Wolverine Digest

Michigan football lands first RB commitment in 2026 class

It was a post-midnight commitment, but the Wolverines are on the board.
Trent Knoop|
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

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Michigan has been striking out with most of its 2026 running back prospects, but in late fashion, the Wolverines gained their first 2026 RB commit. In a post-midnight commitment, Columbus (OH) St. Francis de Sales Jonathan Brown pledged to Michigan.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound RB is unranked on the Composite, but he is a three-star per Rivals. The recruiting service has Brown ranked as the 44th-best RB in the 2026 class. He held notable offers from Air Force, Army, Navy, Kent State, and Rutgers, among others.

While Brown isn't highly ranking, and considered a rising prospect, he gained momentum during a recent camp at Michigan. His 4.55 40-yard dash really jumped out to the coaches, and he earned MVP honors at the camp.

"Those who have seen Brown are not surprised," 247Sports analyst Allen Trieu wrote of Brown's rising stock.

"He has size (6-1, 200 pounds) and was an All-State honorable mention selection with 1,295 yards and 16 touchdowns in the fall. He was excellent at the Under Armour All-America Regional recently when he ran 4.56 in the forty, 4.39 in the shuttle and an eye-catching 6.94 L-Drill." 

Michigan now has 12 commitments in the class.

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Trent Knoop
TRENT KNOOP

Trent began writing and covering Michigan athletics back in 2020. He became a credentialed member of the media in 2021. Trent began writing with Sports Illustrated in 2023 and became the Managing Editor for Michigan Wolverines On SI during the 2025 football season. Trent also serves as the Publisher of Baylor Bears on SI. His other bylines have appeared on Maryland on SI, Wisconsin on SI, and across the USA TODAY Sports network. Trent’s love of sports and being able to tell stories to fans is what made him get into writing.

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