Michigan Football Recruiting: Are Wolverines a Top NIL Program Now?

Over the past few months, Michigan football has done a complete 180 with its NIL approach. The Wolverines went from unwilling to offer any guaranteed money to reportedly offering quarterback Bryce Underwood upwards of 10 million dollars. And don't get it twisted, Michigan has opened up the checkbook for other recruits as well.

Elite cornerback Shamari Earls, who flipped to Michigan from Georgia, was almost surely offered a significant NIL deal. He's an elite talent at a high cost position. The same can be said for offensive lineman Andrew Babalola, although his recruitment was more centered around academics. The Wolverines have also been rumored to be willing to pay for top 100 cornerback Graceson Littleton.

This begs the question: is Michigan football an elite NIL school? They obviously have the resources to be one, with plenty of rich alumni. They've explicitly gotten into a bidding war with LSU, and have by all accounts outbid the Tigers. Given the number of top prospects the Wolverines have been in the running for, it certainly appears that Michigan is becoming a serious NIL player.

The real test, however, will be this years transfer portal and the 2026 recruiting class. Michigan is going to attack the portal hard, with plenty of positions of need heading into next season. I would expect them to come away with one of the best portal classes in the nation.

Likewise, the 2026 recruiting class has immense potential. With an elite quarterback already secured in Brady Hart, the Wolverines should be able to bring in an elite class. The Wolverines are already at the top of the list for many elite 2026 prospects. If Michigan's NIL continues to grow, the 2026 class should be top five in the country.

Until the Wolverines get back to their winning ways, I think we're going to see desperation spending. The university is finally realizing that they need to spend money to have sustainable success. We'll see if they're willing to follow through long term on that. Go blue!