Meet Michigan football's top-12 2026 recruiting class

Free Press sports writer Tony Garcia breaks down the Michigan football class of 2026 recruits who have made their commitment to the Wolverines official during the early signing period and who are committed and expected to sign on National Signing Day on Wednesday, Feb. 4.

*Listed in order of prospect ranking.

Michigan football recruiting class commitments for National Signing Day

CB Ernest Nunley

School: Western (Anaheim, California).

Vitals: 6 feet, 180 pounds.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Four stars, No. 995 overall, No. 85 CB, No. 77 in CA.

The buzz: Nunley, who was originally committed to Cal before decommitting following the Bears’ coaching change, is an upside play for new coach Kyle Whittingham and his staff. Nunley will work his way into a remade secondary under assistant coach Jernaro Gilford, which has seen the departures of Elijah Dotson (Missouri), TJ Metcalf (Tennessee), Jaden Mangham (Purdue), Brandyn Hillman (Virginia), Jayden Sanders (Notre Dame) − but now brought in Christopher Bracy (Memphis), Smith Snowden (Utah) and Salesi Moa (Utah).

LB Ndi Etta

School: Liberty Christian (Argyle, Texas).

Vitals: 6-1, 215.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: N/A.

The buzz: Sunday brought the Wolverines a commitment from Etta, who is the younger brother of U-M defensive tackle Enow Etta. A 6-foot-1, 215-pound linebacker in the class of 2026 from Liberty Christian High School in Argyle, Texas – just outside of Fort Worth – the younger Etta took an official visit to Ann Arbor over this past weekend. Etta does not have a profile or a listing among 247Sports’ composite rankings. He recorded 68 tackles (including 17 for loss), 10½ sacks, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and more than 20 quarterback pressures as a senior.

Michigan football recruiting class signees for 2026 in early signing period

DL Carter Meadows

School: Gonzaga College High School (Washington).

Vitals: 6 feet 6, 225 pounds.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Five stars, No. 6 overall, No. 2 edge, No. 1 in DC.

The buzz: One of the most explosive players in the nation, Meadows has a basketball background – with reported Division I offers – before he focused on football. His athleticism makes him a future NFL talent. Even though he remains a bit raw, don’t be surprised if he makes an impact in 2026.

UPDATE: Michigan football signing day in flux for 2 key recruiting commits

RB Savion Hiter

School: Louisa County (Mineral, Virginia).

Vitals: 5-11½, 200.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Five stars, No. 8 overall, No. 1 RB, No. 1 in VA.

The buzz: Michigan might have had a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in 2025 if it not for injuries. Will both decide to stay in Ann Arbor as Hiter enters the fold? Hiter has drawn comparisons to Omarion Hampton – who starred at North Carolina under current U-M offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey. The 17-year-old should compete for playing time immediately, as his numbers (1.52 10-yard split, 4.12 shuttle, 36-inch vertical jump) astound.

WR Travis Johnson

School: Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, Virginia).

Vitals: 6-3, 185.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Four stars, No. 107 overall, No. 14 WR, No. 3 VA.

The buzz: Michigan already had a true freshman make an impact at wideout in 2025 in Andrew Marsh, and there’s a possibility for another in 2026 with Johnson. His big size and advanced skills for his age, could help him crack the rotation quickly. “Projects as a potential multi-year starter and a possible impact player at the Power Four level that can settle in as a trusted option in the huddle,” Andrew Ivins, director of scouting for 247 Sports, wrote.

DL Titan Davis

School: De Smet Jesuit (St. Louis, Missouri).

Vitals: 6-4½, 270.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Four stars, No. 114 overall, No. 13 DL, No. 2 in MO.

The buzz: A huge defensive lineman, Davis could fit the Enow Etta mold, playing inside or outside depending on his growth and the Wolverines’ need. He held offers from programs such as Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Oregon, Texas and Texas A&M but landed on Michigan over the summer.

“Projects as a potential multi-year contributor and possible impact player for a College Football Playoff contender,” Ivins wrote.

OL Malakai Lee

School: Kamehameha (Honolulu).

Vitals: 6-6, 318.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Four stars, No. 144 overall, No. 14 OT, No. 2 in HI.

The buzz: Lee is a prototypical tackle with verified 36-inch arms and an 85-inch wingspan. Just as importantly, he’s light on his feet and moves extremely well for his size, a major reason he’s one of the top 15 offensive tackle prospects in America.

He’s one of analysts’ favorite U-M players in this cycle: “If he hits his ceiling, he will be playing football for a very long time,” Ivins wrote.

CB Jamarion Vincent

School: Waco Connally (Waco, Texas).

Vitals: 6-2, 165.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Four stars, No. 168 overall, No. 20 CB, No. 21 in TX.

