The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1543210
MARCH 2026 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 25 2026 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE pros Aidan Hutchinson and Brandon Gra- ham come to mind — and he should add to that tradition, Wiltfong said. "You talk about Michigan and the suc- cess they've had developing some of the best defensive linemen in football in the last decade or so. … You look at Carter Meadows and the clay you have to mold there, and you see someone who can be one of the top five picks in the NFL Draft," the respected analyst praised. "He's an explosive, high-upside pass rusher that is also as intangibly sound as any recruit in the 2026 class. "Carter is someone that's going to come in, buy in to the culture, work hard, and get the most out of his potential. If he stays healthy, Michigan's getting a special player." Though they didn't track his stats closely at Gonzaga, Meadows was a multi-sack per year guy who also ex- celled on the basketball court as an all- conference honorable mention forward for his junior season. He was a key part of a 29-5 team in 2024-25 that reached the DSCAA (District of Columbia State Athletic Association) Class AA champi- onship in a powerful league. Though he won't arrive on campus until this summer, some close to the Michigan program have expressed hope he can add some good weight and — at the very least — provide some situational pass-rush help the Wolverines were lacking a year ago. "Certainly, that's the trait that sep- arates you as an edge," Wiltfong said. "He's someone who can be a difference maker in making plays behind the line of scrimmage for years to come." How soon is yet to be determined. Meadows needs to develop more pass rush moves and continue to add strength, but new defensive ends coach Lewis Powell is considered one of the best in the business. Six different players achieved All-Amer- ica honors under his tutelage, including three first-team or consensus honorees in Jonah Elliss, Bradlee Anae and John Henry Daley, who is now at Michigan, too. Meadows could be another on that list down the road, Wiltfong insisted. "He's still developing, and that's what's exciting," he said. "And he's a multi-sport kid. His change of direction ability at the point of attack, the frame he has — he's going to be able to pack more size and strength on. With that, he'll also become more athletic. He plays the game the right way and has a great motor and strong, big hands." In short, and as Wiltfong has reported for the last few years, Meadows has the natural tools to develop into a danger- ous pass rusher down the line. His length already pairs with good play strength that make him an effective edge setter — that will improve with strength, too — and he also shows his athleticism in his ability to track down plays in pursuit. More than anything, he's the right fit for what the program stands for. "This is a dude that was a big get be- cause he chose Michigan for the right reasons off the field," Wiltfong said. "Those are some of the guys that end up being some of the most successful people in a winged helmet." It wouldn't surprise — at all — if that happened sooner in his career than later. ❑ CARTER MEADOWS EDGE 6-6 • 235 GONZAGA COLLEGE HIGH (D.C.) BETHESDA, MD. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE Industry ✪✪✪✪✪ + 11 3 1 ✪✪✪✪✪ 16 5 1 ✪✪✪✪✪ 11 4 1 ✪✪✪✪✪ 23 4 1 STATISTICS Year Tackles TFL Sacks FF FR 2025 62 N/A 7 2 1 2024 33 5 2 1 — 2023 23 3 2 1 — 2022 9 3 1 — — HONORS • Earned a five-star-plus rating in the Rivals In- dustry Ranking, indicating his consensus five-star status across the three major recruiting services. • Rated a PrepStar Top 300 All-American. • 2024 Washington Post All-Met honorable men- tion and 2025 first-team selection. • First-team WCAC All-Conference selection in 2025. RECRUITMENT • Pledged to Michigan June 29, 2025. • Picked U-M over notable offers from Penn State, Ohio State, South Carolina and North Caro- lina. • Recruited by U-M defensive line coach Lou Esposito. DID YOU KNOW? • Helped lead Gonzaga football to a 7-5 record and a berth in the WCAC championship game in 2025. • Also lettered in basketball and earned All- WCAC honorable mention as a junior; part of a 29-5 team in 2024-25 that reached the DSCAA Class AA championship game. • Played in the Nike EYBL Peach Jam showcase basketball tournament in the summer of 2025, averaging 9.0 points and 9.6 rebounds. • High school teammates with U-M sophomore defensive back Kainoa Winston. • Son of Mike and Cheri Meadows. • Born Nov. 19, 2007. THEY SAID IT Rivals Director Of Scouting And Rankings Charles Power: "Rangy edge prospect with a rare combination of frame and movement skills. One of the most physically impressive prospects in the 2026 cycle. Measured in at around 6-foot-6, 225 pounds as a junior. Has vines for arms that measure around 35 inches to go with large hands. Could easily be a 280-pounder before it's all said and done. Pairs the great frame with impressive functional athleticism A fluid, flexible athlete who has excellent bend. Has the natural tools to de- velop into a dangerous pass rusher down the line." 2026 PROJECTION Meadows has top-10 NFL Draft pick potential. He took a significant leap as a senior as he started to absolutely dominate very strong prep competi- tion in Washington, D.C. If he makes another jump before he arrives on campus this summer, he could be an immediate contributor as a freshman even though he did not enroll in January. According to Rivals vice president of recruiting Steve Wiltfong: "You look at Carter Meadows and the clay you have to mold there, and you see someone who can be one of the top five picks in the NFL Draft." PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND