The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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AUGUST 2026 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 59 ❱ COMMIT PROFILE BY ETHAN MCDOWELL A round this time last year, Lincoln Mageo began seriously considering Michigan as a contender in his expanding recruitment. The Wolverines' previous staff offered the four-star offensive line- man early and did a great job of building a relationship with him. Michigan went through its coaching change later that year, but the new faces in the building already had a strong con- nection to Mageo as well. Utah was another one of his contenders, and he thought super highly of offensive line coach Jim Harding. T h e y c o n n e c te d early this year and, after a series of con- versations and visits, Mageo committed to the Wolverines on July 11. Those initial phone calls with Harding set the stage for the blue- chip prospect's com- mitment. "He was harping on his history of coaching, and he was really going in-depth on his plan for me and developing me," Mageo said. "And he was also showing me how the alumni of Michigan take care of each other." A multi-day spring trip to Ann Arbor and an in-home visit in Oceanside, Calif., helped Mageo's bond with the Wolverines grow quite strong. His recruitment came down to Michigan, Utah and Washington. He silently committed to U-M about a week after his June 5 official visit before making the news public over the week- end. "It feels amazing to get it off my chest," Mageo told The Wolverine after his an- nouncement. "I've been thinking about this for a while, and I'm glad everyone knows now." Mageo had planned to pick Michigan for weeks, and he appreciated the fans' support and the opportunity to connect with his fellow commits once he publicly joined the class. He explained how the Wolverines stood out from his crowded offer list, which also included Ohio State and Texas. "I really do think that Michigan can set me up for life outside of football because I know that football won't last forever," Mageo said. "And I really do think that, football-wise, Coach Harding is one of the best in the country at developing of- fensive linemen. His history in coaching shows that, and I just felt like I couldn't pass up being coached by him." The most recent Wo lve r i n e co m m i t can't wait to return to Ann Arbor and get to work as an early en- rollee. He said Harding likes his versatility at 6-3.5, 285 pounds and views him as someone who could play any position on the line. Mageo was Michi- gan's main target to round out the offen- sive line class. After a strong official visit, the blue-chip lineman called Harding to com- mit. "He was at dinner with his family, and you could tell how ex- cited he was," Mageo said. "It was pretty cool to see that ex- citement come out of him. He's not really a showing emotions type of guy, but it was cool to see how he reacted there." After spending some time in Ann Ar- bor, his connections to the program ex- tend beyond the coaching staff. He's close with Wolverine offensive linemen Malakai Lee and Houston Kaahaaina-Torres— his hosts during his official visit. "Those are my guys," Mageo said. "I love those guys." He's also building a bond with his fel- low offensive line commits. Jakari Lipsey, Sidney Rouleau, Louis Esposito and Ma- geo are in a group chat together. Mageo said his future teammates are "hilarious," and he thinks they can accomplish some- thing special with the Wolverines. "We have the potential to be Joe Moore [O-line award] contenders in the future," Mageo said. "I really think that we have an amazing group of offensive linemen com- ing in. I'm excited to see what we can do." Mageo has about five months left in California before he moves to Michi- gan. During his junior season, he wants to showcase his aggressiveness more on tape and "drive people into the dirt." He also has CIF state title aspirations with Oceanside High. On the recruiting front, Mageo doesn't plan on taking any more visits. He's locked in with Michigan and focused on doing everything he can to grow as a player. "I just love to get better all the time," Mageo said. "I put so much work into this game. I've been working since I was like 5 years old to be great. I'll do anything just to be like the best version of myself that I can be." ❑ IOL Lincoln Mageo Commits On Strength Of U-M's Total Package PLAYER EVALUATION STRENGTHS: I like Lincoln Mageo a lot. He's a guard-tackle who projects as a guard in college, but he's got tackle feet for sure. Moves extremely well. Has played both left and right tackle. Can handle the speed rushers, gets to the second level really easily, quick out of his stance. If you were talking about a defensive lineman, you'd call it "get off." Same thing. He gets up and fires off the ball really well. Physically, he's strong. Frame-wise, I think he projects better as a guard at the college level, but he has tackle traits for sure. AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: Maybe not ideal length, but everything else in terms of the play style, the movement, that fluid athleticism — he's got those tackle attributes. At guard, I think you've got to be nasty to play in there. I think he's got plenty of mean streak, plenty of nasti- ness — not like an obnoxious way where you're going to get penalties — but he plays through the whistle. The frame checks out as well from the height standpoint. Weight is always going to be fine. He's on the heavier side. You can probably lean him out a little bit, but I like the upside. I think he's got an NFL ceiling for sure if he continues to develop and stays healthy. — Rivals national analyst Greg Biggins PLAYER COMPARISON: LSU offen- sive lineman Braelin Moore — Mageo's frame, versatility and athleticism remind us of Moore. — Ethan McDowell Lincoln Mageo was Michigan's top tar- get to complete its offensive line class. Rivals ranks him as the No. 27 interior offensive lineman in the nation and the No. 30 player in California. PHOTO BY ETHAN MCDOWELL