The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1542609
52 THE WOLVERINE ❱ FEBRUARY 2026 M ichigan has lost three more sign- ees from its 2026 recruiting class, bringing the total to five since the firing of disgraced former head coach Sherrone Moore Dec. 10. Rivals300 tight end Matt Ludwig (Texas Tech) and three-star offensive linemen Bear McWhorter (Auburn) were the first two prospects to opt out. Now, they've been joined by Rivals300 wide receiver Brady Marchese, four-star de- fensive back Andre Clarke and three- star long snapper Colton Dermer. Ranked as the No. 101 prospect in the country out of Cartersville (Ga.) High, Marchese is the highest ranked recruit to ask for a release from his letter of intent. The longtime Georgia pledge flipped from his in-state program to the Wol- verines Dec. 4 in a surprise signing day commitment. However, Michigan parted ways with wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy, which led to Marchese exploring other options. He has now signed with Auburn. Clarke's decision to back out of his letter of intent was also directly tied to the termination of his position coach. Michigan did not retain secondary coach LaMar Morgan, and Clarke asked for his release soon after. Ranked as the No. 229 overall recruit nationally out of Richmond (Va.) Her- mitage, Clarke is listed as a safety by Rivals but was recruited to play corner- back. He signed with Kentucky. Dermer, who checks in as the No. 10 long snapper nationally, originally picked Michigan over Alabama in June. However, Dermer's primary recruiter, JB Brown, was fired shortly after Na- tional Signing Day last month. Dermer has now signed with Geor- gia. Michigan is down to 22 signees in its 2026 recruiting class, which still ranks No. 12 nationally, per the Rivals Indus- try team recruiting rankings headed into the traditional National Signing Day on Feb. 4. — EJ Holland BYU QB COMMIT RYDER LYONS STILL AN OPTION FOR MICHIGAN Top 100 Folsom (Calif.) High quarter- back Ryder Lyons gave BYU a commit- ment in June. Lyons has remained solid with the Cougars throughout the process and is still happy with his decision. "Everything lined up for it to be the right choice for me," he said. "We can all tell that the football program is on the rise. They won 12 games this year. Coach [Kalani] Sitake just turned down Penn State. It looks like he's going to be there a while. Being a part of what they are building is special to me." Lyons is now set to embark on a one- year mission as part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A lot can change in the college foot- ball world over 12 months, and Lyons was candid when asked if Michigan could be an option upon his return. "I'm definitely committed to BYU, but you never know what can happen," he said. "You just have to be prepared. ❱ MICHIGAN RECRUITING Three More U-M Signees Released From Letters Of Intent Matt Ludwig, the nation's No. 200 player and No. 9 tight end, is one of five signees to decommit from Michigan after the coaching change. He is now headed to Texas Tech. PHOTO BY ETHAN MCDOWELL