Michigan Football Secures Crucial Official Visit from 2026 Elite OL Star, But Can They Win Him Over?

As we delve into the world of college football recruiting, it’s clear the Michigan Wolverines are in a position not unlike a seasoned quarterback on the cusp of a crucial drive. They’ve thrown a few passes, with some slipping from their grasp, but the targets they’ve been eyeing—those they truly WANT—are still right there, waiting for the play. The recruiting scene at Ann Arbor has been quieter than a Michigan football stadium in January, but that silence is giving way to the symphony of potential as spring rolls on. Official visits from top-tier prospects are being penciled in like game day rivalry matchups, bringing the promise of future glory to the maize and blue.

Just when it looked like Michigan might miss the boat—or rather, the touchdown pass—in the offensive tackle sweepstakes, an unexpected, yet welcome, twist in our narrative emerges—a longshot with a booming arm. We’re talking about John Turntine III from Fort Worth (Texas). He’s not just any prospect; he’s like finding an untouched bottle of fine bourbon in your grandpa’s basement. Our home visit, akin to a well-executed blitz by line coach Grant Newsome, might just turn the tide in Ann Arbor’s favor.

This is the drumroll moment in our grand theatrical recruitment play—will Turntine’s visit be the blockbuster hit or the box office flop? For those who like their drama served with a side of rivalries and touchdowns, LEARN MORE.For now, Michigan will host a cadre of recruits for the annual spring game. set for Saturday at noon at The Big House.At the moment, Texas is the perceived favorite for Turntine, but the Wolverines just got a high-level Texas-based OL prospect in Haywood, so a push on the visit could turn things around.

Though it appears as if the maize and blue will lose the Jackson Cantwell sweepstakes at offensive tackle, another prospect — seen not too long ago as a longshot — has emerged. 2026 Fort Worth (Tx.) North Crowley five-star offensive tacklke John Turntine III has started to turn up his interest in the Wolverines and now has set up an official visit to Ann Arbor for May 30 after offensive line caoch Grant Newsome visited him in-home this week.Michigan football recruiting has picked up but it hasn’t necessarily resulted in pledges just yet. However, the vast majority of the players that the Wolverines want remain on the board, and we’re starting to see many set official visits for late spring and the summer.

Turntine is rated the No. 31 player overall according to the 247Sports Composite, regardless of position. The Wolverines had a solid offensive line class in 2025 with five-star Andrew Babalola and four-star Ty Haywood both signing to the class. At the moment, Michigan has one offensive lineman committed in Georgia-based pledge Bear McWhorter, who turned his back on childhood favorite Alabama for the maize and blue.