Fact or Fiction: Is there already a 2026 five-star candidate?

Rivals national recruiting analyst Nick Harris, along with Josh Henschke of MaizeAndBlueReview.com, Cole Patterson of Orangebloods.com and national rankings director Adam Friedman look at three topics and determine whether they think each is FACT or FICTION.

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Harris' take: FACT. Michigan offensive line coach Sherrone Moore keyed in on Michigan legacy Blake Frazier, Max Anderson and Michael Uini early in each of their recruitments, and that confidence in their early prowess looks like it will pay off for at least Frazier and Anderson. Both have taken visits to Ann Arbor that have resulted in the Wolverines picking up FutureCast Predictions for each, while Uini's visit has shot them into the top grouping for the Central Texas bruiser. I have picks in for Frazier and Anderson, and it wouldn't surprise me if they somehow nab Uini away from the state of Texas as well before it's all said and done.

Henschke's take: FACT. Outside of the fact that Blake Frazier is a legacy recruit for Michigan, both Max Anderson and Frazier's visit to Ann Arbor could not have gone better, which is why we think the Wolverines are in line to secure the commitments of both players at some point this cycle. The two have built a strong bond with offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Sherrone Moore, as well as offensive line commits Luke Hamilton and Ben Roebuck become fast friends with the two. This combination is why we think the Wolverines will take two of the very best the state of Texas has to offer this cycle.

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Harris' take: FACT. The 2026 class is shaping up to be really strong with already a handful of prospects that could be considered for five-star status. Carrollton (Ga.) quarterback Julian Lewis may be the easiest candidate for No. 1 in the class after leading his team to a state championship appearance as a freshman along with having the requisite traits to be an elite quarterback. New Orleans (La.) St. Augustine defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart may not have the varsity experience yet, but his performances in national camps along with his 6-foot-6, 280-pound frame has him very high on recruiting boards already. Each could make a case to be a five-star upon the release of the initial rankings.

Friedman's take: FICTION. There usually are very few if any five-stars in the initial rankings for any class, but the 2026 class is already shaping up to be pretty special at the top. Players like Julian Lewis, Jahkeem Stewart, and Kendre’ Harrison already have elite traits that could put them in the five-star discussion. For now my answer is fiction but that could easily change depending on what we see out of players in the 2026 class throughout the rest of the offseason.

Harris' take: FACT. Midlothian (Texas) four-star wide receiver Bryant Wesco showed up to the Under Armour camp in Dallas and absolutely dominated everybody that stepped in front of him, and it came amid an offseason where he was already showing off the chart athleticism in track and field events. There are so many good candidates here, but Wesco's performance combined with his already developed physical traits make him a surefire candidate to see a big rise in the next rankings release.

Patterson's take: FICTION. Wesco is a great pick for this, but I will go with Terry Bussey. Bussey is a well-known commodity in the state of Texas, but his recruitment has seemingly reached another gear this offseason. Texas, Florida, Arkansas, Tennessee and Auburn are among the offseason offers, and Bussey clocked in a 4.42 40-yard dash at the UA Dallas Camp earlier this spring. His versatility to play either side of the ball makes him an intriguing prospect for several programs and a highlight reel on Friday nights.