National Signing Day: RB Jonathan Brown signs with Michigan Football

The Wolverines officially landed another running back from Ohio, as three-star Jonathan Brown has signed to play for Michigan Football.

• Height: 6-foot-1

• Weight: 200

• Hometown: Columbus, Ohio

• Ranking (247 composite): No. 739 overall, No. 45 RB, No. 37 Ohio

Browns’ recruitment was a very mysterious and quiet one, as he reported an offer from Michigan on June 19 and committed just three days later. He reported other offers from schools like Rutgers, Army, Air Force and others.

From On3’s EJ Holland: “Michigan quietly extended an offer to Brown this summer after he camped in front of the staff twice. Brown put up impressive testing times, running a 4.55 40-yard-dash and posting a 40-inch vertical. He also measured in at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds. Brown was named RB MVP at a recent on-campus camp in Ann Arbor.

“Brown is definitely a sleeper. Michigan running backs coach Tony Alford has strong ties in Ohio and has recruited the state in the past. He discovered Brown and watched him camp twice. Michigan was always going to take two backs this cycle, and he decided to press for Brown, who has upside. Michigan is still all in on five-star running back Savion Hiter. This take does not change that. Brown gives Michigan an option in case they miss on Hiter. If they do land Hiter, they have a second running back with a high ceiling and potential.”

There is a major logjam at the running back position, especially when you factor in fellow 2026 prospect, five-star Savion Hiter. There should be no expectations for Brown contributing offensively as a true freshman, and it may be a stretch to say he would contribute as a second-year player as well. The path to playing time for him is to wait it out as the likes of Jordan Marshall, Bryson Kuzdzal, Jasper Parker and even Hiter work their way through Ann Arbor and onto the professional ranks. There may be a path to special teams work early in his career, but nobody should anticipate him receiving carries until later down the line.

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