ANN ARBOR – Michigan’s football program has lost another recent signee in its 2026 recruiting class.
Bear McWhorter, a three-star offensive lineman out of Cass High in Georgia, was released from his financial aid agreement he signed last week, a Michigan spokesperson confirmed to MLive on Friday.
His decision comes two days after head coach Sherrone Moore was fired for engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.
“In light of recent events, I’ve made the very difficult decision to withdraw my NLI,” McWhorter posted on X. “I’m grateful to the staff at UM for everything they’ve done.”
The 6-foot-4, 300-pounder is the second Wolverines 2026 signee to reopen his recruitment since Moore’s dismissal, joining four-star tight end Matt Ludwig.
Michigan signed 27 recruits during last week’s early signing period – a group that was ranked 11th in the country and featured 11 top-250 prospects.
McWhorter, named after Alabama coaching legend Bear Bryant, was one of Michigan’s first verbal pledges this cycle, choosing the Wolverines over the Crimson Tide in February. He is the No. 514 overall prospect and No. 40 interior offensive lineman nationally, per the 247Sports composite rankings.
Biff Poggi, who served as acting head coach for two games in 2025 with Moore suspended, has been named interim coach as the university conducts a search for a full-time replacement.
“One way or the other, I think the longer they have to sort of sit in limbo, I think the greater the chance there is for some of the recruits to leave,” 247Sports recruiting analyst Allen Trieu told MLive Thursday before the Wolverines had any departures in the class. “I think moving swiftly is probably the biggest factor. I understand that you don’t rush a hiring process just to save one recruiting class, but if we are talking about the biggest thing that can keep this class together, I think it’s making sure that they know who the next coach is within a timely manner.”
