CHICAGO -- While much of the offseason hype for Michigan football has surrounded one freshman five-star, the other's hype is just getting started.
Former five-star running back Savion Hiter was an early enrollee and showcased a bit of his skills in the April spring game, but fellow five-star in the 2026 class, edge rusher Carter Meadows, just arrived, and doesn't have the benefit of having 15 practices already under his belt.
However, what Meadows has done is make the most of his opportunities before fall camp starts. As a high school senior, Meadows came in at 225 pounds according to the recruiting services. But he's bulked up, first before arriving on campus, and then again in summer conditioning. So, when asked about the nine summer enrollees,
it was Meadows who head coach Kyle Whittingham waxed ecstatic about at Big Ten media days.
"I'm going to say Carter Meadows, the defensive end," Whittingham said. "I think he's going to be a special player. He's 6-foot-6-plus, maybe 6-7. He's put on 15 pounds since he's been there. I think he's 255 now, and you talk about an athlete and a guy that looks the part.
"He looks the part. We haven't had him in pads yet, but I'm excited to see what he can do."
Senior defensive tackle Trey Pierce works in the same unit as Meadows and is likewise excited about the prospect. It appears that Meadows will be in the mix as one of the six players in rotation at defensive end, and like Whittingham, Pierce can't wait to see how he looks once fall camp arrives.
"Yeah, he's a big boy," Pierce said. "Big boy who can move really good. So I'm excited to see what he does in fall camp, and I can't wait to see him in pads, see what he can do."
The challenge for the Washington D.C. native is less about honing his physical tools as much as it's acclimating to the college game at this stage. The early enrollees have a little more of an upper hand because they have more time on task, arriving at the start of the winter semester. But the summer enrollees have to go through the traditional bridge program, which takes them out of part of fall camp as they get a jump on the student aspect of being a student-athlete.
Even still, Pierce is sure that Meadows will do well and be able to acclimate quickly so that he can be a part of the vaunted rotation this fall.
"It's super tough, especially at a place like Michigan, because of how our admissions is the way it is," Pierce said. "And as an incoming freshman, like, the things you have to do in the summer while in fall camp, it's just a lot to take on, but I've seen guys do it. I've seen guys succeed in it, and I think Carter has what it takes."
Fall camp is set to begin next week with eyes on the September 5 season opener against Western Michigan at 7:30 p.m. EDT at The Big House.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham praises freshman Carter Meadows
