Michigan flips 2026 LB Markel Dabney from SMU

Chester (Va.) Huguenot three-star linebacker Markel Dabney has flipped his commitment from SMU to Michigan, per On3’s Hayes Fawcett.

He was pledged to the Mustangs since May 13, but is now set to head to Ann Arbor, giving U-M another June commitment.

Dabney is the No. 795 overall prospect and No. 65 LB in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 16 player in Virginia.

The Mustangs nabbed a pledge from Dabney in May, but once Michigan put its foot on the gas for the Old Dominion recruit it quickly picked up steam. Dabney logged his official visit to Ann Arbor on the weekend of June 13 and that helped seal the deal for the 6-foot-1, 210-pounder.

Head coach Sherrone Moore and LBs coach Brian Jean-Mary led the charge to flip Dabney.

“Coach Moore is a great guy,” Dabney told The Wolverine. “I see all the stuff in the media, but they don’t know him at all. He’s a great person. He’s a great coach as well. I like his style of coaching. My grandfather enjoyed being around him a lot on the OV, too.”

“Coach BJ is a cool dude. He’s a laidback coach when it comes to recruiting, but he has that fire in him when it’s time to get on the field.”

Wolverines continue hot streak with Dabney flip

Dabney brings Michigan to 16 total commits. He’s also the ninth commitment of the month for the Wolverines, adding to a class that’s surging toward the top 15 of the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

Saint Louis DeSmet four-star defensive lineman Titan Davis chose the Wolverines over Alabama on Monday evening. He’s the No. 9 DL in the cycle and the second highest-ranked commit in the class, behind Newbury Park (Calif.) four-star quarterback Brady Smigiel. Mansfield (Texas) four-star wide receiver Zion Robinson committed on Wednesday.

Chicago Simeon four-star EDGE McHale Blade chose U-M over Notre Dame on June 9. One day later, Liberty Hill (Texas) four-star DL Alister Vallejo did the same. Blade checks in as the No. 155 recruit nationally.

In May, Billings (Mont.) West four-star tight end Matt Ludwig pledged. His stock continues to soar as he ranks No. 5 at the TE position, per the On300. Jacksonville Mandarin four-star cornerback Brody Jennings is still giving other schools a hard look, but he’s been in Michigan’s class since last July.

Other commits in the class include: Denver Mullen three-star TE Mason Bonner, Cartersville (Ga.) Cass three-star interior offensive lineman Bear McWhorter, Washington D.C. St. John’s three-star EDGE Tariq Boney, Dallas Parish Episcopal three-star WR Jaylen Pile and Columbus (Ohio) St. Francis DeSales three-star running back Jonathan Brown.