Michigan makes big move in On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings after landing pair of pledges

After inking the nation’s No. 6 recruiting class last cycle, it’s been a bit of a slower start for Michigan on the 2026 trail. That’s starting to change, thanks to a pair of commitments on Saturday.

Newbury Park (Calif.) four-star quarterback Brady Smigiel and Washington D.C. St. John’s three-star EDGE Tariq Boney have each jumped in the mix for head coach Sherrone Moore and the Wolverines. As a result, U-M has made a sizable move in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

After beginning the day with the No. 42 class nationally, the Wolverines now sit at No. 26 overall, jumping the likes of Missouri, Ole Miss, Arkansas, North Carolina, Mississippi State and UCLA.

Smigiel is the latest big QB recruiting victory for Michigan. He ranks as the No. 92 recruit and No. 9 QB in the cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

“We have been all over the country and Michigan stands out with anyone in the country,” Smigiel’s father and head coach Joe told On3’s Steve Wiltfong. “The combination of academics and athletics is unmatched.”

Looking at Michigan’s 2026 class to date

Smigiel is the top-ranked commit in the class. The former Florida State pledge chose U-M over South Carolina, Washington and UCLA. He’s also the No. 14 player in California this cycle and won a CIF state title in 2024.

“He’s super accurate. I think one of the things he doesn’t get much credit for he moves better than people think,” private quarterbacks coach Danny Hernandez previously told On3 about Smigiel. “He knows how to create space. That’s a big deal for the bigger guy. You see smaller guys able to do it but he does it well for a big guy. He’s able to throw from different angles which I think is impressive and there isn’t a throw he can’t make. He’s going to be good with the drive ball, the layer ball and the touch ball.”

Boney is the No. 4 player in D.C. this cycle. He visited Ann Arbor earlier this spring and Michigan quickly built momentum in his recruitment.

“Just the rich history,” Boney told Wiltfong about why he chose U-M. “Their ability to develop guys. Just the coaches. It was the right fit.”

Jacksonville Mandarin four-star cornerback Brody Jennings is a top-300 recruit and has been committed since last July. Despite taking visits elsewhere this spring, the blue-chip defensive back remains pledged to the Big Ten program.

Cartersville (Ga.) Cass three-star interior offensive lineman Bear McWhorter chose U-M over Alabama at the end of February. He rounds out the class alongside Dallas Parish Episcopal three-star wide receiver Jaylen Pile.