How Michigan will attack 2024 WR recruiting moving forward

Michigan has two wide receivers committed this cycle in four-star Chicago (Ill.) Kenwood prospect I’Marion Stewart and three-star Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day prospect Channing Goodwin, the son of former U-M offensive lineman Jonathan Goodwin.

Both Goodwin and Stewart are consistent pass catchers that will start off in the slot. While Goodwin lacks in the speed department, he always finds a way to get open on short-intermediate routes and is about as dependable of an option as you get on third downs. If you need to move the chains, Goodwin is your guy.

Stewart brings a little more speed and juice to his game as well as the ability to play on the outside. Michigan wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy compared Stewart to Roman Wilson on his official this summer. While not a true burner like Wilson, Stewart is quick in the open field and has the ability to take the top off a defense. He’s also a very craft route runner and knows how to create separation.

With Goodwin and Stewart in the class, Michigan is now turning its attention to finding a true big-bodied outside receiver.

The Wolverines were close to doing just that with three-star Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day wide out Jordan Shipp, who visited on a number of occasions this offseason. However, Shipp opted to stay close to home and committed to North Carolina over the weekend.

While Shipp wasn’t ranked high, the Wolverines made him a top target and invested a ton of resources in his recruitment. It was a tough loss on the trail. There is just no way around it.

So how will the Wolverines move forward at the position?

Michigan is going to shoot for the stars with five-star St. Louis (Mo.) University prospect Ryan Wingo, who made an official visit last month. The perceived leader for Wingo has changed on multiple occasions over the course of the process. First, it was Notre Dame. Then, it was Georgia. Now, it’s Texas.

With Wingo’s recruitment being so fluid and the fact that he’s not making his decision until December, Michigan still believes it has an outside shot. Wingo’s official visit went well, and the Wolverines are working to get him back for a game this fall. No, Michigan doesn’t have NIL firepower, but another strong season on the field could really open Wingo’s eyes.

Aside from Shipp and Wingo, Michigan opted not to bring in any other big-bodied wide receivers for official visits last month. But with Shipp off to UNC, the Wolverines could circle back to guys like four-star Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas prospect James Madison , who is committed to Missouri, and three-star King George (Va.) High prospect Mekhai White. Both made unofficial visits in the spring and expressed high interest.

The Wolverines could also circle back to guys they liked early on in the process like On300 Virginia Beach (Va.) Green Run prospect Keylen Adams and three-star Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton prospect Debron Gatling. Both have ties to the Midwest and are worth exploring.

Overall, this will be a slow process. Michigan is going to take its time as it continues to play the long game with Wingo. The Wolverines also want to evaluate some senior film before really making a move and zeroing in on other targets at the position.

Lastly, Michigan is continuing to make Top 100 Burley (Idaho) High prospect Gatlin Bair a top overall priority. However, Bair is still slated to go on a two-year mission upon graduation, meaning he would be part of the 2026 recruiting class. Remember, mission kids don’t sign National Letters of Intent but rather non-binding agreements.

Still, Bair remains one of the more important recruits of the cycle thanks to his world class speed. Bair ran in the 10.2s and would be an absolute game changer for U-M’s offense. Michigan has the lead on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, but a visit to Boise State this month looms large. He is slated to make a decision in August.

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