Recruiting Roundup: Michigan Football pushing hard to flip 2 LBs in 2026 class

There isn’t usually a ton to talk about in the recruiting world during the season, but the Michigan Wolverines have been busy on the trail recently and are looking to put the finishing touches on the 2026 class. Let’s break down the latest developments in today’s Recruiting Roundup.

Michigan eyeing Kansas State, Georgia commits

The Wolverines only have one linebacker committed in the 2026 class in three-star Markel Dabney. With flip season approaching, Michigan is hoping to bust out the spatula for a pair of linebackers currently committed to other programs.

Three-star Dejon Ackerson committed to Kansas State back in April, but that isn’t stopping Michigan’s coaching staff from recruiting him. According to On3’s EJ Holland ($), linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary went and visited Ackerson during the bye week. Ackerson has not reported an offer from Michigan just yet, so that would be a pivotal step in attempting to get him to flip.

Jean-Mary was busy during the bye week, as he also went to Maryland to see four-star Georgia linebacker commit Nick Abrams. A top target at the position, Abrams initially committed to the Bulldogs over Michigan, Oregon and others over the summer. Now, he is set to take a crucial visit to Ann Arbor this weekend for the game against Wisconsin.

We’ll see if the Wolverines can steal either of these recruits before the 2026 cycle wraps up.

Four-star OL talks recent offer

Michigan extended an offer to 2027 four-star offensive lineman Jackson Roper the day before the Oklahoma game, and Roper was in Norman visiting for that matchup between the Sooners and Wolverines. The Wolverines lost, but Roper is still high on the program.

“It was amazing,” Roper told On3’s Ethan McDowell ($) of the offer. “Michigan is a school that I’ve always had my eye on. They’re a big time program. They win.”

Like it does for many recruits, the education aspect at Michigan something that catches Roper’s eye.

“They take education really serious there, which has always been important to me,” he said. “It’s a true brotherhood— the Michigan man is what they call it. You go to Michigan, you’ve always gone to Michigan, and that’s something I’m looking for— a true home. And obviously, big time football. They’re a great program. They develop guys really well, specifically offensive linemen.”

Michigan is a good place to be if you’re an offensive lineman, and Roper has noticed that as well.

“Michigan’s always been a hard-nosed program who runs the ball really well, so that’s something for me,” Roper added. “I feel like that’s a huge part of my game, being able to move guys from point A to point B and run the ball hard.”

Roper is hoping to visit Ann Arbor the Ohio State game.

Four-star DL shares why Michigan is top school

Another player from the 2027 class Michigan is in a good spot with is four-star defensive lineman Joseph Buchanan. He has the Wolverines in his Top-10 list, and he recently revealed why.

“Michigan is in there because they’ve been consistent in producing defensive linemen,” Buchanan told Holland ($). “I really, really like the way Mason Graham played this past year. I really liked his technique. It showed me a lot about what the defensive line coaches are doing at Michigan. That’s a big reason why they made my Top 10.”

Position coach Lou Esposito has been recruiting Buchanan hard, and his work is paying off so far.

“I have a good relationship with coach Espo,” Buchanan said. “That’s my guy. We talk a lot. He’s very open. He’s a really cool guy. He’s relatable. When we have conversations, it’s not just about ball. It’s also life outside of that. He checks up on me. You can tell he genuinely cares.”

The next step here is a visit, and that is something that Buchanan is interested in. He doesn’t believe he’ll be able to do a game day visit this year, but he will “definitely visit” at some point.

“I just want to see everything they have to offer. I want to enjoy the experience and see what Michigan is all about,” he said.

Quick Hitters

• Michigan extended an offer to 2026 four-star cornerback Jamarion Vincent last week. Vincent has been committed to Baylor since January.

• Five-star running back commit Savion Hiter has locked in two visits for the season, according to On3’s EJ Holland ($). He will be in town this weekend when the Wolverines host Wisconsin, as well as at the end of the season when Michigan takes on Ohio State.
• Following Dorian Barney’s flip to Ole Miss, Michigan extended an offer to 2026 four-star cornerback Danny Odem on Sunday. Odem is currently committed to Nebraska.