Wolverine recruiting report: The battle for 5-star WR Ryan Wingo

Michigan’s football program hasn’t landed a five-star receiver since Donovan Peoples-Jones in the 2017 class.
It’s hoping it could end the drought this cycle. St. Louis (Missouri) University five-star Ryan Wingo is one of the Wolverines’ top remaining targets in the 2024 class.
RANKING: No. 23 overall prospect nationally and No. 2 in Missouri. He is ranked as the No. 7 wide receiver, according to the 247Sports Composite.
SIZE: 6-foot-2, 205 pounds
THE BATTLE: Wingo has racked up a whopping 42 reported offers spanning from schools coast to coast. He has taken official visits to Michigan, Texas, Georgia and Missouri and is considering visiting Texas A&M, Miami and Tennessee in the fall.
WHAT ARE MICHIGAN’S CHANCES? Wingo recently told 247Sports that he doesn’t plan on committing until December, so the Wolverines still have time to continue to make a run at the talented wideout.
The fact that he took an official to Ann Arbor this summer is notable, and there is a chance he returns for a game this fall. He also attends the same high school as Michigan true freshman receiver Fredrick Moore.
If the Wolverines are more balanced offensively this season instead of deploying their run-heavy approach they’ve utilized the past few seasons, they could become a more intriguing option for Wingo.
Landing a player of his caliber won’t be easy, especially with recruiting powers like Georgia, Texas, Miami and A&M in the mix, but it helps Michigan has a top-tier quarterback already in the fold this cycle with Jadyn Davis.
“I’ve been to Michigan a few times and went to the Michigan State game last year,” Wingo told 247Sports. “I had a good official visit and I like the recruiting class they’re bringing in. I’m close with Jadyn Davis and talk with him all the time. I sat with him at the Michigan State game last year and I knew he really liked Michigan a lot. The players have been great with me there and I love the tradition at Michigan so I’m giving them a strong look.”
With a decision date not until December, another successful season on the field could go a long way in Michigan’s pursuit.
However, it appears Jim Harbaugh’s program has some ground to make up. As of now, Texas holds the only 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction to land Wingo.
“I liked it at Texas a lot and the players were really welcoming to me,” Wingo said. “That’s what stood out most for me was being around the players and how they took me in. They have a great QB room and I like the offense a lot. Coach Sark (Steve Sarkisian) is a great offensive coach and they get the ball down the field to the receivers so there’s a lot to like there.”
WHAT’S THIS GUY DO?: According to the scouting report from 247Sports analyst Allen Trieu, Wingo “comes from a running back family but has the speed and pass-catching ability to play receiver or see a hybrid role in college. And has a leaner, high-cut build where he can play receiver but could also still motion into the backfield and be handed the ball some. Not only has track speed but has some wiggle, although he runs by defenders more than he makes them miss in a phone booth. That twitch can be seen as a route-runner also. Catches the ball well away from his frame and tracks it well over the shoulder. Is a good route runner currently but can still continue to add more craft and diversify his route tree as he gets older. Dangerous return man who can continue being a kick returner in college. Not the kind of player that has to be put in a box -- he is an offensive threat and scoreboard changer at the next level no matter how he touches the ball.”
THE MICHIGAN NEED: The Wolverines missed out on Charlotte (N.C.) Providence four-star receiver Jordan Shipp this week, taking a key target off the board. Michigan still has a spot open for another receiver and could expand its board, but Wingo is by far the most talented option. The other two receiver pledges this cycle – four-star I’Marion Stewart and three-star Channing Goodwin – are both 6-foot-1 and considered more of slot-types than true outside threats. With Cornelius Johnson and Roman Wilson likely leaving after this season, Michigan doesn’t have any other established vertical threats on the team. Rising 6-foot-3 sophomore Darrius Clemons, a top-150 recruit last cycle, has that potential but only had one catch as a freshman.