Recruiting Roundup: Michigan in a good spot for elite WR with ties to Bryce Underwood

Following his 11th known visit to Ann Arbor, the Michigan Wolverines are in a good position for an elite wide receiver who grew up playing football with Bryce Underwood. That and more in today’s Recruiting Roundup:

The start of February provides the final signing period for the 2025 class, and with Michigan’s 2025 class all set now that Ty Haywood committed yesterday, the Wolverines are focusing all their attention on the younger classes.

Michigan in good standing with elite in-state WR

With Belleville native Bryce Underwood signed with Michigan, Ann Arbor is a much more enticing destination for wide receivers than it has been in recent seasons. That includes a player like 2027 four-star Dakota Guerrant.

Guerrant was in Ann Arbor twice this fall for the games against Fresno State and Texas , and just visited again last weekend. The Harper Woods native is ranked 29th in his class, seventh among receivers and second among Michigan recruits on the 247Sports composite .

On3’s Ethan McDowell ($) mentioned Guerrant has visited Michigan a whopping 11 times, so there’s clear interest there. He spoke with McDowell on why he keeps coming back.

“The culture, man,” Guerrant said. “The winning culture, especially when they won the national title. I just want to be around a winning culture.”

Guerrant grew up with Underwood, who has been telling him “you know what to do” when it comes to his recruitment. He also mentioned head coach Sherrone Moore has been telling him he’s also ready for him to commit.

“He’s a great coach,” Guerrant said of Moore. “He’s like a second father.”

Not many recruits visit the same school more than 10 times, especially as young as he is. When you factor in that and the Underwood connection, Michigan appears to be the clear favorite to land Guerrant.

2026 four-star WR recaps weekend visit

Guerrant is far from the only pass catcher Underwood is trying to convince to come to Michigan, as 2026 four-star wide receiver Travis Johnson also made a connection with him on his visit this past weekend.

“I mean, last year they could have done better offensively, but I talked to Bryce Underwood today,” Johnson told Brice Marich of The Michigan Insider ($ ). “He’s a good dude and another great dude on the field.”

Johnson has a few dozen offers and is ranked 128th overall and 17th among receivers. He has connected with the coaches more since his visit for the Texas game .

“I love the relationship I have with the coaches,” Johnson said. “They’re very genuine like especially I came down for Texas when they lost to Texas this year. They lost the game and still after the game I was out with dinner with coach Bellamy. He’s a great dude and so with coach Moore. He’s a great, genuine guy.”

Despite Michigan being a run-heavy offense, landing Underwood will provide MIchigan a legitimate chance for wide receivers like Johnson.

2026 four-star DL discusses recent visit

Like Guerrant and Johnson, 2026 four-star defensive lineman Jermaine Kinsler also attended the Texas game and was back in Ann Arbor last weekend for another visit.

On his most recent trip, Kinsler told TMI’s Marich ($) he connected with defensive line coach Lou Esposito, saw the weight room, met with a nutritionist and watched the team go through workouts.

“My first experience, I mean, the game, the Big House, it was jumping,” Kinsler said. “It was crazy. This time coming around, I got to talk to the coaches on a deeper level and then coach Lou, we spoke good. Coach Moore came to our high school, so we had a good conversation there, too.”

Kinsler said the coaching staff told him he would play multiple positions along the line.

“They said I would play defensive end on first and second down, and then go into a 3 technique on third down,” Kinsler said. “Oh yeah, coach Wink, the defense he runs is like an NFL scheme. I mean, he really created the scheme, so we right there (at Michigan), you got what you need.”

The most important woman in Kinsler’s life — his mother — also loved the visit, which is never a bad thing. Kinsler hopes to return again sometime this spring.

Quick hitters

–Jackson Cantwell , a five-star offensive lineman who is currently the No. 1 player in the 2026 class on the composite, included the Wolverines in his top-six.

-Top-sixes are all the rage this week, with 2026 four-star safety Kentavion Anderson also including Michigan in his.