The college football recruiting landscape is ever-changing, and the University of Michigan’s 2026 recruiting efforts recently took an unexpected turn, particularly with two of their top offensive line prospects. Heading into the past weekend, the Wolverines were in a strong position to land commitments from two highly-rated linemen: Leo Delaney and Carter Scruggs. However, after recent developments, both prospects appear to be leaning toward Clemson.
Leo Delaney, a four-star offensive lineman from Providence Day School in Charlotte, North Carolina—the same high school that produced current Michigan quarterback Jadyn Davis—was widely projected to commit to Michigan. Recruiting outlet 247Sports had the Wolverines as the clear frontrunner. Delaney, ranked No. 130 nationally by the On3 Industry Rankings, was seen as a likely addition to Michigan’s 2026 class.
However, a pivotal official visit to Clemson last weekend shifted the momentum dramatically. According to Chad Simmons of On3.com, Clemson has now emerged as the leader in Delaney’s recruitment. The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine reflects that change, giving Clemson a commanding 93% chance to secure Delaney’s commitment. The 6-foot-5, 275-pound prospect is expected to announce his college decision in July, and while he’s still scheduled to make an official visit to Ann Arbor, it’s unclear if that trip will happen. If Michigan can get him on campus, they might still have a shot at regaining ground, but the odds have narrowed considerably.
Similarly, the Wolverines are facing a setback in the recruitment of Carter Scruggs, another top-tier offensive line prospect. Scruggs, a four-star offensive tackle ranked No. 154 nationally, was recently named Michigan as a finalist in his recruitment. He is expected to visit Ann Arbor later this month. However, Clemson has also surged ahead in this battle. According to Simmons, Scruggs came very close to committing to the Tigers recently.
The 6-foot-5, 290-pound Scruggs now has a 77% chance of choosing Clemson, based on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. Although Michigan is set to host him for an official visit this upcoming weekend, it remains to be seen whether that visit can change the trajectory of his recruitment.
In both cases, Michigan is facing steep competition from a resurgent Clemson program that has quickly made up ground. While official visits could still play a decisive role, the Wolverines will need to make a significant impression to reverse the current trends and keep these top targets from slipping away.
