NHSCA Junior Champion Michael White to Minnesota

Minnesota’s Class of 2026 continues to grow after a huge commitment from one of the fastest-rising prospects in the senior class. #39 overall Michael White (Lawrence North, IN) has given the Gophers staff a verbal commitment - giving Minnesota four top 100 recruits from the Class of 2026 and six Big Boarders overall. 

White is currently ranked 21st in the nation at 190 lbs. He is a two-time Indiana state placewinner, taking sixth as a sophomore and making the state finals at 190 lbs in 2025. 

White burst onto the scene last spring when he won a 16U title at Folkstyle Nationals. Last fall, White was a finalist at IndianaMat’s Hoosier Preseason Open. After making the Indiana state finals, White went out and captured a championship at NHSCA Junior Nationals. A month later, he finished seventh at the UWW U17 World Team Trials in freestyle. 

While White announced his commitment today, he is not kicking back and celebrating. At least in the traditional sense. White is competing at the NHSCA Duals and knocked off #2 Saleh Tsarni (MD) in the tournament’s Round of 16. 

Already in the Gopher Class of 2026 are #25 Tyler Dekraker (Chantilly, VA), #79 Mason Carlson (Syracuse, UT), #93 Cooper Rowe (Mound Westonka, MN), #121 Titan Friederichs (Watertown, MN), #200 Trey Beissel (Hastings, MN), along with unranked Joel Friederichs (Watertown, MN. The majority of these recruits are in the 133/141/149 range, so White’s addition will be much needed. The Gophers graduated Big Ten champion and All-American Isaiah Salazar at 197 lbs. His immediate replacement is likely redshirt sophomore Gavin Nelson. Having White aboard shores up this weight for the long term. 

This spring, White had also taken visits to Oklahoma, Purdue, and Virginia Tech before choosing Minnesota. 

White jumped into MatScouts Class of 2026 Big Board at #39 despite not being noted at all during the last update. We’ll see how this young man continues to ascend. 

For Minnesota’s Class of 2026: Click Here

For more information on Michael White’s incredible backstory, check out the Indianapolis Star’s feature.