Five-star edge rusher **Carter Meadows** has narrowed his college choices down to **four schools**, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated commitments in the 2026 recruiting class. The Washington (DC) Gonzaga standout, ranked as the **No. 6 overall player** and **No. 2 edge rusher** in the nation, has drawn significant interest from top programs across the country [A](https://www.essentiallysports.com/ncaa-college-football-news-five-star-carter-meadows-makes-major-career-announcement-as-frontrunner-hinted-in-south-carolina-penn-state-osu-michigan/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cuZXNzZW50aWFsbHlzcG9ydHMuY29tXC9uY2FhLWNvbGxlZ2UtZm9vdGJhbGwtbmV3cy1maXZlLXN0YXItY2FydGVyLW1lYWRvd3MtbWFrZXMtbWFqb3ItY2FyZWVyLWFubm91bmNlbWVudC1hcy1mcm9udHJ1bm5lci1oaW50ZWQtaW4tc291dGgtY2Fyb2xpbmEtcGVubi1zdGF0ZS1vc3UtbWljaGlnYW5cLyIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19jb252ZXJzYXRpb25JZCI6ImpTclAzcVRyWTNId2l2WkdXZ0ZxayIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19tZXNzYWdlSWQiOiJOUEQ3Q3JCQjd5TlZGN2hxZzZKOVEifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
### The Final Four
Meadows has confirmed that his decision will come down to **Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, and South Carolina** [B](https://collegefootballnetwork.com/THE-TOP-5-SPOTS-FOR-CARTER-MEADOWS/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJqU3JQM3FUclkzSHdpdlpHV2dGcWsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9jb2xsZWdlZm9vdGJhbGxuZXR3b3JrLmNvbVwvVEhFLVRPUC01LVNQT1RTLUZPUi1DQVJURVItTUVBRE9XU1wvIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX21lc3NhZ2VJZCI6Ik5QRDdDckJCN3lOVkY3aHFnNko5USIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19jbGlja1NvdXJjZSI6ImNpdGF0aW9uTGluayJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). Each of these schools has made a strong push to secure his commitment, with official visits scheduled throughout the summer. His recruitment has been closely followed, with analysts speculating on which program will ultimately land the elite pass rusher.
### Official Visits & Decision Timeline
Meadows has mapped out his **official visit schedule**, which will play a crucial role in his final decision [A](https://www.essentiallysports.com/ncaa-college-football-news-five-star-carter-meadows-makes-major-career-announcement-as-frontrunner-hinted-in-south-carolina-penn-state-osu-michigan/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cuZXNzZW50aWFsbHlzcG9ydHMuY29tXC9uY2FhLWNvbGxlZ2UtZm9vdGJhbGwtbmV3cy1maXZlLXN0YXItY2FydGVyLW1lYWRvd3MtbWFrZXMtbWFqb3ItY2FyZWVyLWFubm91bmNlbWVudC1hcy1mcm9udHJ1bm5lci1oaW50ZWQtaW4tc291dGgtY2Fyb2xpbmEtcGVubi1zdGF0ZS1vc3UtbWljaGlnYW5cLyIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19jb252ZXJzYXRpb25JZCI6ImpTclAzcVRyWTNId2l2WkdXZ0ZxayIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19jbGlja1NvdXJjZSI6ImNpdGF0aW9uTGluayIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19tZXNzYWdlSWQiOiJOUEQ3Q3JCQjd5TlZGN2hxZzZKOVEifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1):
– **May 30** – South Carolina
– **June 6** – Penn State
– **June 13** – Ohio State
– **June 20** – Michigan
These visits will allow him to experience each program’s culture, coaching staff, and facilities firsthand. Meadows has emphasized that **team culture and player-coach relationships** will be key factors in his decision [A](https://www.essentiallysports.com/ncaa-college-football-news-five-star-carter-meadows-makes-major-career-announcement-as-frontrunner-hinted-in-south-carolina-penn-state-osu-michigan/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJqU3JQM3FUclkzSHdpdlpHV2dGcWsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cuZXNzZW50aWFsbHlzcG9ydHMuY29tXC9uY2FhLWNvbGxlZ2UtZm9vdGJhbGwtbmV3cy1maXZlLXN0YXItY2FydGVyLW1lYWRvd3MtbWFrZXMtbWFqb3ItY2FyZWVyLWFubm91bmNlbWVudC1hcy1mcm9udHJ1bm5lci1oaW50ZWQtaW4tc291dGgtY2Fyb2xpbmEtcGVubi1zdGF0ZS1vc3UtbWljaGlnYW5cLyIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19tZXNzYWdlSWQiOiJOUEQ3Q3JCQjd5TlZGN2hxZzZKOVEiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
