Recruiting Roundup: Four-Star OL Bear McWhorter discusses decision to commit to Michigan

Michigan gained a commitment from 2026 four-star OL Bear McWhorter on Friday, and now he’s discussing why he chose the Wolverines. That and more in today’s Recruiting Roundup:

Every week is an important one on the recruiting trail this time of year, as 2026 recruits are setting spring and summer visits and are getting closer to making a decision. The Michigan Wolverines are in good standing with a lot of recruits, and a good amount of progress was made throughout the past week.

We discuss a few of those prospects in today’s Recruiting Roundup, but we begin with Michigan’s newest committed player.

New OL commit breaks down decision

Michigan picked up a nice commitment this past week, as 2026 four-Star offensive lineman Bear McWhorter announced he will play for the Wolverines.

McWhorter is now opening up on that decision with On3’ s Chad Simmons ($).

“My first time visiting was January of my freshman year, and they had just won the Joe Moore award, so that had my attention,” he said. “When they really made their move was in the fall when I was there for the Oregon game. The game didn’t go their way, but I talked more with the coaches, I saw more of the culture and things took off from there.”

Sherrone Moore and offensive line coach Grant Newsome both did a great job recruiting McWhorter, who is named after legendary Alabama head coach Bear Bryant. McWhorter was considering the Crimson Tide before he committed to Michigan. Those aforementioned relationships played a huge role in his decision.

“Coach Newsome talks to me every day. He is a very personable guy, I can go to him about anything and we have gotten really close. I trust him, I like who he is and I believe in him. Coach Moore was a huge factor too. He is a great head coach who has had a lot of success coaching offensive linemen. I really like how they develop offensive linemen, the culture is great and I really want to be a part of it.”

2026 four-star WR talks Michigan interest

2026 four-star wide receiver Messiah Hampton is getting attention from a lot of top programs, and Michigan is one of them.

“They checked a lot of boxes,” Hampton told On3’s Ethan McDowell ($) . “A great program, great staff, great strength program, great everything, great receiver coach. I’m definitely excited to check out the new OC they got up there.”

Hampton doesn’t have a visit locked in with Michigan right now, but he did come to Ann Arbor last summer. He wants to get back soon, and he plans on visiting at some point in March.

“I don’t have anything set in stone but, definitely in March, I’m going to plan to go there,” Hampton said.

Michigan wide receiver coach Ron Bellamy knows how big it would be if the Wolverines can land a commitment from Hampton, and it sounds like he is doing his best to make it happen.

“He’s just constantly calling me, calling my mom, calling my coaches, just keeping that line of communication open,” Hampton said.

Hampton also noted he wants to commit around the end of the June.

Four-star OL discusses upcoming Michigan visit

2026 four-star offensive lineman Brock Kolojay has already visited Michigan a couple times, and he will be back in Ann Arbor on March 22. He caught up with On3’s EJ Holland ($) to discuss his upcoming visit.

“It’s going to be my dad’s first time visiting,” Kolojay said. “I want him to see everything. I’ve seen everything, but I do want to hang out with the players and see how the staff does things. I also want to spend more time with the support staff. I know they just hired Coach (Juan) Castillo from UCLA, so I want to meet him.”

Michigan has made Kolojay feel like “a priority” during the recruiting process, and that’s been big for him.

“They treat me like a priority,” Kolojay said. “I’m high on their board. I’ve enjoyed my visits there. It’s a no brainer for me. Their culture is elite. They put in real effort, and I really appreciate that.”

Kolojay has obviously spent a lot of time talking to Newsome, and their relationship continues to get stronger as Michigan makes a strong push.

“It’s been fantastic talking to him,” Kolojay said. “We’ve been talking about life and how the new players are adapting. When he came to see me, we sat down and drew up plays. I love talking ball with him. I’m continuing to build a good relationship with him.”

Quick Hitters

• 2026 four-star wide receiver Travis Johnson will be taking his official visit to Michigan the weekend of June 13.

• 2026 four-star offensive lineman Darius Gray will be unofficially visiting Michigan on April 8.

• 2026 four-star tight end Ian Premer is taking visits to three schools in the spring, including Michigan.

• Jaxx DeJean , the brother of Eagles star Cooper DeJean, has three visits coming up in the spring. He will be coming to Ann Arbor on March 29th.

• 2026 defensive lineman Demari Simeon is another top prospect visiting Michigan in the spring.