The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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AUGUST 2026 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 43 ❱ MICHIGAN RECRUITING Kellan Hall is the No. 1 defensive lineman in the country, and he holds offers from every major college football program. He's a 6-foot-5, 275-pound five-star wrecking ball who ranks No. 3 in the 2028 class, and Michigan is trying to work its way into contention for his commitment. The Louisville (Ky.) Christian Academy standout visited the Wolver- ines a couple of years ago and had a solid foundation of a connection to the previous staff because his father played with Lou Esposito at Memphis. His relationship with U-M really took off after June 15. "It's been good," Hall said. "Coach [Larry] Black has been reaching out a lot and keeping in touch. He's on vacation right now, but he still keeps in touch every day. He just tells me they have a plan for me and that he really likes me, but he definitely thinks there are things I can clean up, and that's something I really respect. A lot of people will praise you, but to hear that there's something I can clean up, and he knows he can help me on that, and he's proven to do it is just something special." Hall called June 15 — the official start of the 2028 cycle — a bless- ing as coaches from across the country began reaching out to him directly. He said Michigan, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Ken- tucky, Louisville, Georgia, Oklahoma and Oregon are just a handful of the programs showing a lot of love these days. "It was a huge day, and a lot came with it," Hall said. "A lot of re- sponsibilities are going to come with a lot of phone calls and texting, but it's just good to figure out who wants me, who doesn't, and just see the new relationships that are being built and the ones that may be fading away." The NFL is Hall's ultimate goal, so he wants to find a system where he can contribute early and also develop for the next level. Academ- ics and life after football are also important to the five-star prospect. Michigan's bond with Hall remains in its early stages, but he's still interested in the program. They're communicating frequently, and the elite lineman wants to give the Wolverines' new staff a shot. His last trip to campus was a couple of years ago, when Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant were dominating in the Maize and Blue. He watched a game and left impressed by Michigan Stadium's atmosphere. "You hear about The Big House, but just seeing it in person, just seeing the fans and energy that they come up with, 100,000-plus deep every time, and they're going to show up and show out every time," Hall said. Hall said he might make it back to Ann Arbor in the fall, and he's eyeing the Penn State matchup for that return trip. If he does visit on game day, Black wants to learn more about Michigan's plan for him and his fit within the defense. The top-five prospect plans on narrowing down his top schools list in August. Then, he will visit most of those programs in the fall. Michigan will keep working to make the cut. "Just keep staying consistent," Hall said. "Consistency is key." — Ethan McDowell Michigan landed Lincoln Mageo's commitment on July 11, securing four-star commit No. 14 in the 2027 class. His announcement was the final scheduled decision of the sum- mer. If Michigan adds anyone else to the class before the fall, it will have to be a surprise. Keep an eye on quarterback recruiting for the 2028 cycle as well. Things move quickly there this time of year. Here's a look at the program's next five commitment candidates in both classes. Top 100 EDGE Major Stokes Major Stokes, the No. 74 recruit in the 2028 class out of Orem (Utah) High, will likely wait until later this year at the earliest to make his decision. Michigan sits in a great spot going into the fall. He took two trips to Ann Arbor this year, including a multi-day visit during Victors Weekend. Stokes is a top priority for the Wolverines moving forward, and we expect them to keep up a full-court press over the next six months. Miami and USC are also schools to watch, but Michigan looks like the early team to beat. Top 100 QB Kaden Craft Michigan sits solidly in the top group for Kaden Craft, and the Wol- verines clearly communicated that he's the program's top target at quarterback for the 2028 class during his summer trip to campus. He was the only rising junior signal-caller to visit in June. He's definitely interested in U-M — and the program left a great impression on the No. 98 recruit during his first visit — but SEC schools like Tennessee or LSU could be tough to beat for the eighth-ranked quarterback from Mooresville (N.C.) Lake Norman High. Craft hopes to decide before his season kicks off. Top 100 QB Lukas Prock Lukas Prock, the No. 68 recruit in the country and No. 7 signal- caller in his class, included Michigan in his top five alongside Notre Dame, Indiana, Florida and Ohio State. He recently told Rivals that the Buckeyes, Hoosiers and Fighting Irish were setting the pace in his recruitment. So, the Wolverines have some work to do here. A summer commitment from the Princeton (N.J.) Hun School standout remains a possibility. If he extends his decision into the fall and takes game-day visits, that would be good news for Michigan. Three-star LB Cade Haug Michigan offered Cade Haug shortly after he decommitted from Texas. Texas Tech, Houston and SMU are working to keep the Katy (Texas) High prospect close to home. He's more familiar with those programs, and there's a chance he commits this summer. The Wolverines' offer caught his attention, though, and he wants to visit in the fall. If he makes it to the season without a commitment, a trip to Ann Arbor could change the course of his recruitment. Michigan checks a lot of boxes for him. Three-star DB Marquis Ray Similar to Charles Woodson Jr. over the past year, Marquis Ray will be a fixture on this list until he makes a decision. The defensive back who was recently offered transferred to Saline (Mich.) High. He has been to campus plenty of times throughout his life, and the legacy recruit is building a great connection with the coaching staff. Michigan offered him after he stood out at camp this summer. Ten- nessee, Kentucky and others have also offered, but it's tough to see him playing for anyone other than the Wolverines. — Ethan McDowell Five-Star, Top-Ranked DL Kellan Hall Discusses New Bond With Michigan Five Michigan Commitment Candidates