Wolverine Digest

BREAKING: Michigan football lands four-star defensive lineman in the 2026 class

The Wolverines added their No. 8 commitment to the 2026 class.

Trent Knoop

Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Michigan football landed its No. 8 commitment in the 2026 class after a successful recruiting weekend. Four-star DL McHale Blade is now the newest member of the class after he committed to the Wolverines.

The 6-foot-4, 245-pound lineman is ranked as the No. 169 overall player and the No. 21 defensive lineman, according to the Composite.

The Chicago (IL) Simeon prospect picked Michigan over Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Purdue, and Illinois, among others. On3's Steve Wiltfong previously predicted Blade to land with the Irish before changing his prediction on Monday following Blade's weekend official visit.

Blade told On3 following his OV to Michigan, that the Wolverines made him feel like a big priority, and Ann Arbor was really starting to feel like home.

He is now the second defensive lineman committed in the the Wolverines in the 2026 class. Blade joins edge rusher Tariq Boney.

- Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI -

More Michigan News:

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Vikings are on a 'three-year window' to win a Super Bowl with J.J. McCarthy as the starting QB

Ron Bellamy talks Michigan football transfer WRs and what they bring to the table: 'Explosive'

For additional coverage of University of Michigan athletics:

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Trent Knoop
TRENT KNOOP

Trent began writing and covering Michigan athletics back in 2020. He became a credentialed member of the media in 2021. Trent began writing with Sports Illustrated in 2023 and became the Senior Writer for Michigan Wolverines On SI for the 2024 football season. Trent’s love of sports and being able to tell stories to fans is what made him get into writing.

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