Michigan will open the 2026 season without one of the most intriguing young players on its defense.
Five-star freshman edge rusher Carter Meadows has been ruled out for Saturday night’s game against Western Michigan, according to Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press, who reported that a Michigan program spokesman confirmed Meadows’ status. No reason for his absence or timetable beyond Saturday’s game has been announced.
The news removes one player I was particularly interested in seeing during Kyle Whittingham’s debut. Meadows arrived at Michigan as a 6-foot-7, 252-pound freshman after being one of the headliners of the Wolverines’ 2026 recruiting class. Michigan lists him as a defensive end after signing him out of Gonzaga College High School.
More importantly, this wasn’t supposed to be a ceremonial freshman season. Meadows had been generating legitimate fall-camp buzz, with Michigan’s coaches repeatedly mentioning him among the young defensive players who had impressed…