Massive Recruiting Target Schedules Official Visit to Michigan
It was just after 8:00 a.m. on a humid June morning when the recruiting world shifted ever so slightly.
Caleb “Tank” Riddick, the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect in the class of 2026 and the undisputed top defensive lineman in the country, announced on social media that he had scheduled an official visit to the University of Michigan. The date: June 21st. The buzz: deafening.
A 6-foot-6, 295-pound force of nature out of Buford High School in Georgia, Riddick has been on the radar of every Power Five program since he was a sophomore. His combination of speed off the edge, violent hand usage, and the kind of closing burst usually reserved for elite pass-rushing linebackers has drawn comparisons to former Alabama great Quinnen Williams. Coaches across the country refer to him in hushed tones as a “program-changer.”
Riddick’s visit to Ann Arbor will mark his fifth official and final visit of the summer, following trips to Georgia, Alabama, Texas, and Oregon. According to insiders, the Wolverines had been longshots early in his recruitment, but a relentless push from new defensive line coach Larry Knight and head coach Sherrone Moore has vaulted Michigan into serious contention.
“Caleb’s a thinker,” said Buford head coach Bryant Daniels. “He’s not just going to the highest bidder. He’s looking at culture, development, and who’s going to push him to be great. That’s what made Michigan intriguing to him.”
Indeed, Michigan’s recent track record with defensive talent, including the development of 2024 top-10 NFL pick Mason Graham, has impressed Riddick. He’s spoken privately about the appeal of Michigan’s scheme under new defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale, and the opportunity to anchor the line in a system built around versatility and NFL preparation.
The June 21st visit will include a tour of Michigan Stadium, one-on-one time with the academic staff, a film session with Martindale, and a BBQ dinner hosted by Moore himself. Insiders say Michigan will roll out the maize and blue carpet, with key current players like Kenneth Grant and Will Johnson expected to play host.
“It’s not about hype for him,” said Riddick’s father, Charles. “He wants to be somewhere that mirrors the kind of intensity and discipline we’ve built in our family. We felt something different with Coach Moore. That visit could be a game-changer.”
While Georgia remains the presumed frontrunner, the decision to take an official visit to Michigan has added serious intrigue to a recruitment already marked by twists and silence. Riddick rarely grants interviews and has kept his top schools close to the chest, making every move significant.
Now, as the countdown begins toward his trip to Ann Arbor, Michigan fans are daring to believe: the Wolverines are in the hunt for the biggest fish in the 2026 cycle — and they just might land him.
