Top 10 QB: ‘Spectacular’ visit with ex-Penn State football staffer, new Michigan OC leads to commitment

Former Penn State football analyst and new Michigan offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell made a quick but lasting impression on Brady Hart, one of the top available quarterbacks in the 2026 recruiting cycle. Hart left his first visit to Ann Arbor with glowing reviews of the ex-Nittany Lions staffer, subsequently committing to the Wolverines on Tuesday.

In an interview with EJ Holland of On3, Hart raved about his first visit with Campbell and head coach Sherrone Moore last weekend.

“It exceeded my expectations,” Hart told Holland about the visit. “It’s an amazing place. It was spectacular.”

Hart was highly impressed with the bravado of first-year offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell, who he described as a “confident” playcaller.

“It exceeded my expectations. It’s an amazing place. It was spectacular."

Top 100 QB Brady Hart (@BradyHartQB) goes in-depth on his first Michigan visit, conversations with a 'confident' @CoachKCampbell and much more #GoBlue. https://t.co/NdOX21LqES pic.twitter.com/DI5AhHBjBv

— "EJ Holland" (@EJHollandOn3) June 17, 2024

Kirk Campbell spent a half-decade under the James Franklin coaching tree, first joining the Penn State football staff as an analyst in 2017. The Nittany Lions went a combined 31-8 during Campbell’s three years with the program, including wins in the Fiesta Bowl and Cotton Bowl.

He then followed Ricky Rahne to Old Dominion, serving as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Campbell joined the Michigan staff in 2022 before being elevated to quarterbacks coach last year.

A West Allegheny High School graduate, Campbell was named the Wolverines’ next offensive coordinator by Sherrone Moore in February.

Campbell helps Michigan land top 2026 quarterback Brady Hart

Brady Hart’s recruitment with Michigan developed rapidly after the strong introduction to Sherrone Moore and Kirk Campbell this weekend. 

After a wave of recruiting insiders predicted that Hart would end up as a Wolverine, the 2026 quarterback made it official, committing to Michigan on Tuesday afternoon.

BREAKING: Four-Star QB Brady Hart (2026) has Committed to Michigan, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’5 190 QB from Melbourne, FL chose the Wolverines over LSU, Clemson, & Ohio State

Ranked as a Top 10 QB in ‘26 (per On3 Industry)

“Michigan is Home!! GoBlue 〽️”… pic.twitter.com/OyXJw3KBMo

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 18, 2024

On3’s Industry Rankings rate Brady Hart as the No. 9 quarterback in the 2026 recruiting cycle, while the 247Sports Composite places him at No. 7. The Cocoa, Florida, quarterback is the No. 92 prospect nationally in both outlet’s synthesized rankings.

Where will Penn State football go at quarterback in the 2026 recruiting cycle?

© TOM E. PUSKAR/MANSFIELD NEWS JOURNAL / USA TODAY NETWORK

Although Penn State football only hosted Brady Hart on campus once this spring, the hope was that the young quarterback would become a larger part of the Nittany Lions’ plan as the 2026 recruiting cycle progressed.

But as dominos of the class have fallen into place in recent weeks, it may soon be time for the Nittany Lions to take a step back and reassess where things stand.

Penn State currently has 12 offers extended to signal callers in the 2026 cycle, according to On3. Three have already made commitments, most recently Dia Bell to Texas on Monday.

Of the 12 extended offers, On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine currently gives the Nittany Lions the strongest chance of landing four-star Ashland, Ohio, quarterback Nathan Bernhard.

With Sean Clifford, Drew Allar, and Ethan Grunkemeyer, James Franklin and Penn State football have developed a liking for Ohio quarterbacks. Much like Allar and Grunkemeyer, Bernhard is also under the tutelage of esteemed quarterback guru Brad Maendler.

Proteus assessment group this morning at QB Excelerate. The actionable performance improvement data we can drive from @ProteusMotion technology is absolutely fantastic. Game changer!#QBX🎯💪🌪 pic.twitter.com/HndlJ0PbH6

— Brad Maendler (@BradMaendler) May 11, 2024

The No. 17 quarterback in the class, Bernhard has been to Happy Valley four times, most recently in March.

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