The buzz: A recent addition to the class, Vincent was committed to his hometown Baylor until Sunday. He’s still light, but has plenty of room on his frame to put on at least 20 pounds. He has a basketball and track & field background, a well-rounded athlete who plays a position where twitchiness is at a premium.

He “assembled a terrific live evaluation at the Under Armour Dallas event in Feb. 2025, showcasing functional athleticism and position-specific instincts,” 247 Sports analyst Gabe Brooks wrote. “Projects to the high-major level as a potential impact player with long-term pro upside.”

DL Alister Vallejo

School: Liberty Hill (Liberty Hill, Texas).

Vitals: 6-3, 310.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Four stars, No. 205 overall, No. 20 DL, No. 25 in TX.

The buzz: Vallejo was disruptive early on the interior line in high school, recording 18 sacks, 26 hurries and five blocked kicks as a sophomore and junior. He could be an NFL pick down the line and showed cross-sport capabilities – with a 45-2 shot put rep and a 121-7 discus throw – that demonstrate explosion and can translate to the gridiron.

“Serious forward juice with impressive linear closing speed relative to mass,” Brooks wrote. “Shows promising redirecting ability. Moves around with some role flexibility in a primarily odd front. Big/strong enough to back up traffic, athletic enough to penetrate and make plays on the ball.”

OT Marky Walbridge

School: St. Sebastian’s (Needham, Massachusetts).

Vitals: 6-6, 280.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Four stars, No. 228 overall, No. 24 OT, No. 2 in MA.

The buzz: Walbridge held offers from Alabama, Ohio State, Penn State and Florida, among others, and seems to project as a tackle at the college level, given his size. A three-star when he committed, Walbridge shot up more than 200 spots in the rankings as a senior.

QB Brady Smigiel

School: Newbury Park (Newbury Park, California).

Vitals: 6-5, 205.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Four stars, No. 343 overall, No. 23 QB, No. 32 in CA.

The buzz: Smigiel was the first pledge on offense after Lindsey was hired, indicating he was a priority. He suffered a torn ACL in October, which could slow his development, but the traits are there: Size, an arm to match and a notable pedigree from a state known for pure pocket passers. In his last full season, as a junior, Smigiel completed 65.2% of his passes for 3,521 yards and 49 touchdowns against just three interceptions.

“By the time he’s done at Newbury Park, Smigiel will go down as one of the most prolific passers in California state history,” Biggins wrote. “Accurate to all three levels of the field and throws one of the best deep balls in the region. Big, strong and tough, will stay in the pocket and take a shot to deliver the football.”

EDGE McHale Blade

School: Simeon (Chicago).

Vitals: 6-5, 245.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Four stars, No. 384 overall, No. 42 DL, No. 10 in IL.

The buzz: Blade is a big-bodied edge, who recently told On3 he sees himself trending toward a Derrick Moore-type role. Committed to U-M since the summer, he had 10 tackles, six quarterback pressures and two sacks in a November game. Blade missed his junior season with an ACL injury as well as some time in his senior year with a shoulder injury, but is said to be healthy amd intends to be an early enrollee.

S Jordan Deck

School: Frisco Lone Star (Frisco, Texas).

Vitals: 6-3, 195.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Four stars, No. 395 overall, No. 30 S, No. 47 in TX.

The buzz: Athleticism runs in the Deck family, with a pair of older sisters, Mia and Kyla, who played basketball at East Texas A&M and SMU, respectively. The Wolverines leaned toward bigger bodies at nickel this year (Mason Curtis) and Deck could fill that role with a size somewhere between safety and off-ball linebacker.

“Could get on the field early on special teams on coverage/block units,” Brooks wrote. “Physical tools and functional athleticism suggest significant long-term developmental potential.”

TE Mason Bonner

School: Mullen (Denver).

Vitals: 6-6, 200.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Three stars, No. 496 overall, No. 26 TE, No. 6 in CO.

The buzz: Like several U-M tight ends – Marlin Klein and Brady Prieskorn, for example – Bonner largely played wide receiver in high school. But with his frame, he could add a good 30-40 pounds and still move around well. His basketball background should help with versatility in one of Michigan’s most productive rooms traditionally.

“Natural pass catcher who easily wins jump and 50-50 balls,” Biggins wrote. “A P4 prospect with physical tools that project well.”

LB Aden Reeder

School: St. Xavier (Cincinnati).

Vitals: 6-3, 210.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Three stars, No. 599 overall, No. 50 LB, No. 32 in OH.

The buzz: A one-time Wisconsin pledge, Reeder flipped following the Badgers’ struggles this season. He comes from a high school with Ohio pedigree, which could help him adapt a bit quicker. Reeder has played all three linebacker spots in high school, but likely projects as a MIKE in college.

