UM lit up the recruiting trail this July 4 weekend, pulling in fireworks of their own with a commitment from one of the most complete receivers in the 2026 class. Travis Johnson, the four-star standout from Oscar Smith High in Chesapeake, Virginia, made things official with a crowd of family and friends watching. He committed to Michigan, picking the Wolverines over a stacked list of 30+ offers, including top contenders like Penn State, Georgia, UNC, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, and Indiana.

It marked a major win for coach Sherrone Moore and wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy, who led one of the cycle’s most competitive recruitments. The addition of Johnson sends a loud message about where the unit—and this 2026 class—is heading. For Travis Johnson, the decision was about more than just football.

“It’s different really getting to play with an African-American coach,” he said of Sherrone Moore to On3’s The Wolverine. “He’s one of one, and yeah, Coach Moore, he’s one of us for real. So yeah, he’s definitely a good guy to hang around with, good guy to be around. I can’t wait to go down there and spend the next three to four years down there.” That connection extended beyond the head coach. Bellamy, a former Michigan standout himself, became the emotional center of Johnson’s recruitment.

“What stood out about Coach Bellamy is just—he’s another one like one of us. He’s a great guy to talk to, great guy to be around. Most of the times we talk it’s not even about football, it’s just about life. We play the game with each other. It’s a great time to have Coach Bell,” Johnson said.  Offensively, the vision is clear. Michigan wants to evolve. And Johnson, with his smooth vertical gear and clean route tree, sees himself at the center of it.  The Bryce Underwood connection has been real too. Underwood, the nation’s top QB in 2025, was actively involved in multiple visits and helped paint a clear picture of the offensive future in Ann Arbor. It’s a future that Johnson clearly believes in.

Listed at 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, Travis Johnson brings length, top-end speed, and hands that rarely fail. Even after missing time with an injury during his junior season, he still racked up 1,044 receiving yards and 15 TDs while helping Oscar Smith cap off an undefeated state championship run. According to the 247Sports Composite, he’s ranked No. 144 nationally and No. 21 among all receivers in the 2026 class.

“Well-rounded wide receiver with the size, speed and focus to emerge as a trusted option at the Power Four level,” wrote Andrew Ivins in his scouting report. “Height and bounce suggest that he’s destined to play on the outside, but is sudden and quick enough to win from an interior alignment with his slick route running. Attacks cushion with good surge off the line and can reach a top gear before changing course with full-tilt cuts.”

Johnson becomes Michigan’s third receiver in the class, joining fellow 6-foot-3 four-star Zion Robinson. And the Wolverines may not be done. They remain favored to land another towering pass-catcher in Calvin Russell III, a 6-foot-5 wideout ranked among the top 50 players in the country. If they pull that off, it’s hard not to view this receiver haul as one of the most dynamic in the nation. Michigan’s 2026 class now sits comfortably inside the top 10 in most major rankings, with Rivals listing them at No. 9 nationally. But beyond numbers, it’s the foundation that matters.

VA Roots, Michigan wings: Travis Johnson’s pipeline

The ties to Virginia? They still matter, maybe more than ever. Travis Johnson didn’t just pick U-Mich for the football. People, culture, and connection rooted his decision. “The people,” Johnson said when asked what else stood out about Michigan. “It’s Michigan. It has a big network. The people are good. All of my guys from Virginia are there.”

That’s not just a feel-good answer; it’s a foundation. Johnson is now the third Virginia native to commit to Michigan in the 2026 cycle, joining fellow DMV standouts Andre Clark and Markel Dabney. And yes, the group chat’s already buzzing. “Definitely, definitely a bond,” Johnson said. “They blowing up my phone right now, so I’ll get back to them in a little bit. So, it’s definitely—I can’t wait to be around them more.”

But Johnson isn’t stopping with just fitting in—he’s already taken on the role of recruiter-in-chief. “I recruited—before I even announced it—I recruited Carter, and he already committed,” he said with a grin. Carter, of course, is fellow standout Carter Meadows and the two will meet in a marquee early-season clash between Oscar Smith and Gonzaga. As for what’s next? Johnson’s mission is clear: build something special in Ann Arbor, starting with the bonds that began right back home in Virginia.