We’re in a bit of a lull in the football recruiting world, but when it comes to the Michigan Wolverines, there’s very rarely a shortage of recruiting news.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73413750/1777184848.0.jpg)
Let’s kick off today’s roundup with a five-star visiting Michigan this weekend.
Former Alabama five-star OL commit in Ann Arbor this weekend for official visit
Five-star offensive lineman Ty Haywood decommitted from Alabama earlier this week, and when a five-star is available, Sherrone Moore and company sure seem to move quickly.
According to a report from On3’s Chad Simmons ($), Haywood will be in Ann Arbor this weekend for his official visit.
As Von Lozon discussed this week, Haywood — the highest-ranked uncommitted player in the 2025 class — had been committed to Alabama since July, but renewed interest in Michigan and other programs was reported around the time that Bryce Underwood committed to Michigan.
Per Steve Wiltfong in the same article with Simmons, Michigan is competing with Florida State and Texas Tech for Haywood, and head coach Sherrone Moore, offensive line coach Grant Newsome and general manager Sean Magee were all in Texas visiting him last week.
Michigan’s track record for developing offensive linemen has been well-documented, and a run-heavy offense has made it an appealing destination for elite players like Haywood. If he were to commit to Michigan, incoming five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood would be protected by two five-stars in Haywood and Andrew Babalola.
2025 RB explains why he chose Michigan
2025 four-star Michigan running back signee Jasper Parker is one of many talented football players in Hawaii this week for the Polynesian Bowl. Parker committed to Michigan last June and signed in December. He recently spoke about his decision to attend Michigan, offering high praise for the coaching staff in an interview with The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich ($).
“Coach Moore is probably one of the most consistent people I’ve ever talked to in my life,” Parker said. “I mean, every time I see him, it’s high energy and that means a lot just to know that he’s always got his head in it and he’s going to be a man of his word. He held a stronghold in my recruitment too. Every time I’m up there, he takes good care of me and my family. I would also mention coach Bellamy because we got closer because we’re from the same place, same high school, so it was just those guys. Coach Moore definitely had a stronghold because he’s the head coach. I didn’t mention enough, but (running backs) coach (Tony Alford) already has a plan for me. He talks to me frequently about how I can stretch the offense and make an impact early so those things along with the home feeling I get from coach Bellamy were the reasons why.”
Michigan fans will be delighted to hear that Parker has been working extremely hard to prepare himself to be part of Michigan’s offense.
“Coach (Alford) told me just to tap in with him with the playbook, but I also have the workout regime,” Parker said. “I got all that. I’m hitting on that every day. Started maybe two weeks ago, so I mean, I’ve been doing that every day. Just getting my mental right and getting ready to walk into some rooms I’ve never been into and learn some things I’ve never been into. I guess stepping back from being there right now, I’m taking a different approach to it mentally. Just kind of enjoying time with my family and I’m just soaking up as much as I can, but also getting as strong as I can, so I can make an impact.”
Parker is a top-300 player in his class on the 247Sports composite, ranked 21st among running backs and 10th among players from Louisiana.
2026 QB speaks on visit from new OC Chip Lindsey
Shifting our focus to the 2026 class, Michigan is beginning to make a push for quarterback Oscar Rios, a four-star from Downey, California rated just outside the top-200 on the composite.
New Michigan offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey reportedly visited California recently to see Rios. The young quarterback spoke about that visit with The Wolverine’s EJ Holland ($).
“It was pretty big for me to have him stop by and check me out,” Rios said. “It was amazing having him there. I got to perform in front of him. It was a great feeling to have him see me in person.”
Rios said he’s open to all options, but appears to have high interest in Michigan. He threw for 2,554 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions as a junior this past season, while also rushing for 735 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Rios has offers from several schools closer to his hometown like Cal and Arizona State, but he hasn’t picked one up from Michigan yet.
“If they do end up offering, it will be on the top of my list, so I for sure would want to visit,” Rios said. “I want to get to know the coaching staff more. I want to see the area. I just want to see how it is out there.”
Quick Hitters
-2026 cornerback Jaziel Hart listed Michigan in his top-six, along with Indiana, Virginia Tech, Tennessee, Virginia and Penn State.
-According to 247Sports’ Allen Trieu ($), Moore was in Kansas to visit 2026 three-Star linebacker Josh Galbreath. He doesn’t have an exact date yet but wants to visit Michigan soon.
-2026 four-star offensive lineman Johnnie Jones, ranked just outside the top-150 on the composite, picked up an offer from Michigan, he announced on social media.
