Wolverine Digest

Michigan Football: Updated national rankings for 2026 recruiting class

The Michigan Wolverines are on track to sign back-to-back top 10 recruiting classes under head coach Sherrone Moore.
Chris Breiler|
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After a relatively slow start, the Michigan Wolverines put together a solid recruiting effort in June and July. At one point, Michigan's 2026 recruiting class had climbed from the high 40s into the top 10 nationally. But in recent days, the class has slipped a little bit as other programs have secured big wins, leaving Michigan sitting at No. 11 nationally in Rivals' latest team rankings.

RELATED: Michigan, Penn State in recruiting battle for elite 2027 QB

Michigan's 2026 recruiting class features 22 commitments and ranks No. 4 within the Big Ten conference, trailing only USC, Oregon, and Ohio State.

Leading the class is five-star edge rusher Carter Meadows, the No. 5 EDGE nationally and No. 1 overall prospect from Washington, DC. Meadows committed to the Wolverines at the end of June, choosing Michigan over Ohio State, Penn State, and South Carolina.

Here's the latest look at all 22 members of Michigan's 2026 class:

  1. Carter Meadows, 5-star EDGE
  2. Titan Davis, 4-star DL
  3. Travis Johnson, 4-star WR
  4. Brady Smigiel, 4-star QB
  5. Andre Clarke, 4-star S
  6. Malakai Lee, 4-star OT
  7. Julian Walker, 4-star EDGE
  8. Matt Ludwig, 4-star TE
  9. Zion Robinson, 4-star WR
  10. McHale Blade, 4-star EDGE
  11. Alister Vallejo, 4-star DL
  12. Dorian Barney, 4-star CB
  13. Jordan Deck, 4-star S
  14. Mason Bonner, 3-star TE
  15. Marky Walbridge, 3-star OL
  16. Bear McWhorter, 3-star OL
  17. Tariq Boney, 3-star EDGE
  18. Markel Dabney, 3-star LB
  19. Jonathan Brown, 3-star RB
  20. Jaylen Pile, 3-star WR
  21. Colton Dermer, 3-star LS
  22. Micah Drescher, 3-star K

It's worth noting that Meadows, Davis, Johnson, Smigiel, Clarke, Lee, and Ludwig are all considered top 20 prospects nationally at their respective positions.

The Wolverines are still in pursuit of several major targets, most notably five-star running back Savion Hiter. The 5-11, 200-pound prospect out of Virginia is ranked as the No. 1 RB in the nation for the 2026 class. He's set to announce his collegiate decision on August 19, and the top two schools appear to be Michigan and Tennessee. Although the Volunteers are very much a threat in this recruiting battle, analysts still view the Wolverines as a slight favorite here.

With the college football season kicking off in less than a month, the remaining top recruits on the board will undoubtedly take their final official visits before making a decision. And if things go according to plan, Michigan appears poised to secure back-to-back top 10 recruiting classes under head coach Sherrone Moore.

Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI -

More Michigan News:

Michigan among frontrunners for nation's No. 1 QB — again

Michigan surges late in battle with Ole Miss for 4-star defender

Michigan in heated recruiting battle with Ohio State, Oregon ahead of 4-star's decision

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Chris Breiler
CHRIS BREILER

Christopher Breiler launched Winged Helmet Media and began covering the Michigan Football program in an unofficial capacity in 2017. He then joined Wolverine Digest as part of the FanNation network in 2021 as a contributing writer, where he served as both a writer and a photographer on game days. In 2024, he took over as the Managing Editor for Michigan Wolverines On SI. His love for Michigan Football brought him into the industry, and his passion for being a content creator has led to some amazing experiences along the way.

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