2026 Season Countdown: #86-90

 

Max Alford (image via Yahoo!)

#86. Max Alford - LB - Park City (UT) Park City: Alford is a 6'1", 230 lb. fifth year senior and the nephew of running backs coach Tony Alford. After spending three seasons at Utah State, he then transferred to BYU in 2025, making 21 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and 1 sack for the Cougars. He does have five career starts, making him a more experienced player than most in the linebacker room, but watching some film of him makes me think he will be a step or two too slow to play for the Wolverines. I think his biggest role will be as a mentor to younger players as they learn defensive coordinator Jay Hill's defense, since Hill was BYU's defensive coordinator.

#87. Jacob Washington - WR - Marrero (LA) Archbishop Shaw: Washington is a 6'3", 197 lb. redshirt freshman after playing in just two games in 2025. High school teammate Jasper Parker spent one season in Ann Arbor before going back down south to play for Arkansas this fall, and Washington looks to be pretty solidly mired as a backup for the 2026 season behind several players. From the buzz coming out of practice, it appears that freshman Travis Johnson has passed up Washington on the depth chart, too. There will probably not be a ton of playing time available for Washington this fall unless there are some injury problems.

#88. Luke Hamilton - OG - Avon (OH) Avon: Hamilton is a 6'5", 319 lb. redshirt sophomore now. After two years on campus, his only game appearance has been in the 63-3 blowout of Central Michigan in 2025. Word coming out of practices has been that Michigan has about eight different guys who could start this fall, but Hamilton hasn't really been mentioned much by insiders and appears to be on the outside looking in when it comes to getting meaningful playing time this fall. If he spends a third year at Michigan barely getting on the field, things will be looking pretty bleak for his future in Ann Arbor.

#89. Daniel Taraboi - OT - Cedarburg (WI) Cedarburg: Taraboi is a 6'7", 328 lb. fifth year senior who is a former walk-on. He has played in one game in each of his seasons on the roster. His best chance to play may be on the extra point/field goal protection unit, but Michigan has enough depth that Taraboi probably won't get on the field much as the coaching staff tries to develop younger players for action in 2027.

#90. Brooks Bahr - OG - Lake Forest (IL) Loyola: Wow, Bahr's career has gone by quickly. As I began typing up this post, I was still thinking of Bahr as a redshirt sophomore, but he's actually going into his fourth year on campus. After starting his career as a defensive end, he moved to the offensive side of the ball a year ago and is now listed as a 6'5", 312 lb. offensive lineman. He does not appear to be much of a factor in the discussion for playing time this fall, and somewhat like Taraboi, he may be most likely to play on a special teams protection unit.

2026 Season Countdown: #91-95

 

Tomas O'Meara (image via X)

#91. McHale Blade - DE - Chicago (IL) Simeon: Blade is a 6'4", 245 lb. true freshman who finished the cycle as a 4-star, the #47 defensive lineman, and #437 overall. He's very physical and a little heavy-footed at times, so he may end up kind of like a Cameron Brandt player, but I think fans will appreciate his toughness. He has had some injury issues in high school, but Michigan will need a young edge or two to step up in 2026 as depth pieces. Blade and 5-star Carter Meadows appear to be likely candidates to see the field as backups this season.

#92. Tomas O'Meara - RB - Ann Arbor (MI) Gabriel Richard: Now a redshirt sophomore, O'Meara was called into action against Maryland in 2025 when there were some injury issues with Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall. He performed admirably with 8 carries for 71 yards, including a 37-yarder. Michigan won admirably and O'Meara was able to take the load off some other guys a little bit as the season wore along.

#93. Julius Holly - DE - Alpharetta (GA) Alpharetta: Holly is a 6'4", 230 lb. redshirt freshman who played in the Cheez-It Bowl against Texas during his only appearance in 2025. He seems to have a little way to go before he reaches a playable weight for a 6'4" edge defender, and there hasn't really been any buzz about him coming out of practice. This will probably be another developmental year for him as he continues to add weight and sits behind several experienced players.

#94. Mason Bonner - TE - Denver (CO) Mullen: Bonner was a so-so recruit coming out of high school in 2026, ranked as a 3-star, the #26 tight end, and #526 overall. He was listed as a 6'6", 200 lb. recruit, but Michigan now lists him at 6'7" and 225 lbs. He made 47 catches for 767 yards and 6 touchdowns as a senior last season, but he now enters a pretty solid group of tight ends. I wouldn't put it past him to earn some playing time this season if the added weight is legitimate, but it seems the super tall tight end types take a couple years to figure out their strength, coordination, route running, etc.

#95. Tariq Boney - DE - Washington (DC) St. John's: Boney is a 4-star, the #32 edge, and the #313 player overall in the 2026 class. He made 48 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 6 pass breakups as a senior in 2025. Now listed at 6'2", 245 lbs., he could potentially break into the lineup as a freshman. I will be interested to see how Michigan and new defensive coordinator Jay Hill deploys his players, and whether he tries to adjust to the Big Ten by playing bigger players at Michigan than he did elsewhere. It's difficult to get on the field as a short-ish freshman edge, because players like him have to learn how to deal with the reach disadvantage. But I could see his quickness being used in certain situations.

