The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1544920
42 THE WOLVERINE ❱ JUNE/JULY 2026 BY ETHAN MCDOWELL M ichigan surged into the top group for priority tar- gets all over the country after an action-packed stretch of spring visitors. The Wolverines' recruit- ing board looks much clearer at most positions than it did a few months ago. Let's dive into our latest at- tempt at a mock recruiting class. Recruitments can change on a dime, but here's how we see the 2027 cycle shaking out in early May, with current U-M commit- ments (7) noted by an asterisk (*). QUARTERBACK Rivals300 QB Kamden Lopati* Lopati committed to Michi- gan April 14, and the Wolverines shouldn't have to worry about him wavering on his pledge. The former Illinois commit from Salt Lake City (Utah) West High is the No. 10 quarterback and No. 115 overall prospect in the country. Three-star QB Thaddeus Thatcher Thatcher, a former Utah commit from Las Vegas Arbor View, is trending strongly toward the Wolverines after picking up an offer while on campus. He's the No. 55 quarterback in the class and has an extremely tight bond with Michigan's staff. RUNNING BACK Four-star RB Tyson Robinson Michigan surged into the lead for Rob- inson this spring. The 5-foot-9 running back from Jackson (Miss.) Brandon High is the No. 22 recruit at his position. Mi- ami is also in the mix along with Alabama and Arizona State. He took two trips to Ann Arbor this spring. By all accounts, he loved the experience and really clicked with running backs coach Tony Alford. Three-star ATH Lundon Hampton At one point earlier this year, Michigan State was the team to beat for Hampton. Michigan offered recently and now holds the momentum for the in-state running back target from Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills High. He visited twice in April, and the Wolverines sit in a very strong spot for the No. 19 recruit in the state. WIDE RECEIVER Top 100 WR Quentin Burrell Burrell is trending strongly toward Michigan after a wave of Rivals predic- tions for the talented pass catcher. The Wolverines, Notre Dame, Missouri and Arizona State are all finalists for the No. 83 recruit and No. 15 receiver out of Chi- cago Mount Carmel. Following an OV with ASU, the Sun Devils look like U-M's strongest competition. Four-star WR Damani Warren Michigan also moved into the top group for Warren this spring during a visit that left a really solid impression on the 6-foot-4 receiver. He's high school team- mates and close friends with Thatcher. They live together. If Michigan lands his quarterback, the Wolverines look like the likely landing spot for the No. 382 recruit in the class. Three-star WR Tre Britton III Missouri and Michigan are tied at the top for the in-state target out of Belleville High, but we're optimistic Michigan can pull ahead this summer. Miami also remains in consideration. Micah Simon and the rest of the staff started to really prioritize him as soon as they arrived on campus. He's a former high school team- mate of U-M quarterback Bryce Underwood. TIGHT END Rivals300 TE Colt Lumpris The 6-foot-7 Lumpris re- mains committed to Alabama, but Michigan, Kentucky and Penn State are all trying to flip the nation's No. 11 tight end from Lawrenceville Township (N.J.) Lawrenceville School. His spring visit in Ann Arbor went really well. Four-star TE Anthony Cartwright III Michigan needs to make up ground on Oregon, but Cartwright has always been high on Michigan and visits the Wol- verines frequently. He recently locked in a June 12 official visit. This looks like a battle between Michigan, the Ducks and Miami for the No. 16 tight end in the country out of Detroit Country Day. OFFENSIVE TACKLE Rivals300 OT Jakari Lipsey* Lipsey planned on taking official visits to LSU, UCLA and Tennessee, but Mich- igan pushed hard to wrap up the Ka- lamazoo (Mich.) Loy Norrix High star's recruitment this spring. The Wolverines led his recruitment for months. Rivals considers him the No. 129 recruit and No. 11 tackle in the country. Three-star OT Tye Kennedy Kennedy recently picked up an offer from Michigan and immediately locked ❱ FOOTBALL RECRUITING The Wolverine's Projections For Michigan's 2027 Recruiting Class Orlando (Fla.) Lake Nona standout Charles Woodson Jr. is a top Michigan target at safety and a legacy recruit. His father, Charles Sr., won the Heisman Trophy and led the Wolverines to the 1997 national championship. PHOTO BY ETHAN MCDOWELL