Four-star defensive back Davon Benjamin was a surprise addition to the official visitors hosted this weekend by the Michigan football program.
Benjamin, a 6-foot, 170-pound defensive back who could play cornerback or safety, was in Ann Arbor for his official visit, and despite being viewed by some recruiting experts as an Oregon lean, the No. 36 overall recruit in the 2026 class, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings, was impressed by the Wolverines.
“Michigan stood out with how serious they are about player development. They’re all about building you up on & off the field, & you can tell they’ve got a plan to help you succeed long term," he said to Hayes Fawcett of On3.com.
Elite defensive back impressed by Michigan football visit
Michigan offered Benjamin over a year ago. Texas, Ohio State, Miami, and Oregon are all listed as "warm" on his 247 Sports recruiting profile, along with the Wolverines.
Going into the weekend, it felt like Michigan landing his commitment was going to be a long shot. But all it takes is one visit to change a recruitment. It's possible that Michigan has done that, although it still feels like Oregon will be tough to beat.
Michigan could use another defensive back in the 2026 class, and there is no shortage of options, Benjamin included, especially since four-star cornerback Brody Jennings is looking around and sounds like he could be flipping his commitment to the Hurricanes.
Jennings also has some other official visits set with Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, all heavy hitters in college football recruiting, and in the NIL space.
Michigan's NIL prowess will be tested in the coming weeks, but the fact that Benjamin visited and is showing a strong interest could be a sign that things have already started to turn the corner.