The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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52 THE WOLVERINE ❱ JANUARY 2026 BY ETHAN MCDOWELL M ichigan wrapped up its 2026 re- cruiting class Dec. 4 and will now fully turn its attention to the next cycle. This is a big year for wide receiver re- cruiting in particular. The Wolverines are a top contender for some of the top pass catchers in the Midwest, including a blue-chip prospect in their backyard. Three-star offensive lineman Louis Esposito jumpstarted the class in June with his commitment. Tristan Dare, also a three-star offensive lineman, joined him soon after. Top-100 quarter- back Peter Bourque was the first four- star pledge of the cycle, followed by Ri- vals300 edge rusher Recarder Kitchen. With four commits already in the class, let's take a look at the 10 pros- pects, in no particular order, that The Wolverine believes U-M most wants to land over the next 12 months. Editor's note: This list was prepared prior to Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore's termination on Dec. 10. FIVE-STAR WR MONSHUN SALES The Wolverines held the momen- tum in Monshun Sales' recruitment this spring when he stopped by cam- pus for three visits. He still really likes the school and has a strong connec- tion to the program in Donaven Mc- Culley, a fellow Indianapolis Lawrence North standout, but momentum around Michigan has cooled significantly. Sales spent half a day in Ann Arbor for the Washington game this fall but did not make it back for the Ohio State visit like he originally planned. The 6-5, 201-pound receiver is the No. 2 wide receiver and No. 8 overall recruit in the country. Ohio State and Alabama seem like the schools to watch with him, with U-M sitting in a second tier with programs like Indiana, Notre Dame and Miami. TOP-100 WR DAKOTA GUERRANT Dakota Guerrant has been an absolute top target for years at this point. He's the top-ranked recruit in Michigan out of Harper Woods High and the No. 54 overall recruit nationally. The versatile 6-1.5, 200-pound pass catcher put together a huge junior sea- son that just reinforced his status as an elite recruit. Guerrant visited for two game days this fall and has been on campus countless times. Oregon seems to hold the buzz in his recruitment these days. Ohio State looms as a contender as well, but the finish line in his recruitment remains a ways away. The Wolverines will be a top contender until the end. He's close with Bryce Un- derwood, and his parents love U-M. TOP-100 WR QUENTIN BURRELL Quentin Burrell holds offers from Penn State, Ohio State and Alabama, but his recruitment might come down to Notre Dame and Michigan. Both schools have hosted him several times. Burrell, the No. 1 prospect in Illinois and No. 41 overall recruit in the country out of Chicago Mount Carmel, doesn't plan on rushing into any decisions after emerging as an elite prospect in Janu- ary. Michigan was his first offer, and his sister plays soccer for the Wolverines so he spends a ton of time on campus. Burrell will be around U-M a lot in the next six months, giving the program plenty of opportunities to build mo- mentum in his recruitment. TOP-100 EDGE MYLES SMITH Myles Smith made one of the more impressive rankings leaps this fall af- ter an eye-popping junior season with Farmington (Mich.) High that showed off his sky-high potential. He's now the No. 8 edge rusher and No. 50 overall recruit nationally at 6-5, 215 pounds. His recruitment is just beginning, but the Wolverines sit in a strong spot early after offering in November and hosting him for multiple game days this fall. He also visited Indiana, Purdue and Iowa State recently. ❱ MICHIGAN RECRUITING NOTEBOOK The Wolverines' 10 Most Wanted 2027 Targets The Wolverines are in hot pursuit of top-100 wide receiver Dakota Guerrant, the No. 1 recruit in the state of Michigan in the 2027 cycle. PHOTO BY ETHAN MCDOWELL