Late-enrolling prospects are usually seen on the sidelines. That may not apply to a disruptor like Carter Meadows. If he fortifies his towering physicality, the Michigan Wolverines might just send him on the field this season.

“If there are five-stars next to your name, the fan base is going to expect big things from you right out of the gate. That’s no exception for Carter Meadows,” Nick Durand of Maize and Brew wrote. “Before he’s ticketed for a major role, though, he could stand to add some more weight and continue adding pass-rush moves to his arsenal.”

The 6’6 freshman edge from Gonzaga High has been certified as a five-star prospect from the 247 Sports Composite ranking. He is the No.6 player nationally and the No.2 defensive end.

“He’s 6-foot-6 with the range, bend and speed to get around offensive tackles in the blink of an eye,” he further added in his July 28 report. 

Benching a player like Meadows could prove to be a shortcoming on the Wolverines’ coaching staff. In his scouting report, 247 Sports’ Andrew Ivings wrote that keeping Meadows moving is the way to improve him. 

“Must keep progressing and soak up any and all coaching, but has game-wrecking potential at the Power Four level with his athleticism and physical specs,” he wrote in October, 2025.

University of Michigan reported that Meadows, in 2024, his junior year, recorded 33 tackles, with five for loss. Across six games, he racked up two sacks and one forced fumble. 

He earned a Washington Post All-Met honorable mention for his performance that year. 

His production in the following years declined. He made nine tackles in his freshman year and 23 tackles in his sophomore year. 

Meadows' playing this season depends on one major factor: the overall recovery of John Henry Daley.

Carter Meadows’ high school stats

As per head coach Kyle Whittingham’s updates, Henry Daley’s rehab is “right on schedule.” His stunning 11-game run came to an end when he hurt his Achilles.

In 2025, Henry Daley racked up 48 tackles, of which 17 ½ were tackles for loss. While his upper body feels “probably the best” it's ever been, he couldn’t get much lower-body work, per a July 24 report by Tony Gracia.  

If his injured Achilles bothers him, Meadows might land the job. 

The Wolverines have two great options in their defensive edge depth chart. Will Henry Daley return, or will Meadows get a chance to play is unknown. What do you think?

Read more at the Michigan Football Community!

Written by

Akanksha Biradar