This is a huge weekend for Michigan football recruiting. It's the final official visit weekend before the dead period and the last time recruits will be on campus until September.
There won't be a recruiting BBQ at the end of July and by the time August rolls around, teams will be preparing for the 2025 season.
So in terms of visits, this is it for the next two months. That's why you are seeing so many commitment announcements over the next two weeks.
Michigan football currently has 11 commitments in the 2026 class, counting the recent additions of Micah Drescher, who just committed to the Wolverines as a kicker. Colton Dermer is a long snapper.
Michigan has six blue-chip commitments out of nine (not including specialists). The Wolverines have a top-100 quarterback, a tight end, and a pass rusher ranked in the top 200 overall of the 247 Sports composite rankings for the 2026 class.
There is still plenty of work to do, though. There will be some star-studded prospects on campus once again this weekend (20 total), and here are five that are most important.
Calvin Russell, WR
Calvin Russell is a five-star according to 247 Sports. The 6-foot-5, 195-pound wide receiver is 47th overall in the 247 Sports composite rankings, but he would probably be the best receiver to wear Maize and Blue since Nico Collins.
Michigan actually has a 6-foot-5 receiver on the roster for this season, Donaven McCulley, who doesn't get talked about enough, but after this season, there will be a glaring need for that kind of player.
Jamar Browder certainly has a shot to make some noise as a freshman. But Russell, who is from Miami, and just took an official visit to the Miami Hurricanes would be a program-changing addition.
The Wolverines did well to get the final official visit. Bryce Underwood is a selling point. NIL will also be a factor, and this might be a test of how Michigan football performs against teams like Miami in this new era (following the House settlement).
Carter Meadows, EDGE
Meadows is another prospect who isn't ranked as a five-star, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings, but is ranked as a five-star by one service (On3).
The 6-foot-6, 225-pound pass rusher out of Washington, D.C. has "spider-like ability," according to his 247 Sports scouting report. He did only have one sack last season in high school, though.
So this is a bet on potential. But Michigan football has excelled with players like this. David Ojabo comes to mind. Penn State and Ohio State are in thick of this recruitment, too, but this is a big opportunity for Michigan to land an elite athlete on the defensive line.
Meadows had a strong visit during the spring and if Michigan can replicate that, maybe Lou Esposito can hit another one out of the park.
Titan Davis, DL
Michigan has done impressive work in the recruitment of four-star defensive lineman Titan Davis, who is 6-foot-4.5, 270 pounds out of St. Louis, Missouri.
Earlier this month, the four-star ranked No. 101 overall in the 2026 class, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings, said that he was down to the Michigan Wolverines and Alabama.
Alabama hosted him for an official visit last weekend and seemed to impress Davis. Every official visit goes well, at least most of them, so it's not surprising. Michigan just has to top it.
Getting Davis on campus with all of the commitments, who will be there for Victor's Weekend, should help. Esposito is an ace recruiter, so I feel good about Michigan's chances. Allister Vallejo was a big get. So was McHale Blade.
Yet, if Michigan football were able to add Titan Davis and Carter Meadows, that would be an incredible haul on the defensive line, one that will pay dividends for years to come.
Kelvin Obot, OT
The offensive tackle from Fruitland, Idaho is another blue-chip prospect who should be on the radar of Michigan football fans this weekend.
Obot is 6-foot-5, 265 pounds. He's ranked No. 131 overall in the 2026 class, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings, and would be a great addition to the offensive line.
You can never have enough quality offensive tackles. Michigan is in a good spot moving forward with Andrew Babalola, Andrew Sprague, and Ty Haywood. Obot would add another starting-caliber tackle to the mix for the future.
According to Allen Trieu of 247 Sports, Utah is the team in the lead. Michigan will have to make a move this weekend to get past the Utes, but the Wolverines have had success with players from Idaho (Colston Loveland), so you never know.
The blue-chip offensive lineman also visited Oregon and Nebraska.
Malakai Lee, OT
One of my personal favorites in the 2026 class is offensive tackle Malakai Lee, who is the top-ranked recruit in the state of Hawaii, according to 247 Sports, which has him ranked 137th overall.
At 6-foot-6, 318 pounds, Lee has tons of upside. He's got long arms and is just prototypical. Here's part of his scouting report from Greg Biggins of 247 Sports:
"From a traits standpoint, offensive linemen don’t come much better looking than Lee. He’s all of 6-6, 325 pounds with verified 36” arms and an 85”+ wingspan. He’s a fluid mover as well and has the feet, balance, and frame to project as a tackle and could line up on either side, right or left in college."
Michigan football has the crystal ball lead for Lee going into the official visit. However, landing his commitment won't be easy. Georgia, Alabama, and Texas each got official visits.
This will be Lee's fourth visit to Michigan football, according to On3. That's two more visits than any other program in the mix. Hopefully, that will be enough to put the Wolverines over the top. They have a strong culture and are known for their offensive line development.
Those things should help. This is a highly-contested recruitment, though, and it's easy to see why.