Michigan football got some mixed results on the recruiting trail on Wednesday, landing the commitment of four-star cornerback Monsanna Torbert over Ohio State, but also missing out on the the commitment of five-star cornerback Joshua Dobson.
Torbert isn't a five-star recruit. If he were a little taller, he might be, but he's ranked in the top 100 overall, according to Rivals in the 2027 class. Michigan and Ohio State battled for his commitment before the Wolverines won out in the end. He's 5-foot-10.5, but also plays quarterback. He had over 2,000 total yards last season, plus 40 tackles and three interceptions on defense.
Kyle Whittingham was able to get his elite cornerback in the 2027 class, but Michigan isn't satisfied. The Wolverines are expected to keep recruiting Dobson, who is openly leaving the door open for a flip.
“It came down to Michigan & South Carolina….it’s not over until I sign that dotted line”👀 https://t.co/kUuGxbuuUv
— Double BB🌟 (@BBsBigHouse1) July 2, 2026
“It came down to Michigan & South Carolina….it’s not over until I sign that dotted line," Dobson said after his commitment on Wednesday.
5-star flip on the table for Michigan football
Brice Marich of The Michigan Insider posted that he didn't expect Michigan to stop recruiting Dobson, so maybe there is still a chance that Kyle Whittingham's first class has a five-star signee.
Landing Torbert out of Cincinnati was massive. That word is probably overused when talking about recruits, but Ohio State wanted Torbert, recently hosted him for a visit, was projected to land him, then lost him to Michigan football.
It's only one recruitment; however, we haven't seen Michigan do that often in the last two decades. Torbert called himself the "Villain." That's exactly the attitude Wolverine fans should want him to have.
Yet, with Ohio State landing Jett Harrison on Wednesday, it's hard to celebrate too much. It also reinforces how badly Michigan football could use another elite corner like Dobson. The tandem of Dobson and Torbert could certainly offset some of the Buckeyes' wide receiver talent, like Will Johnson offset Marvin Harrison Jr.
Jyaire Hill will need to be up to that task against Jeremiah Smith if Michigan is going to have any chance of winning a third straight game in the Shoe.
As far as Dobson, he already seems sold on Whittingham. Shane Beamer also isn't on a super firm footing. He's had losing seasons in two of the past three years. Beamer sure can recruit, but if Michigan is a playoff team, or at least a nine-win team or so, that could make Dobson rethink things.
Either way, Dobson's recruitment isn't over, according to his own words.
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