2026 Season Countdown: #96-100

 

Titan Davis (image via X)

#96. Jeffrey Chukwu - CB - Severna Park (MD) Severna Park: Chukwu is a 6'2", 195 lb. redshirt sophomore who walked on to the team in 2025. He did not play in any games, but he was named Scout Team Special Teams Player of the Week three times during the year. Chukwu appears to have been more of a soccer player in high school than a football standout, but his Hudl profile did list him with a 4.5 forty. There might be some things to work with her on special teams, but he is probably not a threat to play much defensive back this season.

#97. Titan Davis - DT - St. Louis (MO) DeSmet: Davis is listed at 6'4", 275 lbs. on the MGoBlue roster as a freshman defensive lineman. He finished the recruiting cycle as a 4-star, the #11 defensive lineman, and #95 overall. Davis started his high school career as a quarterback and transitioned to the defensive line, and I do tend to like former quarterbacks who play other positions . . . so I have some high hopes for Davis down the road. Right now he seems like kind of a tweener between defensive end and defensive tackle, and the (in)consistency of his play makes me think he might be a bit of a project for down the road, but someone with high upside. He will have to get off the ball quicker and use his hands better, but Davis could flash this season, depending on how quickly he learns to play on the interior. He's ranked pretty low right now, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him make a big jump in next year's countdown.

#98. Crandall Quinn - TE - Grand Rapids (MI) Forest Hills Central: Quinn is a 6'2", 238 lb. former member of Michigan's lacrosse team. He joined the football team in 2025 and appeared in one game at tight end. Michigan should be in a little less tight end-heavy personnel this season because of their expanded depth at the wide receiver position, and Quinn likely isn't going to force himself onto the field.

#99. Randy Keugmone - DE - Oakdale (MN) Tartan: Keugmone is a 6'2", 237 lb. defensive end who spent five years playing football at South Dakota State. He then joined Michigan in 2025 and is back for the 2026 season, using the COVID waiver and apparently getting some extra eligibility from an injury earlier in his career. He has played in 38 career football games, but he only played in one game in 2025. He will likely be a scout team player in 2026.

#100. Ace Hamilton - C - Washington (DC) St. John's: Hamilton is listed at 6'3", 295 lbs. as a freshman center and earned some buzz during spring practice. It's notoriously difficult to play center as a freshman, so I don't think he'll see the field much at all, especially if the guys in front of him stay healthy. He finished the 2026 recruiting cycle as a 3-star, the #47 interior offensive lineman, and #607 overall, but I have a feeling he will outplay his ranking by the time his career is over. The aforementioned lack of experience will probably be too big of a hurdle to overcome this year.

2026 Season Countdown: #101-105

 

Bryce Wilcox (image via X)

#101. Christian Pierce - LB - Chicago (IL) Brother Rice: Pierce is a 6'0", 235 lb. linebacker and the younger brother of fourth-year defensive tackle Trey Pierce. Christian spent last season at Western Illinois and made 100 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 4 pass breakups, and 7 quarterback hurries, so he has a fair amount of playing time for a sophomore linebacker. I have not heard about him being talked up much from spring practices, and the jump from being a Western Illinois Leatherneck to playing in Michigan Stadium is fairly significant. Maybe some more experience at the FBS level will push him up the depth chart in the coming years, but for now, I'm thinking he will be a backup.

#102. Joshua Nichols - CB - Detroit (MI) Renaissance: Nichols is a 5'10", 205 lb. fifth year senior who has played in just one game during his first four years on campus. After being listed as a safety earlier in his career, he is now listed as a cornerback. We have seen him play a little bit in spring games, and his foot speed is not where it needs to be to play cornerback, so we're not looking at a walk-on like Keshaun Harris who could be in line for some legitimate playing time. Nichols will possibly be a special teams player or a deep bench player.

#103. James Kavouklis - C/LS - Tampa (FL) Berkeley Prep: Kavouklis is now listed at 6'1", 295 lbs. and played in one game against Central Michigan in 2025. Long snappers don't typically play offensive line because they have to get downfield on punt coverage, but Kavouklis is an exception. Michigan has some depth at center and Kavouklis will probably be the #3 long snapper, so he's unlikely to play much in 2026.

#104. Zach Ludwig - LB - South Park (PA) South Park: Ludwig is a 6'2", 225 lb. redshirt sophomore who played in one game last season, which was in the blowout of Central Michigan. The nephew of former Michigan strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert, it's been a little surprising that Ludwig - who didn't have much of a recruiting profile - has stuck around the past couple seasons. But he has added about 20 pounds in the past couple years and is approaching a playable linebacker weight. He will most likely be buried down the depth chart, but he enters year three actually looking like a linebacker.

