After the way Michigan football finished the 2025 class with a flurry, landing Bryce Underwood and signing a top-10 class, the expectations were high for the Wolverines' 2026 class.
However, this recruiting class has also been taking place during a massive change in college athletics (House settlement). Michigan football wasn't being as specific about NIL numbers, because they were waiting for the House settlement to be finalized.
Now that it has been, Michigan has started to get hot on the trail. It feels like a top-10 class is in order again. The Wolverines have been trending with a bevy of blue-chip prospects over the past few weeks, but there is more work to do.
With Underwood and Michigan's willingness to play the NIL game, however that works in his new era, the door is open for another big-time recruiting class. Here are five 2026 recruits the Wolverines need to land to reach their full potential with Underwood, on top of the current 2026 commitments.
Savion Hiter, RB
It's clear Savion Hiter is the top target, offensively, for Michigan football in the 2026 class. He took an official visit last weekend, but it's hard to read where things stand.
Reports have put Michigan near the top, along with Tennessee. But Georgia and Ohio State are lurking. Hiter, who is ranked 11th overall in the 2026 class, according to the On3 Industry rankings, is 5-foot-11, 205 pounds out of Mineral, Virginia.
Landing a five-star quarterback was huge. Michigan hasn't signed a five-star running back since Donovan Edwards, and Hiter would be a game-changer. The Wolverines have put in a ton of effort, and missing out on him would be a huge disappointment.
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.
Kelvin Obot, offensive tackle
Felix Ojo is another dream target for the Wolverines. He's a five-star offensive tackle but Texas will be tough to beat, even though Michigan has made some headway.
Another offensive tackle who isn't quite as touted is Kelvin Obot. He's 6-foot-5, 265 pounds out of Fruitland, Idaho. He will visit Michigan football this weekend, and it feels like there is a chance the Wolverines could close out a commitment.
Utah is one of the teams in the mix. Nebraska is, too, along with Oregon. With Andrew Babalola and Ty Haywood in the 2025 class, along with Andrew Sprague slated to start at right tackle for the next 2-3 years, along with Babalola on the left, tackle isn't a huge need.
But, you always want to have a stable of talented pass protectors. Obot would fit the mold, plus the Wolverines have done well with others from Idaho (Colston Loveland).
Carter Meadows, EDGE
The 6-foot-6, 225-pound pass rusher, Carter Meadows, is another must-get in this class for Michigan football.
Meadows is ranked 36th overall out of Washington, D.C., according to the On3 Industry rankings. However, On3's own rankings have him ranked sixth overall in the entire class.
Penn State and Michigan are two of the favorites according to the On3 prediction machine. Meadows also took official visits to Ohio State and South Carolina. The elite defensive prospect will have visited Penn State four times and Michigan three after this weekend.
Meadows had just one sack in six games last season, as well as five tackles for loss. But 247 Sports describes a "spider-like ability" as a pass rusher, which has me intrigued.
Michigan football can get the most out of him. It has with others in that mold, such as David Ojabo. Now, the Wolverines just need to do enough on the official visit this weekend to land his commitment.
Titan Davis, DL
Michigan football seems like the perfect landing spot for a dude named Titan Davis, a 6-foot-4.5, 270-pound defensive line recruit out of St. Louis.
Davis is ranked No. 101 overall, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings, but he's easily one of the top targets on the board for the Wolverines in the 2026 class. He will take an official visit to Ann Arbor this weekend after visits to USC, Penn State, and Alabama.
Davis had 46 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and nine sacks last season for a 6A football program in Missouri. He's got the production to match his potential. He will also have the size to be a defensive tackle or at least a five-technique down the road.
Outside of an elite quarterback and playmakers at the skill positions, being elite in the trenches is how you win championships. Adding Davis, along with Meadows in the 2026 class would help ensure Michigan has all the pieces needed to win it all with Underwood.