The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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154 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2025 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY ETHAN MCDOWELL M ichigan will likely as- semble the majority of its 2026 recruiting class this summer, building upon a group of 11 commits that ranks No. 26 nationally in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings through mid- June. The U-M wish list remained quite long when official visits began in June. Michigan will pursue multiple five-star prospects and playmakers at positions of need. Top-100 signal-caller Brady Smi- giel fills the quarterback spot in this class and U-M already locked down its top two tight end targets in top-100 Matt Ludwig and Mason Bonner, but there are gaps to fill at every other position. Here's a detailed breakdown of The Wolverine's assessment of U-M's 10 most wanted recruits remaining in the 2026 class. All rankings are from On3, unless otherwise noted. 1) Five-star RB Savion Hiter Savion Hiter is the slam- dunk, top overall player on Michigan's 2026 recruiting board. The Wolverines have put a mountain of resources and time into his recruit- ment and hope to land a pledge from the No. 1-ranked running back in the country later this year. Checking in at 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, Hiter is a do-it-all rusher from Mineral (Va.) Louisa Country High who ranks No. 12 nationally in the class (No. 11 in the On3 Industry Ranking). He narrowed down his recruitment to Michigan, Ohio State, Tennessee and Georgia. The Wol- verines and Volunteers look like the top contenders for the five-star prospect. 2) Five-star EDGE Carter Meadows Carter Meadows is likely the top overall defensive tar- get for the Wolverines. He rocketed up the rankings this offseason, and the Washing- ton (D.C.) Gonzaga Prep star now ranks No. 6 overall in the On300. The 6-6, 225-pounder is the No. 2 edge rusher nationally and thinks very highly of Michigan. On the surface, he looks like a perfect fit. He's a kid who really values academics and would slot into the pass-rushing role in Ann Arbor that has produced so many NFL players in recent years. South Caro- lina, Penn State and Ohio State will all host him before he makes a June 20 trip to U-M for Victors Weekend. The Wolver- ines have a solid shot to secure a commit- ment from another top-10 recruit. 3) Five-star OT Felix Ojo Felix Ojo looks like he's bound for Texas or Ohio State at this stage of his recruitment, but Michigan delivered its best pitch dur- ing a June 6 official visit. Ojo is the No. 6 recruit in the On3 Industry Ranking and slots in as the No. 3 offensive tackle nationally and the top-ranked prospect in Texas. The Wolverine has evaluated him in person on multiple occasions and firmly MOST WANTED The Top 10 Prospects On Michigan's Board Khary Adams is the nation's No. 3 cornerback and No. 30 overall recruit per On3. The 6-1, 180-pound Loyola Blakefield (Towson, Md.) standout adjusted his travel schedule to include a trip to Ann Arbor June 6 after also attending the spring game April 19. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND