Recruiting Roundup: Michigan trying to hold onto four-star commit amidst SEC interest

The Wolverines are staying busy to start the new year as they pursue some of the top 2026 recruits, as well as wrap up the 2025 class. Perhaps most importantly, Michigan is attempting to fend off some SEC schools for a four-star commit:

The Michigan Wolverines’ coaching staff is already going hard after some top names in the 2026 recruiting class, but they are also attempting to fend off one of their committed players from other schools that have recently showed interest in him.

Southern schools trying to poach Michigan commit

Jacksonville (FL.) Mandarin 2026 four-star cornerback Brody Jennings has been committed to Michigan since last July. He maintains a strong pledge to the Wolverines, but other schools continue to push for the 6-foot-1, 175-pounder.

Florida and Miami are working to keep Jennings in the Sunshine State, while Georgia offered him last week. Multiple coaches have come by to see Jennings this month, including Florida secondary coach Will Harris, Miami head coach Mario Cristobal, and Sherrone Moore and LaMar Morgan.

While this doesn’t exactly warrant panic, Jennings had this to say to On3 about Miami: “Coach Cristobal is a great dude. He’s a great guy.

“I like the history behind Miami. I have family members there and my family’s from Miami. It’s like a family atmosphere down there.”

However, a key reason Jennings remains committed to Michigan is his relationship with Moore and Morgan. For now, he is planning on playing in Ann Arbor.

“I love Michigan,” Jennings said. “It’s a great spot for me. They love me, too. That’s part of why I committed. I’m going to visit other schools, but I’m still 1,000% locked in with Michigan.”

Time will tell if Jennings means it.

Michigan among favorites for top player in NY

Rochester (NY.) Monroe 2026 four-star wide receiver Messiah Hampton is the best player in New York and a four-star on the 247Sports composite. He has 17 offers, but five of them are high on his list.

“Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, Rutgers and Syracuse are up there for me,” Hampton recently told On3 . “I went to games at each of those schools in the season and those are my top-five schools.

“They are up there because of how they recruit me. Each is trying to get me to commit, so they are coming hard. They have shown me that I am a priority. I also like the player-coach relationships at those schools.”

While Ohio State and Penn State are probably at the front of the conversation right now, Hampton knows how much Michigan has to offer.

“My relationship with coach B (Ron Bellamy) is strong at Michigan. He is a cool guy and we talk a lot. I am learning about the new offensive coordinator (Chip Lindsey), but I have heard great things. Michigan having Bryce Underwood and playing young players also stands out.”

The Wolverines struggled at the position this year and could use a stud like Hampton to bolster their room. As his recruitment process heats up, it will be interesting to see if Lindsey, Underwood and company have enough draw for Hampton.

Quick Hitters

• 2026 four-star safety Ayden Pouncey has named Michigan as one of his top-10 schools . He is 6-foot-3, 175 pounds and is currently rated as the No. 11 safety in the nation.
• The Wolverines recently offered four-star safety Cooper Witten . The son of legendary NFL tight end — Jason Witten — is the No. 34 overall player in the 2027 class.
• Sherrone Moore and other members of his staff recently paid a visit to the nation’s No. 1 running back, five-star Savion Hiter .

• Moore, Lou Esposito and Sean Magee visited Washington (DC) Gonzaga College 2026 four-star edge rusher Carter Meadows last week at one of his basketball games, per 247Sports . He also revealed he is hoping to visit sometime this spring. The 6-foot-6, 215-pounder is a top priority for the Wolverines in this cycle.
• Moore, Morgan and Magee were at Bishop Gorman (NV) last week to see the No. 1 safety in the 2026 class, Jett Washington .