Wolverine Digest

Michigan Football working to flip four-star cornerback from Notre Dame

The Wolverines look to add to their 2026 recruiting class, while dealing a blow to their regional rival in South Bend...
Matt Lounsberry|
Michigan defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan reacts to a play against Oregon during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.
Michigan defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan reacts to a play against Oregon during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Michigan's coaching staff has been active on the recruiting trail over the past two-plus weeks, making in-home visits with high school prospect across the country.

In a recent trip down to Tennessee, U-M defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan met with four-star Chattanooga (Tenn.) McCallie cornerback Chaston Smith, who committed to Notre Dame just two months ago on Dec. 1. It's a clear sign that Smith's verbal pledge to the Fighting Irish has done nothing to quell the Wolverines' pursuit of the four-star.

RELATED: Michigan Football misses on elite 2026 cornerback, who commits to Big Ten rival

According to On3's Industry Ranking, Smith is considered the No. 258 overall prospect, No. 16 cornerback and No. 7 player from the state of Tennessee in the 2026 recruiting class. However, if his offer sheet is any indication, Smith may be undervalued by the recruiting services. The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder has drawn scholarship offers from a whopping 35 FBS programs, with the likes of Alabama, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee and others all throwing their hats in the ring, in addition to Michigan and Notre Dame.

Smith won't be an easy flip for Morgan and the Wolverines. The four-star initially committed to Notre Dame amongst a top group that also included Clemson, Texas A&M, South Carolina and Indiana, and the Fighting Irish will assuredly fight to keep Smith in their class over the next several months of the 2026 cycle.

Michigan currently has two prospects committed to its 2026 class in four-star defensive back Brody Jennings and three-star wide receiver Jaylen Pile. The Wolverines' class sits at No. 39 in the country and ranks 13th out of 18 Big Ten schools in the very early-goings of the cycle.

Michigan Football working to flip four-star cornerback Chaston Smith, current Notre Dame commit in the 2026 recruiting class
Michigan defensive back coach LaMar Morgan looks on after a play against USC during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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