“Box-checker who is athletic, big, and has great intangibles,” 247 Sports analyst Allen Trieu wrote. “As a result, projects as a college starter at a high-major program and will have a very good chance to play beyond college.”

OL Adrian Hamilton

School: St. John’s College (Washington).

Vitals: 6-2½, 290.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Three stars, No. 656 overall, No. 55 IOL, No. 3 in DC.

The buzz: Hamilton had been committed to the Hokies since July. But with Virginia Tech firing coach Brent Pry in September and hiring James Franklin last month, Hamilton reopened his recruitment. That gave U-M a path to come in and nab him on Tuesday.

ATH Markel Dabney

School: Huguenot (Richmond, Virginia).

Vitals: 6-1, 205.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: No. 738 overall, No. 47 Ath, No. 21 in VA.

The buzz: A one-time SMU commit, Dabney pivoted to the Wolverines once they were interested. Dabney most likely projects on defense, as either an outside linebacker or a nickel back.

RB Jonathan Brown

School: St. Francis DeSales (Columbus, Ohio).

Vitals: 6-1, 200.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Three stars, No. 738 overall, No. 45 RB, No. 37 in OH.

The buzz: Michigan isn’t afraid to go into Ohio and poach a running back – hey there, Jordan Marshall – and Brown is the latest to join former OSU RBs coach Tony Alford in Ann Arbor. Brown’s offer list doesn’t match that of a usual U-M commit – Rutgers was the only other Power Four offer – but Alford clearly sees something he likes.

EDGE Tariq Boney

School: St. John’s College (Washington).

Vitals: 6-1, 235.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Three stars, No. 767 overall, No. 76 edge, No. 5 in DC.

The buzz: Boney earned an invite to the Under Armour All-American game – on the first Saturday in January – which speaks to his upside. St. John’s is a bit of a U-M pipeline; it’s also the alma mater of safety Quinten Johnson and return man Eamonn Dennis, as well as another commit in this year’s class, offensive lineman Adrian Hamilton.

OT Tommy Fraumann

School: Loyola Academy (Wilmette, Illinois).

Vitals: 6-7, 250.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Three stars, No. 767 overall, No. 67 OT, No. 19 in IL.

The buzz: A former Miami (Ohio) commit, he’s a double U-M legacy, with a linebacker father (Bob) who won a national championship in 1997 and a mother (Katie) who was a women’s basketball captain as a senior in 2000-01. “Excellent student. Intangibles all around are excellent,” 247 Sports’ Allen Trieu wrote. “Played left tackle during his high school career. Whether or not he stays there at the Big Ten level will depend on if he keeps his bend and feet as he adds weight.” He will likely redshirt as a freshman as he adds size.

QB Tommy Carr

School: Saline.

Vitals: 6-3½, 195.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Three stars, No. 857 overall, No. 44 QB, No. 16 in MI.

The buzz: Certainly the most well-known last name in this class, Tommy Carr is the grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr, while his older brother, CJ, had a fantastic 2025 as Notre Dame’s starting QB. Tommy was previously committed to Miami (Ohio), but flipped to U-M earlier this fall.

WR Jayden Pile

School: Parish Episcopal School (Dallas).

Vitals: 6-1, 187.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: Three stars, No. 1,215 overall, No. 185 WR, No. 170 in TX.

The buzz: He doesn’t have the same buzz as other wideouts in this class, but Pile could be a diamond in the rough. At least, that’s what former NFL QB Robert Griffin III believes – Pile played for his seven-on-seven team over the summer. “Strong, route technician who knows how to create separation and will run by you too,” the former Heisman Trophy quarterback wrote. “Michigan fans you got yourself a playmaker at WR who lives for the big moments.”

LB Kaden Catchings

School: Hartfield Academy (Flowood, Mississippi).

Vitals: 6-2, 220.

247 Sports’ composite ranking: No. 1,401 overall, No. 116 LB, No. 40 in MS.

The buzz: Catchings is an under-the-radar prospect at linebacker, with 29 tackles and two sacks in eight games through mid-November. It’s unlikely he will factor into the defense in 2026, but there’s an outside chance at some special teams reps and an opportunity to grow in a usually talented linebacker corps.

LS Colton Dermer

School: Sandra Day O’Connor (Glendale, Arizona).

Vitals: 6-2, 230.

247Sports’ composite ranking: N/A.

The buzz: Dermer earned a five-star rating from Kohl’s Kicking Camps, was a 2025 Fiesta Bowl All-State selection and a two-time (2024-25) 6A All-Region Long Snapper honoree (first team).

Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football recruiting class for 2026 in the top 12