Joshua Dobson didn’t leave Michigan much room to dream for long.
The five-star cornerback, who had just announced his commitment to South Carolina, briefly stirred up speculation that he might still be open to other schools after all. That included Michigan, which had been one of the major programs chasing him. But Dobson quickly stepped in to clear the air and make his position unmistakable.
“To address the confusion from my comments, I want to make something very clear: I am 1000% committed to USC 🤙🏽. Go Gamecocks!
During the interview, the reporter asked me how it felt now that the recruiting process was over. My response was that it's far from over because I still…”
Dobson followed that up with a fuller explanation on July 4, 2026, saying the remarks that caused the buzz were about timing, not wavering commitment.
“To address the confusion from my comments, I want to make something very clear: I am 1000% committed to USC. Go Gamecocks!
During the interview, the reporter asked me how it felt now that the recruiting process was over. My response was that it's far from over because I still have to make it official by signing in December.
That answer was about the timeline-not my commitment. I'm locked in, excited for what's ahead, and ready to get to work.
Spurs Up.”
That clarification shut the door on any flip talk. Dobson made it clear that while nothing becomes official until the Early Signing Period in December, his intent is to play for South Carolina.
For Michigan, it was a missed chance at a huge addition. Dobson, a North Carolina product, has drawn 31 total offers and sits at five stars in the 247Sports Composite. He’s ranked as the No. 3 cornerback in the country, the No. 1 player in North Carolina, and the No. 17 prospect overall in the 2027 class.
Still, the Wolverines have plenty going on in their 2027 push. Kyle Whittingham has already landed 20 commitments, and the cornerback room in that class already includes Monsanna Torbert Jr., Tavares Harrington, Blake Jenkins, and Darius Johnson.
Torbert’s recent pledge over Ohio State and Indiana gave Michigan fans something extra to enjoy, especially after he took a shot at the Buckeyes. So while Dobson would have been a major win, Michigan’s class is still moving in the right direction.
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