### Michigan Leading the Race?
Among the four finalists, **Michigan appears to have an edge** in the recruitment battle. The Wolverines have hosted Meadows **twice since October**, and On3’s prediction model gives Michigan a **40% chance** of securing his commitment, ahead of Penn State at **21.3%** [C](https://www.si.com/college/michigan/recruiting/michigan-football-makes-final-four-for-5-star-edge-rusher-in-2026-class?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiTlBEN0NyQkI3eU5WRjdocWc2SjlRIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNpLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvbWljaGlnYW5cL3JlY3J1aXRpbmdcL21pY2hpZ2FuLWZvb3RiYWxsLW1ha2VzLWZpbmFsLWZvdXItZm9yLTUtc3Rhci1lZGdlLXJ1c2hlci1pbi0yMDI2LWNsYXNzIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoialNyUDNxVHJZM0h3aXZaR1dnRnFrIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). Michigan’s track record of developing elite edge rushers—sending players like **Aidan Hutchinson, Kwity Paye, and Rashan Gary** to the NFL—could be a major selling point for Meadows is expected to make his final decision **after his Michigan visit on June 20** [A](https://www.essentiallysports.com/ncaa-college-football-news-five-star-carter-meadows-makes-major-career-announcement-as-frontrunner-hinted-in-south-carolina-penn-state-osu-michigan/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cuZXNzZW50aWFsbHlzcG9ydHMuY29tXC9uY2FhLWNvbGxlZ2UtZm9vdGJhbGwtbmV3cy1maXZlLXN0YXItY2FydGVyLW1lYWRvd3MtbWFrZXMtbWFqb3ItY2FyZWVyLWFubm91bmNlbWVudC1hcy1mcm9udHJ1bm5lci1oaW50ZWQtaW4tc291dGgtY2Fyb2xpbmEtcGVubi1zdGF0ZS1vc3UtbWljaGlnYW5cLyIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19jbGlja1NvdXJjZSI6ImNpdGF0aW9uTGluayIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19tZXNzYWdlSWQiOiJOUEQ3Q3JCQjd5TlZGN2hxZzZKOVEiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJqU3JQM3FUclkzSHdpdlpHV2dGcWsifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1) [C](https://www.si.com/college/michigan/recruiting/michigan-football-makes-final-four-for-5-star-edge-rusher-in-2026-class?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiTlBEN0NyQkI3eU5WRjdocWc2SjlRIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoialNyUDNxVHJZM0h3aXZaR1dnRnFrIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNpLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvbWljaGlnYW5cL3JlY3J1aXRpbmdcL21pY2hpZ2FuLWZvb3RiYWxsLW1ha2VzLWZpbmFsLWZvdXItZm9yLTUtc3Rhci1lZGdlLXJ1c2hlci1pbi0yMDI2LWNsYXNzIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
### What’s Next?
With his visits lined up, Meadows. His commitment will be a game-changer for whichever program lands him, as he is widely regarded as one of the most dominant defensive prospects in the 2026 class.
Which school do you think will land him? Michigan seems to have momentum, but Ohio State and Penn State are strong contenders too! [A](https://www.essentiallysports.com/ncaa-college-football-news-five-star-carter-meadows-makes-major-career-announcement-as-frontrunner-hinted-in-south-carolina-penn-state-osu-michigan/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cuZXNzZW50aWFsbHlzcG9ydHMuY29tXC9uY2FhLWNvbGxlZ2UtZm9vdGJhbGwtbmV3cy1maXZlLXN0YXItY2FydGVyLW1lYWRvd3MtbWFrZXMtbWFqb3ItY2FyZWVyLWFubm91bmNlbWVudC1hcy1mcm9udHJ1bm5lci1oaW50ZWQtaW4tc291dGgtY2Fyb2xpbmEtcGVubi1zdGF0ZS1vc3UtbWljaGlnYW5cLyIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19tZXNzYWdlSWQiOiJOUEQ3Q3JCQjd5TlZGN2hxZzZKOVEiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJqU3JQM3FUclkzSHdpdlpHV2dGcWsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1) [B](https://collegefootballnetwork.com/THE-TOP-5-SPOTS-FOR-CARTER-MEADOWS/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9jb2xsZWdlZm9vdGJhbGxuZXR3b3JrLmNvbVwvVEhFLVRPUC01LVNQT1RTLUZPUi1DQVJURVItTUVBRE9XU1wvIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoialNyUDNxVHJZM0h3aXZaR1dnRnFrIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX21lc3NhZ2VJZCI6Ik5QRDdDckJCN3lOVkY3aHFnNko5USJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1) [C](https://www.si.com/college/michigan/recruiting/michigan-football-makes-final-four-for-5-star-edge-rusher-in-2026-class?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiTlBEN0NyQkI3eU5WRjdocWc2SjlRIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoialNyUDNxVHJZM0h3aXZaR1dnRnFrIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNpLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvbWljaGlnYW5cL3JlY3J1aXRpbmdcL21pY2hpZ2FuLWZvb3RiYWxsLW1ha2VzLWZpbmFsLWZvdXItZm9yLTUtc3Rhci1lZGdlLXJ1c2hlci1pbi0yMDI2LWNsYXNzIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1)
