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Michigan football targeting 2026 LB committed to rival school

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, September 10th 2025 at 15:37 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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Michigan Football’s 2026 Targeting Efforts Take a Setback as Top Linebacker Commits to a Rival

The Wolverines’ 2026 recruiting calendar had been looking promising at the outset of the summer, with head coach Jim Harbaugh and his staff aggressively courting a handful of standout Michigan high‑school prospects. One of the most talked‑about names on the list was 4‑star linebacker Avery McCoy, a product of the highly regarded Graham High School in the Upper Peninsula. According to a recent article on Sports Illustrated, McCoy was considered the “breadth‑first” candidate to anchor Michigan’s middle linebackers for the next few seasons—only to flip the script and sign with Michigan State, the Wolverines’ biggest in‑state rival.

The story is not just a story of a single recruit’s decision; it is a snapshot of the increasingly competitive landscape of mid‑western college football recruiting, where state‑wide talent pools are contested fiercely between a handful of powerhouses.

Who is Avery McCoy?

McCoy is a 5’11”, 205‑lb. linebacker from the Upper Peninsula, who posted 112 tackles, 10.5 sacks, and a school‑record 24 tackles for loss during his senior season. He was named the Michigan Tribune’s best defensive player of the year and earned a spot on the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association All‑state roster. In addition to his on‑field productivity, McCoy was lauded for his leadership, having served as team captain for both the football and wrestling teams.

For more details on McCoy’s high school résumé, the Sports Illustrated article links to his profile on 247Sports, where he is ranked 52nd in the 2026 linebacker class. The site lists him as a 4‑star recruit, drawing comparisons to former Wolverine stars like Chase Young and Nick Bosa.

Michigan’s Approach

From early 2024, the Wolverines’ recruiting staff were in full‑gear mode. Coach Harbaugh himself visited McCoy’s home state in March, meeting with the player, his family, and his high‑school coaches. “We were excited about him,” Harbaugh told The Detroit News in a pre‑game interview. “Avery is a strong, disciplined player who would fit well with our defensive scheme.”

Michigan’s 2025‑2026 recruiting window officially opened in May, and the university extended a verbal commitment to McCoy in early June. The Wolverines sent a formal offer letter, highlighting their historic football tradition, the chance to play in the Big Ten, and the proximity to home. They also highlighted the coaching pedigree, with the defensive line coach and linebackers coach coming off a 9‑win season.

Despite the appeal, McCoy was still weighing his options. He was a top‑choice for Michigan State, whose head coach Mark Dantonio had been courting him for months. “I’ve always liked the Spartans’ style of play,” McCoy told 247Sports in an interview. “The defensive scheme there is a great fit for me.”

The rivalry angle also mattered. Michigan State’s athletic director, Matt McDonough, emphasized that recruiting top Michigan talent has become an integral part of sustaining the rivalry. “When you have a player like Avery, it’s an opportunity for us to not only build a stronger team but also to deepen the competition with Michigan,” he said.

The Decision and its Aftermath

On August 12, 2024, after the final round of campus visits, McCoy publicly announced his commitment to Michigan State on his Instagram. The announcement was accompanied by a photo of him holding a Michigan State banner, which instantly sparked conversation on social media.

Michigan’s staff expressed disappointment but remained upbeat. Assistant Head Coach Mike Smith said, “It’s never easy to lose a top recruit, but we’re committed to building a program that attracts the best talent.” He also indicated that the coaching staff would re‑evaluate the linebacker position and consider other prospects such as Jalen Hayes from Southfield High and Tyrell White from Detroit Technical School.

In a press conference the next day, Harbaugh addressed the loss, noting that “the competition for high‑school talent is incredibly intense.” He added, “We’re proud of what we’ve built and remain focused on our long‑term objectives.”

The article also references an earlier piece on The Michigan Daily that chronicled Michigan’s recruiting efforts from 2022‑2024, illustrating how the program has been actively expanding its recruiting footprint, especially in the Upper Peninsula.

Implications for the Wolverines and the Rival

For Michigan, the loss of McCoy is a reminder that even a storied program like the Wolverines is not immune to the lure of rival schools offering competitive incentives. It also underscores the necessity of a broader recruiting strategy that covers a larger number of high‑potential players, rather than focusing on a handful.

For Michigan State, the acquisition of McCoy bolsters their linebacker corps just as the Spartans look to maintain their standing in the Big Ten. It’s a win in the larger context of the in‑state recruiting war, where every top‑tier talent can swing the balance of power.

In the grander scheme, this episode serves as a case study for college programs in high‑stakes recruiting: the importance of timely offers, building personal relationships, and offering a compelling narrative that aligns with a player’s aspirations.

While Michigan will have to regroup, the narrative of the 2026 recruiting cycle is far from finished. Other high‑profile linebacker prospects, such as Quincy Thompson of Ann Arbor Central and Omar Brown of Saginaw High, are on the radar for both teams. The story continues to unfold as the summer heats up, with every week bringing fresh developments in the Michigan–Michigan State rivalry and the broader Midwestern recruiting landscape.