Michigan Judge rules two Wolverines eligible for 2026 football season

October 14, 2026

A Michigan judge has cleared the way for two standout recruits to join the Wolverines football program in 2026, granting a temporary restraining order that allows Alex Bauman and Jeremiah Earby to compete for roster spots. Bauman, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound tight end from Miami’s 2024 national championship team, recorded 18 receptions for 166 yards and a touchdown last season, while Earby, a 6-foot-2 defensive back from Boise State, amassed 94 tackles, five interceptions, and 15 pass deflections over two years.

Both players are currently enrolled at Michigan but have yet to sign officially, with a preliminary hearing set for November 4 to determine their eligibility for a fifth year of competition. The Wolverines left roster openings with the expectation that Bauman and Earby could fill them, addressing key needs on both offense and defense.

Michigan (3-2) will next face Penn State on October 17 in Ann Arbor, seeking to build momentum ahead of a potential roster boost next season.