Michigan Football Recruiting: Why the 2026 Class Could be Special

With the 2024 football season quickly approaching, it's almost time to shift our focus away from the 2025 recruiting class and toward the 2026 class. That feels strange to say since it feels like the 2025 cycle just started, but that's because of all the offseason turmoil that Michigan football went through.

Sherrone Moore and the new staff had to start from scratch, essentially, and therefore got a very late start on the 2025 class. That's why it's all the more impressive how well Michigan has done thus far with the 2025 class. Sherrone Moore is doing a great job of filling his roster with elite talent.

But the real test for Coach Moore and the rest of the staff will be the 2026 class. The first full recruiting cycle of the new regime. And thus far, things are extremely optimistic. In fact, it's not a stretch at all to say it could be a top five class or higher. I'd argue it should be a top five class or higher.

Michigan football already has its leader for the 2026 class

The number one reason for optimism goes by the name of Brady Hart. The elite 2026 quarterback committed to the Wolverines in June and has been a vocal leader on the recruiting trail. His leadership resembles JJ McCarthy's back in the 2021 recruiting class. McCarthy committed early and was instrumental in giving Michigan football the #13 class in the country despite coming off of a 2-4 season.

Only now Hart is recruiting for the reigning national champions and 3x reigning Big Ten champions. Hart is like McCarthy but recruiting for a program on top of the world rather than near the bottom. And his impact has already been felt in a big way.

Michigan football is off to a hot start with many elite recruits in 2026. The Wolverines just hosted 30+ 2026 recruits for its BBQ at the Big House event, including Hart. Those recruits were able to meet with the staff and current Michigan commits. Many recruits were very impressed with quarterback Brady Hart, who was extremely vocal during the weekend and even practiced passing to some.

While the 2026 class is in the early stages, Michigan has a very positive outlook. The Wolverines already have the (in my opinion) most important factor of a top class: an elite quarterback willing to recruit others.

The best want to play with the best, and having a guy like Brady Hart, who consistently wins awards at competitions and should finish as a five star recruit, is a huge draw to Michigan. Hart plays some of the best competition in the country in Florida and will be working extremely hard to bring elite talent to Ann Arbor. As long as the Wolverines perform well on the field, things should continue to improve on the recruiting trail. Go blue!