The Wolverines are going all-in on the 2026 recruiting cycle, making sure the foundation is as sturdy as ever. And that starts with Bryce Underwood. The No. 1 quarterback in the country is already committed, giving the Wolverines their crown jewel. But every elite quarterback needs weapons. Even if the Wolverine would have to transform into an Octopus, they will, and year 2 HC Sherrone Moore is making sure Underwood steps onto campus with a loaded arsenal of wide receivers at his disposal.

And what Sherrone Moore and the 2023 national champions want, they get! Michigan’s aggressive approach is paying off. The staff landed an early commitment from three-star Jaylen Pile. Now U-Mich could take as many as four wide receivers in this class after signing three last year. According to Ethan McDowell of The Wolverine On3, the Wolverines aren’t just targeting a couple of top-tier wideouts—they’re going all-in. “Michigan is in the mix for 8 four-star WR recruits right now,” McDowell reported.

That’s not just casting a wide net—that’s turning into an octopus, grabbing hold of every elite receiver they can possibly reach. Sherrone Moore and his staff are making it clear that simply landing Underwood isn’t enough. Leading the charge are two potential game-changers.

Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech’s four-star wide receiver CJ Sadler, the No. 1 recruit in Michigan, is a dynamic slot weapon who could thrive in Moore’s offensive vision. At 5-9, Sadler is electric in space. Then there’s Travis Johnson, a 6-3 target receiver out of Chesapeake (Va.) Oscar Smith High, who has emerged as a top priority for the Wolverines. Coming in hot is…

The Wolverines have serious momentum with a pair of towering outside receivers in Nalin Scott and Gordon Sellars. At 6-3, Scott brings elite catch radius and red-zone dominance, hailing from McEachern High in Georgia. Sellars, also 6-3, has been a force at Providence Day in North Carolina, continuing the Wolverines’ trend of recruiting nationally. Another name that’s gaining traction is Christian Ward, a 6-3 playmaker from Marietta Walton High, Georgia, who has deep ties to Michigan. Ward is related to former Wolverine basketball star Jerod Ward, and his family’s love for the university could be the X-factor in his recruitment.

Beyond these top-tier targets, Sherrone Moore and his staff are working hard to get more talent on campus. Four-star WR, Davion Brown out of Richmond (Va.) Trinity Episcopal School. Mason James out of Norman (OK) North High. And Nasir Rankin, a 5-11.4 pass catcher from Chicago (Illi.) Morgan Park High picked up an offer last year.

Michigan keeping a close eye on their development. But the crown jewel—the one that could send Wolverine fans into a frenzy—is five-star Chris Henry Jr. The arch-nemesis Ohio State commit. Is the elite prospect out of Mater Dei High in California is the No. 4 player in the nation, and Moore personally traveled west to make his pitch. Henry’s recruitment is still wide open, but Michigan’s involvement signals that they’re swinging for the fences. The build-around ‘Underwood project’ got a whole lot of offensive.

Sherrone Moore wants Z+ security around his $10 million man

Sherrone Moore isn’t messing around when it comes to protecting his prized quarterback, five-star phenom Bryce Underwood. The Wolverines are on a mission to build an elite wall in front of their future signal-caller, and at the top of their wish list? None other than 2026’s No. 1 offensive lineman, Jackson Cantwell.

Standing at a towering 6-foot-7 and tipping the scales at 300 pounds, Cantwell is a human bulldozer in the trenches. Naturally, his recruitment has turned into an all-out national battle. Michigan, Georgia, Miami, Ohio State, Oregon, and home-state Missouri are all vying for his services. But here’s where things get interesting—according to Wiltfong, Cantwell has locked in crucial visits for mid-March, including trips to Michigan, Miami, and Ohio State.

The Wolverines want to show Cantwell that Ann Arbor is where he belongs—blocking for future stars and keeping their $10 million investment (aka their QB1) upright.