Bio Blast: Meet Rivals300 Michigan defensive line signee Alister Vallejo

Rivals300 Liberty Hill (Texas) High defensive lineman Alister Vallejo officially signed with Michigan on Wednesday.

Here is everything you need to know about the talented prospect.

The Skinny

Height: 6-3
Weight: 310
Industry Ranking: No. 21 defensive lineman, No. 171 overall
Interesting Facts: Also lettered in track and field, competing in the discus and shot put. Racked up 184 tackles and 22 sacks during his four-year career at Liberty Hill. Trains with former Houston defensive lineman Carlos Chester. Is half Mexican-American and enjoys birria tacos.

Recruitment

Notre Dame was considered to be the early favorite in Vallejo’s recruitment. However, Michigan raced past the Irish and won him over in June. Other programs like Miami offered after his pledge to U-M. However, Vallejo remained solid throughout the process. Michigan defensive line coach Lou Esposito led the way in his recruitment.

He Said It

“For me, it was the relationships. Just the relationships I had with the people there like Coach Esposito. It was the best relationship in my recruiting process. The people there — not just the people I’m going to be primarily involved with — are amazing. When I went to Michigan the first time, they hadn’t offered yet, but they showed me a ton of hospitality and why it could be home. They’ve been the same since before they offered me. The relationship has not changed one bit.”

They Said It

“I’ve been in the Liberty Hill community for seven years now. My son and him are the same age, so I’ve been watching him from sixth and seventh grade football all the way up to now. He’s been a dominant defensive lineman — even from a young age. He’s also a great kid. He has a great sense of humor. He works hard in the weight room. He’s a leader on the football field — both by action and verbally. He’s everything you want in a defensive lineman.” — Liberty Hill head coach David Seaborn

Scouting Report

“Alister Vallejo is a disruptive defensive lineman and one who grows on you the more you watch the film. For starters, he has outstanding body lean and understanding of leverage. He keeps his pads down, which makes him tough to block and is a fluid, flexible athlete. That lends itself to being a high-level pass rusher and disruptor on the interior. You can see really encouraging hand usage, and when you’re projecting him for the next level, there’s a lot of foundational pieces in terms of the bend, fluidity, quick hands and coordination. Once he ties all that together, you can see his game go to another level.” — Rivals Rankings Director Charles Power