Michigan has gotten off to a slow, though not unusual start in recruiting for the class of 2026. What are their biggest needs and areas of concern? STORY:
Michigan’s 2026 recruiting class currently has three commitments — wide receiver Jaylen Pile, offensive lineman Bear McWhorter and cornerback Brody Jennings. The class sits 16th out of 18 teams in the Big Ten and 57th nationally, per 247Sports. Slow recruiting starts are nothing out of norm for Michigan, which usually does most of its heavy lifting in the summer and fall months.
With that being said, the recruiting board is wide open for the Wolverines. What are the biggest needs for Sherrone Moore and company? Let’s discuss a few positions.
Wide Receiver
The Michigan Wolverines are in need of high end wide receiver talent. With new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey’s scheme allegedly being more pass-heavy than Michigan has historically been, I’d expect the receivers to be more involved than ever. The current room has a ton of bodies, but lacks elite talent.
After this season, the room will considerably clean out as well, as Donaven McCulley, C.J. Charleston, Anthony Simpson and Peyton O’Leary are all out of eligibility. Expect Ron Bellamy and company to aggressively recruit top-end talent here.
Tight End
After Andrew Olesh flipped from Michigan to Penn State late in the 2025 recruiting cycle, the Wolverines were left without a true tight end in the class. You can’t afford to do that two years in a row. Michigan desperately needs to start the next wave of great tight ends in Ann Arbor. Marlin Klein, Hogan Hansen and Brady Prieskorn have the position locked down this season, but there is very little depth after that.
Defensive Tackle
The gifts from the football gods have departed Ann Arbor in Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, and while Rayshaun Benny and the transfers should fill in nicely this season, the depth behind them is questionable.
The Wolverines need to be prepared to restock the room with high-floor, ready-to-play type players. Michigan’s depth will be tested as early as next season.
Linebacker
Linebacker will be the most veteran group on the 2025 squad, as Jaishawn Barham, Ernest Hausmann and Jimmy Rolder are all seniors, as is bench option Jaydon Hood.
With that comes uncertainty for the future. Michigan has recruited well at linebacker in recent years, but in small quantities. Whereas some of the groups above need a smaller quantity of higher-end talent, this group simply needs a large quantity of players. Expect Michigan to go after a ton of guys at the position in this 2026 class.