Wolverine Digest

Report: Michigan football is a 'team to watch' for another 5-star quarterback

Trent Knoop|
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Wolverines got their man in the 2025 cycle when five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood de-committed from LSU to come home and sign with Michigan. But most top programs want to sign a top-end quarterback every cycle. The maize and blue appear to have two real options.

According to Rivals' National Analysts Adam Gorney and Sam Spiegelman, Michigan is a team to watch when it comes to '26 five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons.

"Four programs are standing out most in Lyons’ recruitment with USC, Oregon, BYU and Michigan leading the way. The Trojans remain involved even after they flipped four-star QB Jonas Williams (since Lyons will be taking a one-year Mormon mission) but the Wolverines could be the team to watch. He loved a visit to Ann Arbor when his brother, Walker, was going through the recruiting process and they’re surging as a real consideration."

Lyons, the Folsom (CA) product, is one of the top players in all of the 2026 class. According to the Composite, the 6-3 gunslinger is ranked as the 14th best player and the fourth-ranked quarterback in the class. USC was the clear favorite here, but once the Trojans landed their Jonas Williams, Lyons is starting to look around. Obviously, Underwood being in Ann Arbor won't help, but the goal is for Underwood to play three years before heading to the NFL. Lyons could be the next man up in Ann Arbor.

But Lyons isn't the only option. Former Florida State commit Brady Smigiel has serious interest in Michigan since de-committing from the Seminoles. He has scheduled two visits to Ann Arbor and Michigan could be the leader in that recruitment. Smigiel is a five-star according to Rivals.

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

More Michigan News:

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For additional coverage of University of Michigan athletics:

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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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