The identity of Michigan football might be somewhat changing with Bryce Underwood coming aboard to sling the football, while Chip Lindsey — the new offensive coordinator — will oversee the deployment of more of a downfield passing game.
But the ethos for the Wolverines will still likely follow that of the head coach — SMASH!
That means a dominant run game, and the maize and blue are still working to enhance every aspect of its ground-and-pound attack. This year, it meant bringing in former Alabama tailback Justice Haynes. And for next year, Michigan is going all-out trying to secure five-star running back Savion Hiter. And that makes the offensive line that much more important.
A top target sets a commitment date
One prospect that Michigan football has consistently targeted along the offensive line is 2026 Honolulu (Hawaii) Kamehameha four-star offensive tackle Malakai Lee. Lee has been a constant presence in Ann Arbor — which is saying something given the distance from his native Hawaii.
Lee is set to make it back to campus this week for Victors Weekend, his final official visit — and as it turns out, the final visit before he makes his final decision. According to 247Sports’ Brandon Huffman, Lee will make his commitment just one week later, on June 27, live on CBS Sports HQ.
Michigan has one 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction, from The Michigan Insider’s Steve Lorenz, indicating he’ll choose the Wolverines. However, the prediction was made back in Oct. 2024, and Georgia, Alabama, and Texas — his other three finalists — have all made strong pushes for him since Lee appeared to be leaning maize and blue.
The scouting report from 247Sports’ Greg Biggins:
From a traits standpoint, offensive linemen don’t come much better looking than Lee. He’s all of 6-6, 325 pounds with verified 36” arms and an 85”+ wingspan. He’s a fluid mover as well and has the feet, balance and frame to project as a tackle and could line up on either side, right or left in college. He plays a little hoops as well and checks off the multi-sport box for us. He uses his length well and has the ability to slide and mirror opposing edge rushers. He has added some physicality in the run game over the last year. He’s putting guys on their backs more but playing with a more aggressive edge to him is an area we think Lee can still improve on. Saying that, he’s an easy high Power 4 prospect and if he hits his ceiling, he will be playing football for a very long time.
The 247Sports Composite has Lee ranked as the No. 137 overall recruit in the country, regardless of position, and the 10th-best offensive tackle and second-best player in the state of Hawaii.
What Michigan currently has
The Wolverines had a big-time offensive line haul last cycle with two five-star tackles in Andrew Babalola and Ty Haywood, along with four-star guard Avery Gach and three-star center Kaden Strayhorn.
As far as the 2026 class is concerned, Michigan has just one offensive line commitment in four-star guard Bear McWhorter. But the Wolverines are in the thick of it with not only Lee, but five-star Felix Ojo (who visited two weeks ago), four-star Kelvin Obot, four-star Zaden Krempin, and others.
