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Michigan closing in on 5-star 'playmaker' for Bryce Underwood

Michigan football needs a dude at wide receiver and it feels like the Wolverines are closing in on one.
ByChris Peterson|
Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) throws at warm up before the spring game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) throws at warm up before the spring game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 19, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Michigan football has been on a roll in the 2026 recruiting class, landing blue-chip commitments left and right.

However, there are still some big fish out there, and none is bigger than five-star wide receiver Calvin Russell.

Both 247 Sports and On3 rate the 6-foot-5, 195-pound wideout from Miami as a five-star receiver. He's ranked 47th overall, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings, but regardless of the ranking, he'd probably be the best receiver get for U-M since Nico Collins.

After taking two visits to Michigan football during the spring and summer, including an official visit during Victors Weekend, the Wolverines appear to have seized momentum in his recruitment. A basketball offer by Dusty May didn't hurt.

Syracuse gained real traction because it looked like the best option for Russell to play football and basketball. Now, Michigan has emerged. Russell cut his list down to four teams on Wednesday, saying he will choose between Michigan, Syracuse, Florida State, and Oregon on Saturday.

LSU and Miami were the top programs Michigan football fans were most worried about for obvious reasons. Syracuse is another and was the biggest concern of the coaching staff, according to Sam Webb of the Michigan Insider.

That tells you how serious Russell is about the basketball side of things. He did average over 20 points per game, so he's a legitimate prospect. There is one expert projection in favor of Michigan, but it seems most have wanted to hold off, which is understandable.

Michigan might lead now, but that could change by Saturday. Russell would be a massive get, though, as big as any commitent in the 2026 class. Bryce Underwood is going to be a superstar, but he needs help.

The Wolverines have been trying to land a difference-maker at receiver and Russell fits the mold. Michigan just needs to close this thing out.

"I’m a playmaker, and they need playmakers," Russell told EJ Holland of The Wolverine. "Bryce Underwood wants to play with a playmaker."

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