Michigan football seemed poised to land five-star wide receiver Calvin Russell on Saturday night, before getting punched in the gut by Syracuse.
The Orange surely spent a hefty amount of money on Russell, just like Michigan would have if he committed to the Wolverines. The 6-foot-5, 195-pound receiver was ranked 32nd overall in the 2026 class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, after all.
He was always going to get paid. This probably had a lot to do with Fran Brown. Probably even more to do with that. Relationships are important in recruiting.
In the bigger picture, it doesn't really matter why. Michigan did a good job of recruiting Russell. It beat Miami and LSU in the race for him, not something many would have expected back in May.
Syracuse just won out. Here are three thoughts on what's next for Michigan football.
No need to panic
The coaching staff isn't going to panic, and they shouldn't. You win some and you lose some. That's just the way of recruiting. The next move is what matters now.
Russell has tremendous potential. But Michigan football had two wide receiver commitments ranked in the top 144 overall of the 247 Sports composite rankings. Zion Robinson is 6-foot-4 and ranked No. 132 overall. Travis Johnson who committed earlier this week, is 6-foot-3, 185. He's ranked No. 144 overall.
When you add those guys to Andrew Marsh and Jacob Washington of the 2025 class, Michigan football has four top-200 receivers signed or committed in the past two classes, not to mention Matt Ludwig, a dynamic weapon at tight end ranked No. 160 overall in 2026.
Russell would have been nice. But he also wasn't desperately needed.
Don't forget about Jaylen Pile
The 6-foot-1, 187-pounder out of Dallas, Texas, finished the 2024 season with 1,367 receiving yards. Pile had 19 touchdown receptions as a junior, not to mention 35 for his career, as well as 110-receptions
Surely, Pile will see his ranking rise this fall. But if you want to feel better about this receiver class, put on his highlights. He's an underrated addition at No. 734 overall. If Pile was the only commitment, I'd be worried, but with all three in the fold, as long as it stays that way, Michigan will be just fine.
It also wouldn't surprise to see him rise in the rankings to the range of a four-star this fall. Sometimes, kids from Texas get overlooked, and their ranking suffers because of it.
Pile feels like one of those prospects. His film doesn't look like the film of a three-star recruit.
Go all in on other targets
While it's disappointing to miss on Russell, the fact is, that will open some money for Michigan football to spend somewhere else.
It might not always work like that, but the Wolverines are in a position to land another five-star recruit. That's running back Savion Hiter, the No. 17 overall prospect in the 2026 class, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings.
Hiter is out of Mineral, Virginia. He's 5-foot-11, 205-pounds, and ranked No. 1 among running backs. The experts have said his decision will come down to Michigan and Tennessee.
In the past two classes, the Wolverines have landed a top-200 player at every position but running back. It's time to change that and go all in on Savion Hiter. Whatever it takes.
Davon Benjamin, a top-50 defensive back, and four-star linebacker Nick Abrams are other players that Michigan should try to close with. The Wolverines need a safety. Benjamin, who reminds me of Daxton Hill, could play corner or safety like Andre Clarke. That would lock down the secondary.
It's clear that the Wolverines are still looking to add another linebacker. That position could now be a greater priority now that Michigan won't be paying big money to Russell.