Welcome to the Recruiting Roundup, our two-times-per-week series breaking down the latest developments on the recruiting trail for the Michigan Wolverines. We’ll keep you up to date on the top targets, the visits they take, the predictions that analysts make, and everything in between. Here’s what you need to know today…
Nation’s top RB goes in-depth on Michigan interest
Michigan has become known for its bruising run game, producing a plethora of talent at the running back position. The Wolverines landed the top running back in the 2026 recruiting class in Savion Hiter, and they are eyeing the top back in the 2028 class as well.
Four-star Kevin Hartsfield is the No. 1 running back and the No. 35 overall player in the 2028 recruiting class, and Michigan is recruiting him hard, led by position coach Tony Alford.
“It’s just a great relationship with him,” Hartsfield told On3’s Ethan McDowell ($). “He’s a cool dude. He always checks on me, and everything’s really not about football. He checks on me outside of football. He taught me some things. He teaches me a lot, actually. He’s not even my coach, but he teaches me a lot.”
Hartsfield has been to Ann Arbor before, but he wants to come back for a game to get the full experience.
“It was interesting,” Hartsfield said. “I liked it. I want to get up there for a game so I can really see more.”
Hartsfield currently attends Newton High School in Covington, Georgia, but his family is actually from Ohio. Fortunately, his dad is liking what he is seeing from Michigan, and that’s a good sign.
“I ain’t gonna lie,” Hartsfield said. “At first, coming from a family that’s from Youngstown, Ohio, that’s a school that nobody really likes … My dad actually likes Michigan due to the relationship with the coach. For my dad to like them, it makes me like them, so they’re definitely up there.”
Other top contenders include Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama and many more.
Big Ten foe leads race for four-star QB
One quarterback to watch in the 2028 class for Michigan is four-star Tristin Gaines. The No. 14 quarterback in the 2028 class currently attends Waller High School in Waller, Texas.
The good news for the Wolverines is Gaines will be in Ann Arbor during the weekend of the UTEP game. The bad news is that right now, Oregon appears to be leading the way in his recruitment.
“Oregon is a standout for sure,” Gaines told Rivals’ Sam Spiegelman ($). “Coach (Dan) Lanning, coach Koa (Ka’ai), coach (Michael) Johnson, and coach (Drew) Mehringer have all been reaching out almost every day. Oregon is the team recruiting me hardest. The coaching staff, the offensive style they run really fits me and my athletic abilities.”
While the Ducks are in the lead right now, it doesn’t sound like the Wolverines are too far behind.
“Michigan is also another one that has been coming at me hard, that has been wanting to get me on campus,” Gaines said. “Will be visiting there this fall. Michigan has just been on the phone with me consistently getting to know me and my family. Talking ball. The program also speaks for itself.”
Gaines has been impressed with quarterbacks coach Koy Detmer Jr.’s body of work throughout his career, and Michigan should have a good opportunity to change the tide in this recruitment during his upcoming visit.
“He keeps it real with me,” Gaines told On3’s Ethan McDowell ($) of Detmer. “He told me they’re not going to kiss no butt to nobody. Everywhere they went, they won so far. I like the way he coaches. I’m going up there this fall, most likely, so I’m looking forward to that.”
You can’t fault a quarterback for picking Oregon over Michigan right now, and that is why this season will be so important. If recruits like Gaines see Bryce Underwood and the Michigan offense take significant strides under the new coaching staff, the Wolverines see more recruiting success on that side of the ball.
Four-star WR breaks down Michigan interest
The new coaching staff also has something to prove to wide receivers. If the Wolverines are going to land commitments from talented speedsters like 2028 four-star Ryan Richmond-McDavis, they need to show they are going to be utilized properly.
Richmond-McDavis is the No. 152 player in the 2028 class, and he currently attends Cardinal Ritter College Prep in St. Louis. The 5-foot-11, 160-pounder is thrilled Michigan is showing interest in him.
“Hey, it’s Michigan!” Richmond-McDavis told On3’s McDowell ($). “With the history they’ve built, it’s a blessing to be recruited by the University of Michigan.”
Now, Richmond-McDavis needs to evaluate his options and see which school best fits his needs, which include the following:
“Do you guys have a history of developing guys and getting them to that next level?” he said. “I want to ask the coaches, but I ask like the players about the relationships here that they built. Is it a good environment to be in? And also the education aspect of it. I take my books real serious.”
It also sounds like he is already forming a good bond with wide receivers coach Micah Simon.
“He’s a real honest guy, a true guy,” Richmond-McDavis said of Simon. “He’s a man of his word, and I’m big on that. And I feel like his intentions are pure.”
The next step for Richmond-McDavis is getting to Ann Arbor this fall for a visit. Nothing is set just yet, but he did say that he is “definitely planning to get down there.”