5 must-land recruits for Michigan to reach its full potential with Bryce Underwood

Michigan football has a golden opportunity moving forward with Bryce Underwood and here are five recruits in the 2026 that the Wolverines must land to build around him.
Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore, center, speaks to players after the spring game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore, center, speaks to players after the spring game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 19, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Calvin Russell, WR

The Wolverines are on the verge of a stellar wide receiver haul in 2026. Travis Johnson, a four-star ranked in the top 200, has a decision date of July 4th and has been trending with expert projections to Michigan football.

The Wolverines are also in a good spot with Zion Robinson, although he added a visit to Nebraska. Still, if the Wolverines added Johnson and borderline five-star wideout Calvin Russell, that would be a home run.

Russell is from Miami, Florida. Michigan made his top eight. He's 6-foot-5, 195 pounds, and ranked No. 47 overall in the 2026 class, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings.

Russell is a five-star via 247 Sports (No. 23 overall) and would be the best receiver Michigan has signed since Nico Collins. The dynamic wideout has visited Oregon, LSU, Miami, and Florida State this month, according to 247 Sports, so it's not going to be easy.

But the Wolverines are getting the final visit before the dead period this weekend and it's a chance to give Underwood the No. 1 wide receiver he deserves.