Michigan football fans, who were anxious about the 2026 recruiting class just a week ago, now have reasons to celebrate. The Wolverines have secured two significant commitments, with one big decision coming just days after another major win.
On Monday, Michigan landed a major recruit in four-star edge rusher McHale Blade from Chicago’s Simeon High School. Blade, who had been heavily recruited by Notre Dame, ultimately chose the Wolverines over the Irish, providing a huge boost to Michigan’s recruiting efforts.
But the excitement didn’t end there. Just 24 hours later, the Wolverines appeared to be on the verge of another big victory. On Tuesday morning, Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore sent out a message signaling that a commitment was imminent. The buzz was that another recruit, who had long been thought to be headed to Notre Dame, might instead choose Michigan.
That recruit, 2026 four-star defensive tackle Alister Vallejo from Liberty Hill, Texas, made his announcement on Tuesday evening, committing to Michigan over Notre Dame and Kansas. Vallejo, a player who had been leaning toward Notre Dame for much of the process, shocked many by pledging to the Wolverines despite not yet visiting Ann Arbor. His official visit is scheduled for June 13.
Vallejo, who is considered a clone of Michigan’s Mason Graham, was offered by both Michigan and Notre Dame in April. While 247Sports has Vallejo ranked as a four-star prospect, ESPN has yet to assign him a rating. With Vallejo’s commitment, Michigan has now added its first interior defensive lineman to the 2026 class, joining edge rushers Tariq Boney and McHale Blade.
This latest string of commitments marks a significant turn for Michigan, who is quickly gaining momentum on the recruiting trail after a few weeks of uncertainty.
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