Bear McWhorter didn’t waste any time charting his next move. The former Michigan offensive line signee in the 2026 class has officially committed to Auburn, just days after being released from his National Letter of Intent.
At 6-foot-3.5 and 293 pounds, McWhorter is a powerful lineman out of Georgia who had been a key piece of Michigan’s recruiting class before the recent coaching shake-up. His release came in the wake of head coach Sherrone Moore’s dismissal - a move that’s already begun to ripple through Michigan’s 2026 commitments. McWhorter becomes the second high-profile prospect to pivot elsewhere, following four-star tight end Matt Ludwig’s commitment to Texas Tech after securing his own release.
Now, McWhorter’s decision to land at Auburn raises some eyebrows, and not just because of the timing. His recruitment had largely come down to two schools: Michigan and Alabama.
Given that context - and the fact that he was named after legendary Crimson Tide coach Bear Bryant - Tuscaloosa seemed like a natural destination. But instead, McWhorter is heading to Alabama’s archrival, where he’ll suit up for first-year head coach Alex Golesh and a Tigers program looking to reestablish its identity in the SEC trenches.
It’s a significant pickup for Auburn, especially as Golesh builds out his first full recruiting class. McWhorter brings size, versatility, and SEC-caliber toughness to a unit that’s always under the microscope in this league. For Michigan, though, it’s another hit to a once-promising O-line haul.
The Wolverines still have four offensive linemen committed in the 2026 class: four-star prospects Malakai Lee and Marky Walbridge, along with three-stars Tommy Fraumann and Adrian Hamilton. That’s still a solid foundation, but losing a player of McWhorter’s caliber - particularly under these circumstances - underscores the challenges Michigan faces in the post-Moore era.
Recruiting is always fluid, especially when coaching changes come into play. But when a player with deep ties to Alabama ends up at Auburn, it’s more than just a flip - it’s a statement. And for Bear McWhorter, it’s a fresh start in SEC country, right in the heart of one of college football’s fiercest rivalries.