The Michigan Wolverines may have just received an indirect assist from the Detroit Lions in the recruitment of 2026 four-star RB Javian Osborne. Here’s how:
Four-star running back Javian Osborne is one of Michigan’s top overall targets in the 2026 class. The electric 5-foot-10, 195-pounder from Forney, Texas is considered a lean to the in-state Longhorns as of now. However, the professional football team right down I-94 east may have given the Wolverines a massive assist in this recruitment.
As reported by 247Sports on Thursday, the Detroit Lions are hiring Texas Longhorns running backs coach Tashard Choice to coach their running backs. Before getting hired by the Lions, Choice was also in the mix for the same position with the Dallas Cowboys .
Osborne reacted to the news on social media shortly after the news broke. Needless to say, he doesn’t seem thrilled:
What Lil Wayne Say “Let it all work out” #HookEm https://t.co/2Jhr3HpGI1
— Javian “JO” Osborne (@osborne__era) February 13, 2025
While the Longhorns will look to quickly bring in a replacement for Choice to keep them in consideration for Osborne, Michigan provides stability in the coaching staff with running backs coach Tony Alford. In his first recruiting cycle with the Wolverines, Alford brought in two highly regarded running backs in Jasper Parker and Donovan Johnson. But Alford is swinging for the fences with players like Osborne and five-star Savion Hiter in 2026.
Alford was also a very successful recruiter during his time at Ohio State . He helped reel in five-star TreVeyon Henderson and four-star J.K. Dobbins, two players that excelled at the position in Columbus, with Dobbins having a solid NFL career so far. Henderson is on his way to the NFL this spring and is among the top prospects at the position. His blend of high level recruiting and developing is what made him such a big time hire last offseason for first-time head coach Sherrone Moore.
All in all, this is a big development for Osborne’s recruitment, and one that definitely doesn’t help Texas. If anything, the Lions hiring Choice indirectly helps the maize and blue in their efforts to bring in the No. 4 running back, No. 8 player from Texas and No. 58 overall player in the 2026 class, according to 247Sports’ composite.
Only time will tell if this eventually helps Michigan, but the Longhorns would be wise to make a hire quickly considering Osborn is set to officially visit Texas the weekend of June 13 before heading to Ann Arbor the weekend of June 20 for an official visit.