The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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50 THE WOLVERINE ❱ APRIL 2026 ❱ MICHIGAN RECRUITING "He's settling in," Kinsler said. "It's something that has fit what he was look- ing for in a transition of coaches. That process, that month or so, it just was a very difficult time as far as finding out, 'OK, who's the coach,' what the thought process is as far as what they're going to be looking for, things of that nature. "But he stuck through that time, and now he's really gearing up and hopefully having a great spring to potentially get on the field early." Now, Michigan's new staff is pursu- ing Olubobola, Rivals No. 28 recruit and No. 5 offensive tackle in the nation. The 6-foot-7 tackle from St. Peter's Prep in New Jersey visited the Wolverines last fall for the Ohio State game and spoke highly of that experience. Michigan visited him twice in January. Safeties coach and New Jersey native Ty- ler Stockton met with him during one of those trips, followed by a conversation with offensive line coach Jim Harding. Olubobola recently locked in an April 2 spring practice visit. "It seems as though he's definitely the No. 1 lineman on their board, if not the No. 1 offensive recruit in the class as far as what Michigan's perspective is," Kinsler said. "It's always great to be wanted." Kinsler wants to dive into the minutia around the new era of Wolverine foot- ball when he returns to Ann Arbor. He knew the old staff well, so this next trip will be about building new connections in the building. Kinsler enjoyed his previ- ous visits with Michigan and just needs to see what the relationship looks like now. His connection is off to a solid start. Kin- sler has already spoken with Harding and general manager Dave Peloquin. "So far, so good," Kinsler said. "We're in the early stages as far as developing a relationship, but from my understand- ing from afar of Coach Whittingham and things of that nature, it definitely seems to be a top-notch program that I definitely look forward to building a strong relation- ship with." He encourages his clients to evaluate each program's head coach. Is he a leader of men? The strength program is also very important in Kinsler's eyes. He said the position coach is "of course" a key part of the decision-making process as well. There are other factors at play, but those three are the most important in Kinsler's opinion. From his perspective, he thinks Michigan will fit at least one of those criteria for Olubobola. "Coach has been around a long time, and I definitely feel that he would check that box," Kinsler said. "But just contin- ued development with the position coach and strength coach, those are things that just being able to sit down and talk about are going to really make a difference." U-M PUSHING FOR ELITE IRISH COMMIT Michigan offered Notre Dame com- U-M offensive line commit Louis Esposito reaffirmed his commitment to the Wolverines during the coaching change and after his father, Lou, left the staff for the NFL. Still, he's being pursued by Penn State and USC. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS