Has Sherrone Moore lost his magical touch in recruiting? Or was snagging Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 recruit of the 2025 class, from LSU just a fluke? Because when it comes to Michigan’s 2026 class, head coach Moore does not seem to have the same grip he had a year back. To put things in perspective, the Wolverines ranked 6th in the 2025 recruitment rankings, with a total of 24 commitments, including two five stars, 14 four stars, and eight three stars. The program ranked just behind the National Champions Buckeyes, who had 26 commitments.

However, a year later, the Wolves are not even a top-10 program. As per On3’s 2026 Recruitment Rankings, Michigan ranks 15th with just eight commitments and multiple misses. Four-star Deshonne Redeaux went to USC, Javian Osborne chose Notre Dame over Michigan, Javian Mallory went to Miami, and so on. With this, Moore refuses to hit the snooze button and is in alert mode 24×7. Now, when it’s about the 5-star of the 2027 class, he did not waste any time diving in. After all, Ryan Day and Ohio State have already planted their flag in the hot recruit’s heart.

When it’s about the nation’s top-rated defensive tackle, five-star 2027 Texas lineman Jalen Brewster, the college football programs are already losing their sleep. The young chap has already risen to the spotlight after officially accepting his invitation to the 2026 Navy All-American Bowl – a much-coveted jersey that only 100 football players have the honor of wearing each year.

The 6-foot-3, 300-pounder, explosive front-line defender also occasionally played running back for his high school and scored four rushing touchdowns last season. 247Sports’ analyst Gabe Brooks said he “projects as a high-major interior D-line force who could become [a] serious impact player.” And Michigan’s head coach can’t afford to be late for the party, as the young chap has already visited Oklahoma, Oregon, SMU, TCU, and Texas A&M.

On June 9, Brewster tweeted, “#AGTG I am blessed to receive an offer from Michigan University.” But guess who broke Moore’s sleep? Has to be Ryan Day, who is acing his recruitment game for the 2026 class so far.

Now, come on, we all know about the good ol’ archrivals Michigan and Ohio State. Things got really dirty last year when the 2024 National Champions Buckeyes lost at the hands of the Wolverines, who could not even punch the playoff tickets. So, isn’t it obvious that this rivalry will also enter the recruiting trail?

The Buckeyes left a deep mark in Brewster’s heart as their efforts showed in his two-day trip. On the first day, he met the Buckeyes’ defensive line coach Larry Johnson, Day, and other members of the Buckeyes’ football staff and toured the team’s facilities and Columbus. The review? Heart-touching. Brewster noted, “The visit was great, I ain’t going to lie. I love how the culture is based off brotherhood and how you can’t do anything without your brothers. That’s how you win football games, is with your brothers. The culture and the family stand out, the players are all really tight with each other. Everyone feels like family.” Moore must have thought that ‘this is the time’ when Brewster confidently said Ohio State is among the top two schools he’d consider.

Now, while the Michigan head coach is chasing the 2027 recruit, he’s got too many things on his plate right now…

Michigan’s late start in 2026 recruiting leaves Sherrone Moore playing catch-up

When it comes to the 2026 roster buildup, the Michigan train is already running late. While USC has already snagged 27 recruits, Ohio State is running with 13 recruits, the Wolverines are at No.17 with only seven recruits. Michigan’s 2026 class has three 4-stars and four 3-stars. However, their luck for a 5-star recruit is yet to favor. Right now, someone has caught Moore’s attention. That’s none other than James Franklin’s former wide receiver commit, Jerquaden Guilford.

On June 5, On3 analyst EJ Holland tweeted, “Michigan is looking to make a move with former Penn State WR commit Jerquaden Guilford.” The three-star wide receiver from Northrop High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, announced his commitment to the Nittany Lions in December 2024. However, it took him two months to walk back on his commitment. As usual, here too, Moore will have to prove himself as the best among Guilford’s other pursuers.

Guilford will be on the road, going from school to school throughout this month. The wide receiver has finished his official visit to Indiana and Michigan. He will fly to Tennessee on June 13 and to Ohio State on June 20. Even though the wide receiver is tight-lipped about the frontrunner in this race, Holland spilled some inside scoop about how Sherrone Moore and co. poured in extra efforts in bond-making. “U-M wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy has done a great job of developing a relationship with him and those around him. We should have more clarity on where U-M stands after the visit.” Can Moore bottle the Underwood magic and make it a repeat recipe for success?