Wolverine Digest

Michigan football strikes out with another 2026 RB prospect

The Wolverines misses out on another RB prospect they had talked with.
Trent Knoop|
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

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Michigan football was in communication with several running back targets in the 2026 cycle. But the Wolverines have yet to reel in an RB in the class. As Michigan fans know, the Wolverines heavily use the position, and more and more targets are starting to come off the board.

Most recently, El Paso (TX) four-star RB Ryan Estrada announced he committed to Minnesota over Michigan and others. The 5-foot-9, 195-pound RB had taken an official visit to Ann Arbor back on June 4.

According to the Composite, Estrada was the No. 310-ranked prospect in the cycle and the No. 20 RB in the country. In 2024, he ran for 2,422 yards and 32 touchdowns during his junior year of high school. On top of having offers from Minnesota and Michigan, Estrada was looking into Alabama, Oklahoma State, Wisconsin, and Missouri, among others.

Estrada isn't the first RB target Michigan isn't going to land. The Wolverines have missed out on several of their 2026 targets. Four-star Deshonne Redeaux went to USC, Javian Osborne chose Notre Dame over Michigan, Javian Mallory went to Miami, and all signs point to Amari Latimer committing to Wisconsin.

Michigan continues to put all of its chips on landing five-star Savion Hiter. The Wolverines had Hiter on a visit this past weekend, and he is headed to Tennessee this weekend to see the Vols. Michigan needs to do whatever it takes to land the top-ranked RB to make this cycle not go to waste on the RB front.

- Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI -

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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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