Recruiting Roundup: Top-100 OT prospect says Michigan ‘one of the biggest lineman manufacturers’

After seeing Sherrone Moore’s introductory news conference, Michigan supporters know that the Wolverines want to beat opponents the same way they did last year on their way to a national championship: by winning in the trenches and remaining physical on both sides of the football.

“We will continue to attack each day with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind,” Moore stated at the time. “And I promise you — we will smash.”

Moore’s experience as an offensive line coach and his game plan against Penn State, in which Michigan ran 32 consecutive rushing plays to defeat the Nittany Lions in Happy Valley, indicate that he enjoys smash-mouth football, and his recruitment strategy has reflected this.

In this edition of the Recruiting Roundup, we’ll look at three recruits who have the potential to improve Michigan’s smash mouth approach.

Top-100 OT recruit calls Michigan ‘one of the biggest lineman factories’

Moore’s promotion to head coach demonstrates that Michigan prioritizes offensive line play. With Moore on the coaching staff, the Wolverines have had a lot of success on the offensive line, and recruits like 2026 top-100 offensive lineman Tyler Merrill have taken note.

“Michigan is arguably one of the most prolific lineman factories in college football.” “They definitely have a big program, possibly even a dynasty forming,” Merrill told 247Sports’ Tom Loy ($). “Coach Moore recruited me in the summer last year and I’ve been nothing but excited to get back to Ann Arbor to see what coach Moore is building there at Michigan.”

According to the 247Sports composite, Merrill is the greatest interior lineman in the 2026 class, the 65th-ranked player in his class, and the third-best recruit from Pennsylvania. Merrill has had offers from over 20 schools, including Penn State, Ohio State, Nebraska, Rutgers, and South Carolina, in addition to Michigan. Merrill told Loy that he’ll be back in Ann Arbor on April 7.

“One of the first things I look at in a program is how they will develop me as a player, but also a student-athlete,” he said. “My knowledge of Michigan isn’t complete, but definitely top of my list.”

Four-star OL target plans to visit Michigan for fifth time

Rowan Byrne, a 2025 four-star offensive lineman, is quite familiar with Ann Arbor. He’s been to Michigan four times, including last summer’s barbecue at the Big House and just last month with new offensive line coach Grant Newsome.

In an interview with The Wolverine’s EJ Holland ($), Byrne praised Michigan’s ability to develop offensive linemen, similar to Merrill.

“Michigan is still high in my recruitment because of the way the offensive line has played the last couple of years,” Byrne went on to say. “They have had the greatest offensive line for the past three years. They won the national championship. They’ve been one of the most successful teams in the past three years. They have prioritized me. I have a wonderful relationship with the coaching staff. I believe they’ve had 11 combine invitations in the last three years. “They do an excellent job of developing men.”

Byrne, who is ranked just outside the top 30 among offensive linemen in his class and the best 2025 recruit from New York according to the 247Sports composite, is a priority for the Wolverines. As Holland indicated, he was the first recruit Newsome encountered on the road during the contact period.

Byrne hopes to make a decision this summer, but he will return to Ann Arbor before then.

“I will be there for spring practice,” Byrne stated. “I truly enjoy being out there. I enjoy being in Ann Arbor. I really want to watch Coach Newsome coach. I know coach Newsome will do an excellent job, but I want to see it in person.”

Four-star RB planning to visit Ann Arbor twice in the coming months

One of the most anticipated recruiting events in the coming months is Michigan’s spring game, where a few recruits will be in attendance to watch the scrimmage firsthand.

2025 four-star running back Iverson Howard has indicated that he will attend the event.

In addition, Howard told TMI’s Brice Marich ($) that he plans to use one of his official visits to Michigan.

Howard is regarded as a top-30 running back in the 2025 class and is just outside the top-350 on the 247Sports composite. In January, the Maryland native named Michigan to his top ten list, which also included Maryland, Penn State, Wisconsin, and Florida.

There are currently no projections for Howard, although he may be swayed after the spring game or his official visit.

“Michigan definitely works its way up to the top of my board,” Howard went on to say. “I think of Michigan as a top program and I definitely will be looking more into it.”