Sports

Michigan football to host 5-star WR Calvin Russell for key Victors Weekend recruiting push

Michigan football is wrapping up its third and penultimate big official visit recruiting weekend, and while there are some heavy hitters on campus this weekend, there are due to be even more the next.

This weekend was headlined by 2026 Mineral (Va.) Louisa County five-star running back Savion Hiter, who the Wolverines have long appeared to have the lead for — but are fending off Tennessee, Ohio State, and Georgia — but there were other big names on campus, like athlete Salesi Moa, too. But this upcoming Friday-Sunday is ‘Victors Weekend,’ the final push for some of the top overall targets for the maize and blue.

And one elusive prospect, who may be just behind Hiter on the wish list, appears set to make it to Ann Arbor.

A top wide receiver set to visit

The Wolverines have one receiver committed in the 2026 class in Dallas (Tx.) Parish Episcopal three-star Jaylen Pile. This weekend, Michigan hosted four-star Travis Johnson and had four-star Zion Robinson visit in May. But perhaps the big fish is none other than Miami (Fla.) Northwestern five-star Calvin Russell.

And according to The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich, Russell is set to visit Ann Arbor this week.

Russell has been setting his visits week by week, so for Michigan to get a visit at this juncture is big news for the Wolverines.

Scouting report

The scouting report from 247Sports’ Andrew Ivins:

Hulking wide receiver with above-the-rim athleticism that makes him a uniquely dangerous target, especially down in the red zone. Owns more of a slender build, but has measured over 6-foot-5 multiple times and is blessed with a near 6-foot-10 wingspan. Isn’t exactly the most polished route runner at this stage, but creates separation with unexpected suddenness for such a longer strider. Superb body control tends to create even more of a disadvantage for defensive backs as he wins 50-50 battles with timing and positioning. Not going to outrun every tackle, but is quick to hit the gas and can make some dynamic cuts in traffic. Spent much of freshman and sophomore seasons repping as a run first-quarterback out of necessity before settling in as a must-look option in Year 3 for a storied Miami Northwestern program that captured a 3A championship. Will need to add some body armour to a rather wiry frame in hopes of improving play strength and buy into the process at the school of his choice, but should be viewed as a potential impact pass catcher for a College Football Playoff contender that can be positioned all around the field in hopes of creating mismatches. One of those good-at-everything athletes that could legitimately play two spots in college as he’s also being recruited by basketball high majors.

Russell is rated highest by 247Sports, which has him as a five-star and the No. 21 overall player in the country, regardless of position. He’s also the third-best wide receiver and second-rated player from the state of Florida.

He’s been to Miami the most, and he’s coming off of his official there — his seventh to Coral Gables. He’s also visited Florida and Oregon three times. Russell has visited Ann Arbor before, having come to campus on March 17 of this year.

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan Wolverines target elite five-star WR for Victors Weekend

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