5 recruits who can still take Michigan's 2026 class to the next level

The disappointment from Michigan football missing out on five-star wideout Calvin Russell is still lingering.

Something that would help is if the Wolverines added to their 2026 class, which currently has 20 commitments, 11 of which are ranked in the top 200 of the 247 Sports composite rankings.

Michigan is on the path to a top-10 class for the second year in a row. Even after missing out on Russell, the Wolverines have three talented receivers committed, including two in the top 150 overall, Zion Robinson and Travis Johnson. Jaylen Pile is also underrated as a three-star prospect.

There are still some key targets on the board, and here are five that could help the Wolverines sign another top-10, or even a top-5 recruiting class.

Five-star RB Savion Hiter

The top target on the board, Savion Hiter, is expected to make a decision "soon." That's what Hiter posted on his social media recently after taking official visits to Michigan, Tennessee, Georgia, and Ohio State.

It feels like a Michigan-Tennessee battle at this point. Landing the 5-foot-11, 205-pound running back out of Mineral, Virginia, ranked 17th overall, would certainly make fans forget about Russell.

It would also fill a huge need. Michigan has landed a top-200 recruit at every single position group on the roster in the past two classes, outside of the specialists, who don't get ranked that high, except for running back.

I love Jasper Parker and think he can play like a highly-ranked four-star back. But landing Hiter would leave Michigan set at the position during the Bryce Underwood era.

Maybe the Wolverines missed on a five-star wideout, but the next best-thing for a quarterback is a five-star running back and Hiter would be the first for Michigan since Donovan Edwards.

There aren't any expert projections or crystal ball predictions for Hiter.

4-star CB Davon Benjamin

Michigan has an elite haul on defense, especially up front, where the team has landed five blue-chip commitments and four players who rank in the top 200 overall. The secondary also features a pair of top-200 defensive backs in Dorian Barney and Andre Clarke.

However, the Wolverines could still use an elite cover corner. Clarke could end up as a safety. Barney might be a nickel. Both have position versatility. Davon Benjamin does, too.

247 Sports lists him as a safety. However, he's ranked as the top cornerback via On3. Benjamin is 6-foot, 170 pounds, and is ranked 35th overall, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings. Oregon has a crystal ball projection, but the Wolverines have been trending up.

There isn't a set commitment date right now. But this is another player who would take the 2026 class to another level. He could be the second coming of Daxton Hill.

4-star LB Nick Abrams

The Wolverines have one linebacker commitment from Markel Dabney, the former SMU pledge. Yet, it's clear that Michigan is looking for another linebacker in the 2026 class.

One of the biggest names on the radar is Nick Abrams, a four-star from Owings, Maryland. The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder is ranked No. 249 overall, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings.

Michigan has been battling Oregon, Alabama, and Georgia. The crystal ball projection is foggy at this point. A decision is coming on July 16th. Maybe after missing on Russell, there will be more NIL money available for someone like Abrams.

If the Wolverines miss on Abrams, Kenneth Goodwin could come back into the picture. He committed to SMU right after the Wolverines flipped Dabney.

4-star DT Deuce Geralds

Another big-time target still on the board is Deuce Geralds, a defensive line prospect from Georgia who is 6-foot-2.5, 265 pounds. He's also ranked 73rd overall, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings.

Michigan is among the final list of teams in contention, and according to EJ Holland of The Wolverine, U-M is near the top with Oregon.

Michigan football already has five blue-chip commitments on the defensive line, but another defenisive tackle prospect would be hard to turn away, especially one ranked in the top 100.

This feels like another recruitment where Michigan could invest more resources after missing on Russell. We all know how valuable elite defensive lineman can be. Ohio State leads via the On3 prediction machine but the sole prediction was from back in january.

Lou Esposito has been Michigan's best recruiter, at least among assistant coaches, so would it surprise anyone if he was able to steal another blue-chip prospect?

Salesi Moa, athlete

While there aren't any other targets on the board who could fill the role of Russell on the offensive side of the ball, there is one dude talented enough to be in the same conversation.

That's Salesi Moa.

Moa is out of Ogden, Utah. He's 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, and is ranked 50th overall in the 2026 class, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings.

Michigan has been pushing to land the elite athlete at safety. He had 40 tackles and two interceptions in 2024. He also returned both interceptions for touchdowns. Yet, he was dominant as a receiver, too, catching 58 passes for 800 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also had 820 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns as a sophomore, plus an interception.

Moa also runs 10.7 in the 100-meter dash. There aren't many athletes in the 2026 class better than him. If the Wolverines start pushing for him on the offensive side of the ball, it could help, and he would be another dynamic weapon for Bryce Underwood.

The blue-chipper could also be an elite defensive back. He was expected to announce a commitment this week, but delayed it. Utah is the favorite. Steve Wiltfong projected the Utes to get Moa on July 3rd, but if Michigan allows him to play both sides of the ball, it could be a game-changer.