Sherrone Moore is starting to make a name for himself as a closer on the recruiting trail. Known for flipping big names, he pulled off a stunner with 5-star QB Bryce Underwood, who ditched LSU for the Maize and Blue. Now, he’s done it again. Well, in March, four-star quarterback Brady Smigiel committed to Michigan, delivering another major win for the 2026 class. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound gunslinger from Newbury Park, California, had his pick of top programs — FSU, Gamecocks, Oregon, and Notre Dame. He was even locked in with the Seminoles for nearly 7 months before backing off in January. Now, he’s all in on the Wolverines — and it’s already being called one of the biggest flips of the cycle. But is another recruiting shocker on the horizon for Sherrone Moore?

Well, Georgia Tech thought they had a head start in the 2026 race. Back in March, 3-star CB Traeviss Stevenson became the first commit of their class. He had over 20 offers on the table, but the Yellow Jackets felt like home. Even scheduled his official visit for June 6-8 — just to seal the deal. But now? The script’s flipping fast. Sherrone Moore and Michigan have entered the chat — and they’re making noise. The Wolverines are coming strong for the elite ACC commit, sending a clear message.

On May 20, Michigan insider Ethan McDowell dropped a bit of recruiting heat. The Wolverines officially offered 2026 three-star cornerback Traeviss Stevenson — and that could shake things up. The Quitman (GA) native has been locked in with Georgia Tech since March, but the race just got tighter. Now, Stanford is getting his official visit later this month. Meanwhile, Texas and Florida recently jumped in with offers too. But with Michigan in the mix, Stevenson’s recruitment is heating up fast — and his Yellow Jacket pledge suddenly feels far from safe.

Interestingly, when Traeviss Stevenson got the call from Michigan, he made it loud and clear on X: “The University Of Michigan offered💛💙.” While it felt like a long-awaited moment, the real battle begins now. Moore has his hands full with SEC powers like Georgia and Vanderbilt, plus several ACC contenders, all in pursuit. And who can blame them? Stevenson is a two-way star for Brooks County, Georgia’s 2024 state runner-up. On offense, he hauled in 29 catches for 244 yards and a score. But defense is where he shines — racking up 74 tackles, third-most on the team. To be honest, versatile, explosive, and battle-tested — he’s the kind of playmaker everyone wants.

However, Michigan’s recruiting wins are stacking up, with Underwood and five-star OL Andrew Babalola giving them serious momentum. That edge could be the game-changer in landing this 2026 standout cornerback, Traeviss Stevenson. But don’t count out the ACC powerhouse just yet. Stevenson made it clear during his verbal commitment: “I made my decision a couple of days ago. I chose Georgia Tech because it is the best place for me and for the education. The coaching staff, the culture, and how they practice are other things I love about Georgia Tech.”

Simply put, the battle for Stevenson is far from over, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. But as the months roll on and the standout ACC commit shows interest in Michigan, the program received a surprising defensive announcement.

Michigan’s revamped defense ready to dominate

Michigan may have sent stars like Kenneth Grant, Josaiah Stewart, Mason Graham, and Will Johnson to the NFL, but don’t sleep on the defense just yet. The Wolverines finished top 10 nationally in total defense last year, and they’re not backing down. In the ReliaQuest Bowl, 9 of this season’s projected defensive starters held a loaded Bama offense to just 13 points. However, one name that popped? Safety Brandyn Hillman. The junior is stepping into the spotlight—and this reloaded unit is ready to remind everyone: Michigan still hits hard on defense.

Now, Hillman is stepping into a starting role — and he’s not lacking confidence. On the Locked On Wolverines Podcast, the junior safety said it plainly: “We’re the best group in the country up front and in the back end.” Then Hillman pointed to the ReliaQuest Bowl as proof, where Michigan’s young defense held its ground without stars like Graham and Grant. “It’s never a step off… You still out there getting to the quarterback,” said Hillman.

So, with rising talents like TJ and Tevis Metcalf, Jyaire Hill, and Jacob Oden around him, Hillman believes 2025 could be a monster year for Michigan’s defense. Let’s see if they can live up to the hype.