynamic cuts in traffic. Spent much of freshman and sophomore seasons repping as a run first-quarterback out of necessity before settling in as a must-look option in Year 3 for a storied Miami Northwestern program that captured a 3A championship. Will need to add some body armour to a rather wiry frame in hopes of improving play strength and buy into the process at the school of his choice, but should be viewed as a potential impact pass catcher for a College Football Playoff contender that can be positioned all around the field in hopes of creating mismatches. One of those good-at-everything athletes that could legitimately play two spots in college as he's also being recruited by basketball high majors. Advertisement Russell is rated highest by 247Sports, which has him as a five-star and the No. 21 overall player in the country, regardless of position. He's also the third-best wide receiver and second-rated player from the state of Florida. He's been to Miami the most, and he's coming off of his official there -- his seventh to Coral Gables. He's also visited Florida and Oregon three times. Russell has visited Ann Arbor before, having come to campus on March 17 of this year. This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan Wolverines target elite five-star WR for Victors Weekend
