Michigan football might be known for a few premium position groups — running back, offensive line, and defensive line particularly stand out. But safety has quietly been a plus unit for the Wolverines in recent years. Players like Lano Hill, Josh Metellus, and Dax Hill have all gone from the maize and blue to the NFL in recent years, while the depth inside the room of late — Rod Moore, Makari Paige, and Quinten Johnson — helped keep the middle of the defensive backfield secure.
Now the Wolverines are looking for the next group after bringing in three four-stars in 2025. And they’re looking good for one player who pretty much the whole nation covets.
Chace Calicut reveals top three schools
It will be a tough pull if the Michigan Wolverines can do it, but 2026 Houston (Tx.) North Shore four-star safety Chace Calicut is an elite defensive back, ranked No. 161 overall according to the 247Sports Composite. He dropped his top three schools over the weekend, and it’s Michigan, Texas, and Georgia.
Michigan was supposed to get the final visit on June 20, but Calicut changed his plans and will be in Ann Arbor a week earlier. Texas has been considered the favorite and has three 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions. However, it’s seen as a Wolverines-Longhorns battle, so the maize and blue will have a chance to grow an insurmountable lead before Calicut visits Austin.
Recent defensive back recruiting
Calicut is listed at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds and is rated highest on Rivals at No. 54 overall. Michigan has actually done a more solid job recruiting safeties than it has cornerbacks in recent years, though Will Johnson was indeed a five-star corner.
As noted, the Wolverines brought in three four-star safeties this past cycle — Kainoa Winston, Elijah Dotson, and Jordan Young — and also got a few high-end transfers at the position, such as TJ Metcalf and Jaden Mangham.
It may take some work on his official visit to get Calicut to view Ann Arbor as superior to Austin and Athens, but Michigan, at least, has a fighting chance.
