Latest news with #VictorsWeekend
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan targets 4-star OL Malakai Lee for 2026, commitment set for June 27 after visit
Michigan targets 4-star OL Malakai Lee for 2026, commitment set for June 27 after visit The identity of Michigan football might be somewhat changing with Bryce Underwood coming aboard to sling the football, while Chip Lindsey -- the new offensive coordinator -- will oversee the deployment of more of a downfield passing game. But the ethos for the Wolverines will still likely follow that of the head coach -- SMASH! That means a dominant run game, and the maize and blue are still working to enhance every aspect of its ground-and-pound attack. This year, it meant bringing in former Alabama tailback Justice Haynes. And for next year, Michigan is going all-out trying to secure five-star running back Savion Hiter. And that makes the offensive line that much more important. A top target sets a commitment date One prospect that Michigan football has consistently targeted along the offensive line is 2026 Honolulu (Hawaii) Kamehameha four-star offensive tackle Malakai Lee. Lee has been a constant presence in Ann Arbor -- which is saying something given the distance from his native Hawaii. Lee is set to make it back to campus this week for Victors Weekend, his final official visit -- and as it turns out, the final visit before he makes his final decision. According to 247Sports' Brandon Huffman, Lee will make his commitment just one week later, on June 27, live on CBS Sports HQ. Michigan has one 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction, from The Michigan Insider's Steve Lorenz, indicating he'll choose the Wolverines. However, the prediction was made back in Oct. 2024, and Georgia, Alabama, and Texas -- his other three finalists -- have all made strong pushes for him since Lee appeared to be leaning maize and blue. The scouting report from 247Sports' Greg Biggins: From a traits standpoint, offensive linemen don't come much better looking than Lee. He's all of 6-6, 325 pounds with verified 36' arms and an 85'+ wingspan. He's a fluid mover as well and has the feet, balance and frame to project as a tackle and could line up on either side, right or left in college. He plays a little hoops as well and checks off the multi-sport box for us. He uses his length well and has the ability to slide and mirror opposing edge rushers. He has added some physicality in the run game over the last year. He's putting guys on their backs more but playing with a more aggressive edge to him is an area we think Lee can still improve on. Saying that, he's an easy high Power 4 prospect and if he hits his ceiling, he will be playing football for a very long time. The 247Sports Composite has Lee ranked as the No. 137 overall recruit in the country, regardless of position, and the 10th-best offensive tackle and second-best player in the state of Hawaii. What Michigan currently has The Wolverines had a big-time offensive line haul last cycle with two five-star tackles in Andrew Babalola and Ty Haywood, along with four-star guard Avery Gach and three-star center Kaden Strayhorn. As far as the 2026 class is concerned, Michigan has just one offensive line commitment in four-star guard Bear McWhorter. But the Wolverines are in the thick of it with not only Lee, but five-star Felix Ojo (who visited two weeks ago), four-star Kelvin Obot, four-star Zaden Krempin, and others.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan football earns recruiting predictions for 4-stars Travis Johnson and Andre Clarke
Michigan football earns recruiting predictions for 4-stars Travis Johnson and Andre Clarke Michigan football is closing up its penultimate recruiting weekend of the late spring and early summer and with so many heavy hitters on campus, it's not surprising that the Wolverines are making moves with some of them. With 10 commitments thus far in 2026, the maize and blue are looking at building out the class even more, and appear poised to do so in short order (though the Sherrone Moore batsignal isn't out just yet to indicate anyone has joined the fold at this juncture). Still, the June 13 recruiting weekend appeared to be a big success, so much so that two recruiting sites put in predictions for two separate prospects who were on campus this weekend. Chesapeake (Va.) Oscar Smith four-star wide receiver Travis Johnson The Wolverines have been targeting a handful of top-flight wide receivers in the 2026 class. Four-star Zion Robinson visited Ann Arbor in May, and five-star Calvin Russell is set to visit for Victors Weekend. But another mainstay in terms of targets has been Travis Johnson, a four-star from the DMV region. Johnson visited Ann Arbor this weekend and it apparently went quite well. The Michigan Insider's Sam Webb and Steve Lorenz both put in 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions for the Wolverines to land him, and On3's Steve Wiltfong and EJ Holland did the same on their site. Johnson is also considering Virginia Tech, Penn State, South Carolina, and Indiana. He's listed highest by ESPN, which has him as the No. 109 player in the country. Richmond (Va.) Heritage four-star CB Andre Clarke Johnson isn't the only visitor this weekend from the DMV that Michigan football made a move with. The Wolverines are looking at several top-flight cornerbacks, with Khary Adams and Andre Clarke being two of the top targets. Adams visited last weekend while Clarke visited Ann Arbor this week, and it appears that it went well for the latter. Sam Webb put in a 247Sports Crystal Ball while EJ Holland put one in on On3. Kentucky had been considered the favorite, while SMU and Miami have also been pushing. He's also listed highest on ESPN, which has him as the No. 100 player nationally. Clarke has visited Ann Arbor four times -- more than any other school by double.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan football to host 5-star WR Calvin Russell for key Victors Weekend recruiting push
