Everyone in the football sphere is in unison about one thing. The key takeaway from the Super Bowl was that one cliche still holds and will forever. Football is won and lost in the trenches. Even the best QB in the world laid an egg without good protection. Control the line of scrimmage, and you control the game. It’s not as if programs needed this reminder. But it sure has made offensive linemen an even hotter commodity. It’s only natural that Sherrone Moore, who’s building back a fractured offense, has been relentless in his chase for a 6’5, 290-lbs man mountain. Who’s reciprocating the love.

The Michigan Wolverines were yearning for a messiah figure to lead them back to their pedestal. They identified No. 1 overall recruit, Bryce Underwood, to fit that bill. Boy, did they make sure their desperation was fulfilled? Upwards of $10 million in NIL money later, Sherrone Moore has his man. Underwood’s arrival is akin to a mythical being descending upon Ann Arbor from the skies. To lift the vibes in and around the program. That said, he still needs protection as someone with a relatively thin frame. Conventional wisdom says Underwood will redshirt as a freshman and be QB1 from 2026 onwards. This coincides perfectly with the class that Moore is targeting a fluid lineman who’s listed as an OT. But one that Michigan sees as an interior guy, potentially even a center.

3-Star Kannon Smith has the makings of a top-end O-lineman. His sheer physique lends to a prospect that can be honed into something special. Michigan’s development at the line of scrimmage is storied. Hence, it only makes sense Kannon Smith is trending towards the Wolverines. Despite a gaudy 27 college offers.

The Big House has received an official visit from Smith on May 30, On3 reports. This is off the back of him already being on campus twice. “[Michigan] are definitely one of my top schools,” Smith said. “They produce guys [and] have a history of doing that. It’s a blue-collar school… I can see myself fitting into that group of guys really well.” He also discussed how Moore is a key factor pulling him towards Ann Arbor.

“I’ve gotten to know Coach Moore well. When I was at camp last summer, I got to be coached by him in the 1-on-1’s.” said the Denver, Colorado native out of Valor Christian. “That was a great experience. It’s nice having a head coach who was a former offensive line guy. He understands it. When my dad and I visited with him, he really expressed what he knows on the offensive line.” This isn’t exactly a eureka moment, but Sherrone Moore’s own playing career in the O-line is baked into the equation. Kannon Smith also proceeded to speak on another aspect of why Michigan is one of his top landing spots. Among a sea of other top-end schools vying for his services.

Sherrone Moore needs to fend off 4 B1G contemporaries to land Kannon Smith

“Michigan was one of the first big schools to offer me…Ever since then, I’ve been in consistent contact with Coach Newsome.” said Kannon Smith. That would be O-line coach Grant Newsome. Smith elaborated on his relationship with Newsome. It’s actually coach Newsome and not Sherrone Moore who identifies Kannon as an IOL or even center instead of a DE/DT. Where he’s been playing in high school. 

Kannon Smith said “Coach Newsome is a great guy. He came out to visit me in January. He’s a very genuine dude when you talk to him. He’s really great, and he loves his players.” Speaking this glowingly of Newsome does suggest Smith is open to the position change. If not, there are plenty other suitors waiting to pick up the slack. Whilst coach Moore and Michigan have received his very first OV of the summer, Smith’s itinerary also consists of UCLA on June 6th and Penn State on June 20th. Elsewhere, the competition for Moore doesn’t let up either.

 The likes of Ohio State, Alabama, Oregon, USC, Oklahoma and Ole Miss have all made offers. In fact, USC are currently atop On3’s RPM with a 27.6% chance of landing Kannon Smith. Closely followed by Michigan at 24.2%, UCLA at 16.7% and Penn State at 10.2%. It’s an all-Big 10 affair. The Trojans aren’t on the list of OVs but will receive an unofficial visit on April 19th. USC has been on a roll after a personnel turnover in the front office and boasts the No.1 recruiting class for 2026. Adding Kannon Smith to that is on the agenda, and Sherrone Moore needs to be wary. Assembling that shield in front of Bryce Underwood is a requisite need.