The Big Ten just got spicier—We’re talkin’ chaos, scandal, and a recruit who’s still rockin’ with Michigan despite the program lookin’ like it’s got more drama than a soap opera. With NCAA heat, Bryce Underwood hype, and a two-game suspension hitting Sherrone Moore right in the middle of his rebuilding year, you’d think recruits would be sprinting the other direction or SEC or even ops program. But one elite 4-star wideout? He just doubled down like he’s betting the house on maize and blue.
So here’s the scoop. On May 16th, four-star wide receiver Travis Johnson told the On3 crew exactly how he feels: “I love Michigan. I can’t wait to get back out there.” That wasn’t just lip service. That was a full-blown message to the rest of the Big Ten—and especially Penn State, who’s been in his ear heavy—that Ann Arbor still feels like home. Johnson, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound freak of nature from Oscar Smith High in Virginia, is a top-150 talent in the 2026 class. And Michigan? They’re treating him like WR1.
“I love Michigan. I can’t wait to get back out there.”
On300 WR Travis Johnson (@TravisJohnson4_) talks Michigan, upcoming official visit, decision timeline and more #GoBlue. https://t.co/NaI1y69cvD pic.twitter.com/zbgL0wzTGR
— “EJ Holland” (@EJHollandOn3) May 16, 2025
This wide is 6’3 tall, fast, and smooth in his routes—he’s got that Nico Collins type of swagger on the field per Michigan scouts. Big catch radius. 50/50 balls? More like 80/20 when he’s out there. And with Bryce Underwood expected to take over the offense in near future, the blueprint is crystal clear: surround the QB1 with skyscraper receivers who can moss anybody. Johnson fits that prototype to a tee. Think tall, lanky, and lethal. And let’s not forget—his momma, Ms. Tiffany Johnson? She’s loving every visit too. And when mom’s happy, a commitment usually isn’t far behind.
Michigan’s wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy’s been in this recruitment like white on rice. Johnson’s visited Ann Arbor three times already, with an official locked in for June 13. Each time, him and his fam post up on social media like they just came back from a family reunion. “Feels like home,” they say. That’s nothing to shrug off, especially when schools like Penn State and Georgia are hovering like vultures. The real concern is; West Virginia. The Mountaineers loved this kid. Travis Johnson has been to Morgantown one too many times.
The Wolverines know they need Travis. Their receiving corps needs that shot of juice—someone who can turn third and long into a highlight reel. And they’re putting in that work. But as aggressive as Michigan’s been, let’s not act like it’s a done deal. Penn State’s not just watching. They’re pushing. Hard. And Georgia? Kirby Smart don’t ever sit quiet when he sees a top receiver still on the board.
But here’s where things get tricky…
Sherrone Moore’s situation is not getting better
While Michigan’s locking in elite talent, their head coach is out here tryna dodge NCAA missiles. Moore, who took over after Jim Harbaugh moonwalked to the NFL following a sign-stealing scandal, isn’t exactly chillin’ in his office right now. He’s catching heat too—and it’s hot enough to melt steel. Let’s rewind. The Wolverines got slapped with an investigation back in 2023 over Connor Stalions and his “football espionage” operation. Harbaugh took the heat back then, sat three games, and still snatched the Natty. Then he dipped. Moore? He’s left holding the bag.
Now, Moore’s under fire for deleting 52 text messages with Stalions during the initial probe—something the NCAA takes real personal. So what’s Michigan do? They try the ol’ “self-punish before the hammer drops” ahh move. Moore’s suspended for two games—conveniently against cupcakes Central Michigan and Nebraska—while still coaching the Oklahoma showdown in Week 2. Man, this is damage control 101.
Joel Klatt is not buying it either. “Let’s be incredibly honest about it,” he said. “It is self-serving for Michigan.” He called the move strategic, not disciplinary, and warned that something big—maybe even financial—could be on the way. And that’s not just smoke. On the May 15 episode of the Michigan Football Report, James Yoder said it plain: “Brace yourself for maybe four or six games. Two games might not cut it.” Basically, the NCAA ain’t fooled. They know what time it is, and this could get worse before it gets better.
What makes it messier? Sherrone Moore’s already got a rap sheet. During the COVID-19 dead period, he made illegal contact with recruits. That got him a one-game slap on the wrist. But now? With this text-deleting drama, the NCAA sees him as a “repeat offender.” That label ain’t just embarrassing—it’s dangerous. It opens the door for postseason bans, harsher penalties, and a whole mess of bad PR.
AD Warde Manuel says he hasn’t talked postseason bans with the NCAA yet. But Michigan insiders like Sam Webb suggest the self-imposed suspension might not be enough. “If the NCAA comes back and says ‘this isn’t sufficient,’ then all bets are off,” Webb warned. That’s a major red flag. Because if Moore ends up sidelined for a third of the season, it’s gonna mess with everything—from game prep to recruiting momentum.
And that’s where Travis Johnson’s commitment—or lack of one—becomes critical. In a time where everything feels up in the air, he’s been one of the few stable, positive storylines. But let’s not act like his decision won’t be impacted by what goes down with Sherrone Moore.
The silver lining? Michigan’s still fighting like hell. The staff isn’t taking their foot off the gas in recruiting. Bellamy’s building that trust with Johnson’s family, and the WR room’s being rebuilt for a Bryce Underwood-led future. If Sherrone Moore can weather the storm—and that’s a big if—then Johnson could be a Day 1 starter in 2026.
So yeah, Michigan’s in the middle of a hot mess. But somehow, in the chaos, they’ve still got a shot to land one of the best receivers in the country.
The post Despite Sherrone Moore’s Uncertain Future, Elite Prospect Sends Strong Message to Michigan Amid Aggressive Push From B1G Rivals appeared first on EssentiallySports.
