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Recruiting: Michigan football named in top 5 for elite 2026 LB who takes a visit to Ann Arbor this weekend

Could Michigan do enough to really move the needle?
Trent Knoop|
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Michigan Wolverines

Michigan football has had a rich history at the LB position in recent years. Entering 2025, the Wolverines are likely to have one of the top LB duos in the country with Ernest Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham back for another season. With the history Michigan has had, it's not hard to believe top players at the position are taking a hard look at Ann Arbor to play collegiately.

One player who is taking a hard look at Michigan is four-star LB Calvin Thomas. The Cypress (TX) LB named a top five that consists of Michigan, SMU, North Carolina, Nebraska, and in-state Texas Longhorns.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound LB is set to head to Michigan this weekend for an official visit. Thomas is considered the 255th-best player in the 2026 class, and the No. 18 LB, per the composite. In 2024, during his junior year of high school, he tallied 69 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, and seven sacks for Cy Ranch.

While there are no Crystal Ball predictions in on where Thomas might go, according to On3's Recruiting Prediction Machine, SMU currently holds the lead for the coveted LB with a 37.8% chance. However, Michigan is right behind SMU with a 33.1% chance.

Michigan currently has seven commitments in the class, but the Wolverines are starting to make moves on several top players in the 2026 class, and with official visits underway, Michigan could land some more players soon.

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

More Michigan News:

Charles Woodson reacts to Charles Woodson Jr.'s scholarship offer from Michigan football

Michigan football lands prediction for a coveted LB recruit from California

ESPN: Michigan football has a 6% chance to win the Big Ten in 2025

Ranking every Big Ten head coach entering the 2025 season: Ryan Day or Dan Lanning?

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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