In the past few years, the Wolverines have had a simple strategy: dominate up front. That strategy led to three straight Big Ten titles, three straight College Football Playoff appearances, a national championship, and four straight wins over Ohio State. And with the 2026 recruiting class starting to come together, it’s clear that the strategy is showing no signs of slowing down.
Michigan football has continued to add to both lines — offensive and defensive — in 2026, with players such as four-star offensive tackle Malakai Lee and four-star edge rusher McHale Blade choosing the Wolverines over a litany of top schools across the country. But the latest addition for the maize and blue is about as big as it gets.
After battling multiple schools, namely Ohio State, for Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga edge rusher Carter Meadows, Michigan ended winning out, with Meadows having announced his commitment to the Wolverines.
Meadows had offers from Ohio State, Penn State, South Carolina, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and others.
Scouting report
Here’s the scouting report on Meadows from 247Sports:
Spider-like pass rusher with exceptional physical specs, but one where the sack total has yet to match the big-league potential. Can give opposing offensive tackles fits just with his stride length as he can run the arc and right into the quarterback. Has spent much of prep career attacking from a 5-technique in a four-man front. Wins more times than not with his top-flight athleticism as he pairs adequate get-off with slippery inside-outside agility, but further technical development will dictate pressure rate on Saturdays and beyond as he’s got the levers to chop and swipe his way around the corner like few others. Makes his fair share of stops in backside pursuit with his closing speed, but has to get better at crushing blocks and holding his turf if he’s going to make a living as an every-down defender. Should be viewed as a high-upside edge player that has a chance to develop into an absolute game-wrecker at the Power Four level and then an early-round NFL Draft pick if he can soak up coaching and embrace the weight room. Might be worth a look in a hybrid off-the-ball role as spatial awareness fostered on the basketball court allows him to drop into zones and affect passing lanes.
Junior highlights
The state of the 2026 class
Meadows joins Blade and three-star Tariq Boney as fellow edge rushers in the 2026 class. The Wolverines also have defensive tackles Alister Vallejo and Titan Davis committed, as well.
Coming in at 6-foot-6.5 and 225 pounds, Meadows is rated highest by On3, which has him as the No. 6 player in the country, regardless of position, and the second-best edge rusher in the nation. 247Sports has Meadows on the cusp of five-star status while Rivals is the outlier, with a ranking of No. 241 overall.
Here is the full class as it stands:
All rankings by the 247Sports Composite
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football add five-star with 2026 EDGE Carter Meadows commitment to the Wolverines
Reporting by Isaiah Hole, Wolverines Wire / Wolverines Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
