The Michigan football program has secured a significant recruiting victory with the commitment of five-star EDGE Carter Meadows from the 2026 recruiting class. Meadows, a highly sought-after prospect, chose the Wolverines over formidable Big Ten rivals Ohio State and Penn State, as well as South Carolina. This commitment marks a massive win for head coach Sherrone Moore and is expected to further elevate Michigan's already impressive recruiting surge.

Hayes Fawcett first reported Meadows' decision, stating, “BREAKING: Five-Star EDGE Carter Meadows has Committed to Michigan, he tells me for @on3recruits.” Meadows, who stands at 6’6” and weighs 235 pounds, conveyed his enthusiasm for joining the Wolverines, proclaiming, “I thank God for guiding me through it all. I’M HOME. Go Blue!!〽️〽️”

While On3 ranks Meadows as a five-star recruit, 247Sports identifies him as a four-star prospect. Regardless, he is positioned as the #34 player overall in the 2026 class, the #5 EDGE, and the top player in Washington, D.C., where he attends Gonzaga High School.

Meadows' scouting report describes him as a “spider-like pass rusher with exceptional physical specs,” noting that his “sack total has yet to match the big-league potential.” He possesses the ability to give opposing offensive tackles trouble with his stride length, allowing him to “run the arc and right into the quarterback.” Primarily operating as a 5-technique in a four-man front, Meadows often wins with his top-tier athleticism, combining adequate get-off with “slippery inside-outside agility.” However, his future pressure rate will depend on further technical development, as he demonstrates the “levers to chop and swipe his way around the corner like few others.”

Beyond his pass-rushing capabilities, Meadows makes his share of stops in backside pursuit due to his closing speed. Yet, the scouting report suggests he needs to improve at “crushing blocks and holding his turf” to become a consistent every-down defender. Overall, he is viewed as a high-upside edge player with the potential to develop into an “absolute game-wrecker at the Power Four level and then an early-round NFL Draft pick” if he is receptive to coaching and embraces strength training. His spatial awareness, honed on the basketball court, also suggests he could be effective in a hybrid off-the-ball role, dropping into zones and impacting passing lanes.

This commitment from Carter Meadows significantly alters the landscape for Michigan’s 2026 recruiting class. Not long ago, the class had fewer than 10 commits and was not considered a top-10 contender. Following this latest development, Michigan is now actively recruiting among the best programs in the nation, with Meadows’ pledge being a key factor in this drastic improvement.