Michigan has another deep and talented roster for 2025, so let’s look ahead to the next class of Wolverines. Here’s which groups and which high school prospect to look out for:
Ty Haywood ’s commitment wrapped up an excellent 2025 recruiting class for the Michigan Wolverines , and all focus now shifts to 2026, which could be another great class for Sherrone Moore and company if they land some of their top targets.
In no particular order, let’s look ahead and see which position groups are of the biggest needs for the Wolverines in the next recruiting cycle.
Quarterback
Even though the Wolverines just landed Bryce Underwood — the No. 1 player in the entire 2025 class — the quarterback position should always be at the top of every program’s wishlist on the recruiting trail. Top targets early on for Michigan include five-star Ryder Lyons, four-star Brady Smigiel and four-star Matt Ponatoski.
Wide Receiver
Semaj Morgan and Frederick Moore are juniors, Donaven McCulley has only one year of eligibility left, and despite some potentially good true freshmen in Andrew Marsh and Jacob Washington, the depth doesn’t exactly jump off the page. If Underwood lives up to the hype, he will attract outside weapons not only through the portal but also on the trail.
Of the two total commits so far, one is a three-star wide receiver Jaylen Pile. The Wolverines have already offered an abundance of standouts at the position, but some of the top targets include four-star Davion Brown, four-star Travis Johnson, four-star Mason James and — perhaps most notably — four-star CJ Sadler, a product of Cass Tech.
Tight End
Redshirt junior Marlin Klein will have an opportunity to breakout in 2025 and sophomore Hogan Hansen has already shown flashes in the receiving game. However, it never hurts to add elite tight ends in this type of offensive scheme, and the Wolverines already have their sights set on a highly-coveted 2026 player.
The biggest name to watch for is four-star Brock Harris, a 6-foot-6, 240-pounder from Utah who is an absolute monster. Michigan has been aggressive in its pursuit of Harris and he would be a major get for the upcoming class. The Wolverines are also heavily involved with four-star Matt Ludwig, four-star Mack Sutter and three-star Mason Bonner.
Offensive Line
Given Moore’s “SMASH” identity, offensive line will always likely be one of Michigan’s top overall needs in any recruiting class. Five-star Jackson Cantwell is a gargantuan 6-foot-7.5, 300-pounder and will be a key target for a lot of programs in this class. Other names to keep in mind include four-star Malakai Lee, four-star Zaden Krempin, four-star Gregory Patrick, four-star Carter Scruggs, four-star Leo Delaney, three-star Jax Tanner, three-star Bear McWhorter and three-star Marky Walbridge.
Defensive Line
The Wolverines will boast another fierce front, with Rayshaun Benny, Damon Payne Jr., Trey Pierce and Tré Williams on the inside, and guys like Derrick Moore, TJ Guy and Cam Brandt manning the edges. Considering the program’s ability to attract and develop defensive linemen, this should be another group of focus for 2026.
Michigan is in on plenty of interior linemen and edge rushers in this class, including four-star edge Carter Meadows, four-star edge Jake Kreul, four-star edge McHale Blade, unranked edge Jackson Ford, four-star interior Elijah Golden, four-star interior Jermaine Kinsler and three-star interior Alexander Haskell, to name a handful.
Linebacker
Ernest Hausmann, Jaishawn Barham, Jimmy Rolder and Jaydon Hood are all veterans at this point, but beyond 2025, the room may be a bit thin. A new era of linebackers will emerge in Ann Arbor in the near future, so it’s time to stock up on this position.
Michigan is attempting to flip a few linebackers that are already committed to other programs, including four-star Jordan Campbell (Miami), four-star Shadarius Toodle (Auburn), three-star Josh Galbreath (Kansas) and three-star Wassie Lugolobi (Washington). Other uncommitted targets include four-star Storm Miller, four-star Cincere Johnson and unranked Phillip Goodrich,