Clemson stole momentum away from Michigan for top OL targets

Michigan football was in a great spot for a couple of top O-line targets in the 2026 class until their official visits to Clemson over the weekend.
The Clemson Tigers football annual Orange and White Spring game was held on April 5, 2025, at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina.. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney during Tiger Walk before the game in Memorial Stadium at Clemson, Saturday, November 30, 2024.
The Clemson Tigers football annual Orange and White Spring game was held on April 5, 2025, at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina.. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney during Tiger Walk before the game in Memorial Stadium at Clemson, Saturday, November 30, 2024. | ALEX HICKS / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Things can change in a heartbeat on the recruiting trail, and in the recruitment of two of Michigan football's top offensive line targets in 2026, things changed significantly over the past weekend.

The Wolverines were trending toward a commitment with four-star offensive lineman Leo Delaney out of Providence Day in Charlotte, North Carolina. That's the same school that Jadyn Davis attended.

Michigan was the crystal ball leader, according to 247 Sports, but after Delaney took an official visit to Clemson over the weekend, the Tigers have surged into the lead.

Chad Simmons of On3.com wrote earlier this week that things had "shifted toward Clemson' after Michigan football was viewed as the favorite for Delaney, who is ranked No. 130 overall, according to the On3 Industry rankings. He's 6-foot-5, 275 pounds, and the On3 Recruiting Prediction now gives the Tigers a 93-percent chance to land his commitment.

If Delaney makes his scheduled official visit to Michigan, there is a still a chance for the Wolverines to turn things around, but there isn't a guarantee that visit happens ahead of a July commitment announcement.

Another top OL target trending to Clemson, too

Michigan football was recently named a finalist by four-star offensive tackle Carter Scruggs. The Wolverines are expected to get an official visit later this month, but according to Simmons, Scruggs nearly committed to Clemson.

Like in the recruitment of Delaney, it feels like the Tigers have taken the lead with Scruggs. The 6-foot-5, 290-pound offensive tackle is ranked No. 154 overall, according to the On3 Industry rankings.

Clemson has a 77 percent chance to win his commitment, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction machine. Michigan's visit is supposed to be this weekend. We'll see if Scruggs makes it and if the Wolverines can turn momentum back in their favor.