In Ann Arbor, the ink on Bryce Underwood’s commitment papers is barely dry, yet the Michigan Wolverines seem to be two steps ahead. That’s the nature of big-time college football, where programs operate like chess grandmasters, always thinking several moves ahead. With Underwood, the No. 1 overall recruit in the class of 2025, and another passer with white hair wisdom Mikey Keene locked in to solidify the quarterback room for the foreseeable future, Michigan HC Sherrone Moore is already turning his attention to what’s next. And, of course, he’s thinking big.

The Wolverines are making an aggressive push for 2026 in-state recruit CJ Sadler, a 4-star talent who could redefine versatility in Michigan’s offense. Sadler, who ranked No. 1 in Michigan and No. 98 nationally by On3, is as intriguing as they come. A wide receiver by trade but a defensive back by ambition, Sadler has expressed a desire to play on both sides of the ball at the next level. “His hopes to play both ways in college are real,” Michigan insider Aidan Sen reported. If this sounds familiar, it’s because we’ve all witnessed the two-way magic of Travis Hunter in Colorado. The question is whether Sherrone Moore and U-Mich are ready to embrace a similar experiment—or if reality will force a more conventional path.

While the potential for Sadler to contribute on both sides of the ball is tantalizing, there are already a few hurdles to clear. For starters, Sadler’s size—5’10” and 170 pounds—raises eyebrows. Michigan’s prototype cornerbacks, like Will Johnson at 6’2”, cast a long shadow over Sadler’s current frame. “He’s undersized compared to what Michigan typically looks for,” Sen pointed out, and that’s hard to ignore. Sure, there’s room to grow, but not every player transforms into Hunter overnight. Sadler’s ambitions may hinge on whether Michigan sees more value in him as a dynamic offensive weapon or as a risk-taking project on defense.

On offense, Sadler fits Moore’s immediate needs perfectly. After a year where Michigan’s passing attack often felt like driving a sports car stuck in second gear, the Wolverines are desperate for playmakers out wide. Bryce Underwood, with his cannon of an arm, can’t thrive without elite weapons, and Sadler’s speed and agility could offer exactly that. The parallels to Mike Sainristil—a former two-way player turned slot receiver at Michigan—are easy to draw. But for Sadler, the stakes are different. The Wolverines are no longer just trying to build a balanced team; they’re trying to build a juggernaut around Underwood.

Speaking of Underwood, his arrival in Ann Arbor wasn’t exactly a subtle affair. With an NIL deal reportedly exceeding $10 million, Michigan made a massive statement. They didn’t just win a recruiting battle—they planted their flag as a major player in the NIL era. Underwood is expected to be the face of Michigan football for years to come, but as Moore knows, no single player can carry a program alone.

Still, there’s an inherent risk in banking on Sadler’s potential as a two-way player. As much as fans and analysts want to dream of another Travis Hunter-esque phenom, the truth is that Hunter’s success at Colorado is an exception, not the rule.

Regardless of how the chips fall, Michigan is clearly operating with a long-term vision. The Bryce Underwood era hasn’t even begun, but the Wolverines are already laying the groundwork for what comes after.

Sherrone Moore and his GM outbolster Underwood’s security detail

If we say that Moore and offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey throw the true freshman straight into the deep end over the Fresno State transfer, Mikey Keene. Then surely they are going to need a jacked bodyguard in the offensive line. Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore and general manager Sean Magee made a pit stop at Nixa High School in Missouri to visit five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2026 class. For Michigan, Cantwell isn’t just a top priority—he’s the priority for the next recruiting cycle.

“It was a fun visit,” Cantwell shared. “I got to meet the coaches and see all the facilities. I talked to the strength coach and the personnel team. The campus seems like a good place to live—really enjoyable. I didn’t have time to see The Big House, but I definitely want to next time. Maybe during a spring practice.”

Sherrone Moore, a wizard when it comes to landing top offensive line talent, was instrumental in securing five-star 2025 recruit Andrew Babalola. Now, he’s looking to work that same magic with Cantwell. Having transitioned from offensive line coach to head coach, Moore remains deeply involved in recruiting elite linemen, proving that Michigan’s trenches are always top-tier. Whether that future includes a two-way superstar, the No. 1 player in the nation, or a tight security that remains to be seen.