With the 2025 recruiting class officially coming to an end, it's time to fully shift our focus to the 2026 class. And let me just say this class could be special. Michigan football took off the training wheels towards the end of the 2025 class and began to use NIL. That was a complete 180 that transformed Michigan's class from average to the best in nearly 10 years. And while 2026 might not have a Bryce Underwood caliber talent, it's very possible (and some might say likely) that Michigan has more success in its 2026 class.
The 2025 class finished the year ranked #6 in the nation. 2026 could be even better. With an unbeatable NIL backing when it wants, Michigan football is a true contender for any recruit it wants. If the Wolverines want a top-five class, it has to start at the top. So without further ado, let's look at three five stars to know in the 2026 class.
Jackson Cantwell (OL)
This has the potential to be a very interesting recruitment. Michigan football recently made Cantwell's top six, along with Georgia, Miami, Missouri, Oregon, and Ohio State. Missouri, the home school, seems to be the early favorite as he has visited them the most. This one is just beginning though.
Cantwell wants to commit before his senior season, meaning he'll probably commit over the Summer. While he doesn't have any official visits planned yet, he'll likely take trips to his six finalists over the Spring/Summer. That's when the checkbooks are going to come out.
As the #1 recruit, Cantwell is going to receive a huge NIL deal. That's where Michigan, if it wants, can win him over. We know that Michigan is phenomenal at building relationships with kids and their parents. And obviously offensive line production has been amazing recently. Combine that with an unbeatable NIL offer and Michigan football could find itself landing the #1 recruit in back-to-back years.
Obviously, the Wolverines have some stout competition here. But if they go all in, it's tough to envision them being beat out. The question then becomes how much is Michigan willing to spend on an offensive lineman after landing possibly the best offensive line class in the country in 2025? If the top brass decides they'd rather invest that money into other, less deep positions, Michigan could fade here. This is definitely one to watch.