#105. Bryce Wilcox - WR - Sharpsburg (GA) Trinity Christian: Gosh darn it, I have been in Wilcox's fan club since he came out of high school, and now it's year five for him and he hasn't played much at all. He's now listed at 5'11" and 191 lbs. and was named the Special Teams Scout Team Player of the Year in 2025. Maybe playing receiver isn't in the cards, but I'm hoping for Wilcox to have one of those walk-on moments in 2026 where he recovers a blocked punt for a touchdown or something like that.

2026 Season Countdown: #106-110

 

Ndi Etta (image via X)

#105. John Weidenbach - LB - Naperville (IL) Benet Academy: Weidenbach is a 6'0", 215 lb. redshirt junior who has been on the team for the past three seasons. He saw his first game action in 2025, playing some linebacker against Central Michigan in the 63-3 blowout. Weidenbach won't play a meaningful role in 2026, but he could be in line for some garbage time opportunities.

#106. Kaleb Schlecht - WR - Ann Arbor (MI) Skyline: Schlecht is a 6'4", 205 lb. wideout who saw his first playing time against Central Michigan in 2025. He has good size, but even going back to high school, his speed and athleticism didn't indicate an FBS contributor. He may be able to play some as a blocking wideout, but Michigan seems to have enough bodies at wide receiver to keep Schlecht on the sideline.

#107. Ndi Etta - LB - Keller (TX) Liberty Christian: Etta is the 6'2", 215 lb. younger brother of Michigan defensive tackle Enow Etta. Michigan jumped into his recruitment late and landed him over a few MAC schools and Sacramento State. Ndi lacks the quick twitch ability of a true linebacker, and he doesn't have the size to contribute at defensive end right now, so this is almost certainly going to be a developmental year. Perhaps he can contribute down the road, but we will see how his body develops. Enow grew from a good-sized edge prospect into a good looking defensive tackle, so there is a family history of packing on good weight.

#108. Tommy Fraumann - OT - Wilmette (IL) Loyola: Fraumann is a true freshman whom Michigan flipped from Miami-OH. While he was listed at 6'8" and 255-265 lbs. as a recruit, he is reportedly around 280 lbs. now. That still makes him unplayable at offensive tackle, but he's inching toward a respectable size. Michigan has not had great luck with super tall offensive tackles over the years, but occasionally you get a Taylor Lewan, which can be fun.

#109. Sam Baron - CB - Cadillac (MI) Lake Area: Baron is a 6'1", 188 lb. redshirt junior who just joined the football team as a walk-on in the spring. His father Phil played football at Michigan State back in the day, but his mom - who must be an awesome person - attended Michigan. It's very unlikely that someone who hasn't played football in three years will make any contributions, but as a more mature team member, maybe some opportunities can arise.

Ryan Jung, Wolverine

 

Kerry Coombs and Milton (GA) Milton K Ryan Jung (image via X)

Milton (GA) Milton kicker Ryan Jung committed to Michigan, becoming the first member of Michigan’s 2028 recruiting class.

The 6'2", 195 lb. Jung went 4/5 on field goal attempts as a sophomore in 2025, with a long of 46. He made 50/62 extra points and 36/66 kickoffs were touchbacks.

RANKINGS
Kohl's Kicking: 5-star, #1 kicker

Hit the jump for more.

Visitors: June 12-14, 2026

 

Joshua Dobson (image via X)

Khylan Davis - QB - Houston (TX) C.E. King: Davis (unranked) is a 6'0", 193 lb. prospect who has been committed to UTSA since April. He threw for 2,428 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions as a junior in 2025, and he also ran for 1,218 yards and 23 touchdowns. This is an official visit.

Joshua Dobson - CB - Cornelius (NC) Hough: Dobson (5-star, #2 CB, #17 overall) is a 6'1", 185-pounder with officials to Auburn, South Carolina, and Tennessee, along with this one to Michigan. He is scheduled to commit on July 1.

Ifeanyi Emedobi - DE - Fort Wayne (IN) Northrop: Emedobi (4-star, #36 edge, #406 overall) is a 6'1", 210 lb. prospect with Michigan, Minnesota, and Penn State as his official visits. He made 50 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks as a junior in 2025.

Frederrick Ford - LB - Greenwood (MS) Greenwood: Ford (4-star, #17 LB, #225 overall) is a 6'5", 190-pounder with Florida State, LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Tennessee as officials, and he took a mid-week official visit to Michigan this week. He basically plays a strong safety role for his high school team, but he's a little bit stiff and will almost certainly end up at linebacker or perhaps edge rusher in college.

Tye Kennedy - OT - Mesa (AZ) Mountain View: Kennedy (3-star, #57 OT, #627 overall) is a 6'6", 275 lb. tackle who is the son of former NFL star offensive tackle Lincoln Kennedy (and the brother of former Michigan target Zach Banner, who played for the USC Trojans). Tye has officials to Stanford, Utah, and Washington, along with this one to Ann Arbor.

D.J. Mitchell - CB - Indianapolis (IN) Franklin Central: Mitchell (3-star, #134 CB, #1492 overall) has been committed to Miami-OH since mid-March. He took an official at Miami-OH and has one next week to Purdue. This is his official visit to Michigan.