The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1536962
150 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2025 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY EJ HOLLAND M ichigan's 2025 recruiting class saw a strong finish, flipping five-star Belleville (Mich.) High quarterback Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 prospect in the 2025 class, away from LSU in November and adding Den- ton (Texas) Ryan offensive lineman Ty Haywood, the nation's No. 8 offensive tackle and No. 48 overall player according to the On3 Industry Ranking, during the late signing period in February. U-M's elite additions toward the end of the cycle helped the Wolverines finish with their first top-10 recruiting class since 2022. Overall, Michigan finished with 24 signees and the sixth-ranked 2025 recruiting class nationally, per the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Michigan is off to a bit of a slow start with its 2026 recruiting class, which featured just seven verbal commitments going into summer official visits, before upping that total to 11 as of mid-June. But it's not about how you start. It's about how you finish. The Wolverines are building a reputation for closing strong under head coach Sherrone Moore and should contend for their second straight class in the top 10. Here is a position-by-position look at Michigan's needs and where the Wol- verines stand with top 2026 targets (On3 rankings are used). Quarterback Commits: 1 Need: 1 Michigan landed its 2026 quarterback this spring in Newbury Park (Calif.) High's Brady Smigiel, who picked U-M over fellow finalist South Carolina. Smigiel, the No. 17 quarter- back and No. 244 overall recruit nationally, was previously committed to Florida State but reopened his recruitment in the winter. New Michigan offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey made Smigiel a top priority and sealed the deal when the On300 prospect made a visit for the annual Maize and Blue spring game. At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, Smigiel is a tall pocket passer with a high floor. He is a safe option and should be a capable backup behind expected starter Underwood. Smigiel will likely be the only quarterback take for the Wolverines this cycle. However, Michigan is still working on elite Folsom (Ca- lif.) High prospect Ryder Lyons. Ranked as the No. 6 quarterback and No. 53 overall recruit nationally, he is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is going on an 18-month mission. Lyons will not enroll at the school of his choice until 2027. Michigan hosted him for his first visit this spring but has not locked in an official visit. BYU, Oregon and USC are consid- ered the frontrunners in this race. Running Back Commits: 0 Need: 2 Perhaps the biggest target on Michigan's recruiting board this cycle is elite Mineral (Va.) Louisa County running back Savion Hiter. The Wolverines are doing everything they can to win over the nation's No. 1 running back and No. 12 overall recruit and hosted him for an official visit on June 6. Michigan is in Hiter's final four along with Georgia, Ohio State and Tennessee. While U-M remains the perceived leader in this race, Ohio State has been gaining confidence. Ten- nessee is a true dark horse and hosted him for two visits this spring. Hiter is far and away the biggest priority at running back, but the Wolverines are looking to take two at the position this cycle and also are working on Tyrone (Ga.) Sandy Creek's Amari Latimer. The No. 19 running back and No. 175 overall recruit nationally has Michi- gan and Wisconsin at the top of his list going into official visits. Michigan running backs coach Tony Alford hit the road hard at the end of the spring 2026 RecRuiting PRioRities It's Not About How You Start, It's About How You Finish Newbury Park (Calif.) High standout Brady Smigiel, who committed to Michigan on April 26, is rated by On3 as the No. 17 quarterback and No. 244 overall prospect nationally. PHOTO BY CHAD SIMMONS/ON3