Michigan football to host 5-star WR Calvin Russell for key Victors Weekend recruiting push Michigan football is wrapping up its third and penultimate big official visit recruiting weekend, and while there are some heavy hitters on campus this weekend, there are due to be even more the next. This weekend was headlined by 2026 Mineral (Va.) Louisa County five-star running back Savion Hiter, who the Wolverines have long appeared to have the lead for -- but are fending off Tennessee, Ohio State, and Georgia -- but there were other big names on campus, like athlete Salesi Moa, too. But this upcoming Friday-Sunday is 'Victors Weekend,' the final push for some of the top overall targets for the maize and blue. And one elusive prospect, who may be just behind Hiter on the wish list, appears set to make it to Ann Arbor. A top wide receiver set to visit The Wolverines have one receiver committed in the 2026 class in Dallas (Tx.) Parish Episcopal three-star Jaylen Pile. This weekend, Michigan hosted four-star Travis Johnson and had four-star Zion Robinson visit in May. But perhaps the big fish is none other than Miami (Fla.) Northwestern five-star Calvin Russell. And according to The Michigan Insider's Brice Marich, Russell is set to visit Ann Arbor this week. Russell has been setting his visits week by week, so for Michigan to get a visit at this juncture is big news for the Wolverines. Scouting report The scouting report from 247Sports' Andrew Ivins: Hulking wide receiver with above-the-rim athleticism that makes him a uniquely dangerous target, especially down in the red zone. Owns more of a slender build, but has measured over 6-foot-5 multiple times and is blessed with a near 6-foot-10 wingspan. Isn't exactly the most polished route runner at this stage, but creates separation with unexpected suddenness for such a longer strider. Superb body control tends to create even more of a disadvantage for defensive backs as he wins 50-50 battles with timing and positioning. Not going to outrun every tackle, but is quick to hit the gas and can make some dynamic cuts in traffic. Spent much of freshman and sophomore seasons repping as a run first-quarterback out of necessity before settling in as a must-look option in Year 3 for a storied Miami Northwestern program that captured a 3A championship. Will need to add some body armour to a rather wiry frame in hopes of improving play strength and buy into the process at the school of his choice, but should be viewed as a potential impact pass catcher for a College Football Playoff contender that can be positioned all around the field in hopes of creating mismatches. One of those good-at-everything athletes that could legitimately play two spots in college as he's also being recruited by basketball high majors. Russell is rated highest by 247Sports, which has him as a five-star and the No. 21 overall player in the country, regardless of position. He's also the third-best wide receiver and second-rated player from the state of Florida. He's been to Miami the most, and he's coming off of his official there -- his seventh to Coral Gables. He's also visited Florida and Oregon three times. Russell has visited Ann Arbor before, having come to campus on March 17 of this year.
USA Today
08-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan football rolls out maize & blue carpet for top prospects in June 6 visit weekend
Michigan football rolls out maize & blue carpet for top prospects in June 6 visit weekend 2026 5⭐️ EDGE Trenton Henderson on his official visit to Michigan @THenderson26 #GoBlue — uofmcoverage (@uofmcoverage) June 8, 2025 June 6 marked the beginning of the second official visit weekend across college football, and Michigan football hopes that some fireworks emanate from the first June slate of the cycle. The Wolverines hosted several top prospects, building upon the first weekend, but this time with a little more name power. Among the visitors were a high-priority five-star offensive tackle, a few top-tier linebackers, a wide receiver who recently decommitted from Penn State, and more. Most of the visitors posted shots of themselves in Ann Arbor wearing maize and blue, either from their photo shoot inside Schembechler Hall or their visit to The Big House. Check out the visit pictures below. Pensacola (Fla.) Catholic five-star EDGE Trenton Henderson Fort Wayne (Ind.) Northrop three-star WR Jerquaden Guilford Priority WR target Jerquaden Guilford visited Michigan this weekend! The former Penn State commit also has a trip scheduled to Ohio State later this month. His On3 profile: 📸- @quaygilford.2 on IG — Ethan McDowell (@ethanmmcdowell) June 8, 2025 Chicago (Ill.) Simeon four-star EDGE McHale Blade Mansfield (Tx.) Lake Ridge five-star OT Felix Ojo Michigan Fans Go Support The Instagram #GoBlue 💙 — Felix Ojo 🇳🇬 (@FelixTheOL) June 8, 2025 Owings Mills (Md.) McDonogh School four-star LB Nick Abrams II Frisco (Tx.) Panther Creek four-star S Donovan Webb Marietta (Ga.) Kell four-star LB Brayden Rouse Official visits will continue for two more weeks with five-star running back Savion Hiter being the top target attending next week before Victors Weekend on June 20.
USA Today
28-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan football set for a key 2026 safety prospect visit on June 20 during Victors Weekend
Michigan football set for a key 2026 safety prospect visit on June 20 during Victors Weekend The Wolverines have been steadily looking at prospects from two regions in the 2026 recruiting cycle: the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area and the South (primarily Georgia and Florida). The thing about the latter is that it tends to produce high-level prospects, even those who aren't the highest-rated, due to the density of top-tier high school players. On June 20, Michigan football will hold its biggest recruiting weekend of the year, deemed 'Victors Weekend,' when the most-coveted recruits make their way to Ann Arbor in hopes that the maize and blue can close as many as possible. One prospect from the South is set to make his way to campus that weekend, highlighting just how much the Wolverines like his talent. Blake Stewart top four, official visits According to On3, 2026 Atlanta (Ga.) Woodward Academy safety Blake Stewart has set four official visits, including Michigan football on June 20. but will also see Clemson on May 30, Vanderbilt on June 6, and Miami on June 13. Stewart is listed highest on Rivals, which has him as a four-star at No. 148 overall. ESPN also has him listed as a four-star as do the two composite rankings from 247Sports and On3. However, both of the latter in their proprietary rankings, list Stewart as a three-star. LaMar Morgan is the primary recruiter for the 6-foot, 175-pound safety. The Wolverines had a solid haul last cycle bringing in three four-stars at the position in Kainoa Winston, Elijah Dotson, and Jordan Young.
