Meet the commits: Alister Vallejo is an underrated addition to Michigan's class

Michigan landed its second defensive line commit in two days, securing a pledge from Alister Vallejo— a three-star rising senior from Liberty Hill (Texas) High. The Wolverines beat out Notre Dame and Kansas to win this recruitment.

Vallejo’s stock as a prospect climbed quickly this spring, and he added offers from Michigan and the Fighting Irish amongst others. A spring trip to Ann Arbor showed the underrated defensive lineman what he needed to see about the program. He’s the ninth commit in the class.

Here’s a look at all of Michigan’s verbal commits. 

Top 100 quarterback Brady Smigiel

Commitment Date: April 26, 2025
Hometown: Newbury Park, California
School: Newbury Park High
Height: 6-4.5
Weight: 215 pounds
Industry Ranking: No. 90 overall, No. 10 quarterback, No. 13 in California
Other Notable Offers: Oregon, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Florida, Ole Miss, Miami, Georgia

How We Got here: Smigiel strongly considered Michigan last year before Michigan took another 2026 quarterback, and he picked Florida State. Things came full circle for the signal-caller and the Wolverines when Chip Lindsey joined the staff. They already had an existing connection that built quickly after Smigiel reopened his recruitment. Michigan made him the program’s top target and sealed a commitment shortly after a multi-day spring visit. 

Top 100 tight end Matt Ludwig 

Commitment Date: May 20, 2025
Hometown: Billings, Montana 
School: Billings West High
Height: 6-4.5
Weight: 240 pounds
Industry Ranking: No. 129 overall, No. 7 tight end, No. 1 in Montana
Other Notable Offers: Georgia, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Texas A&M, Texas, LSU, Oregon

How We Got here: Ludwig shut down his recruitment before a packed official visit schedule could kick off. Michigan has been the longtime favorite for the talented tight end, and he took a few trips to Ann Arbor leading into this decision. Tight ends coach Steve Casula visited him Sunday, and Ludwig made his commitment public Tuesday. 

On300 edge rusher McHale Blade

Commitment Date: June 9, 2025
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
School: Simeon Academy
Height: 6-5
Weight: 255
Industry Ranking: No. 155 overall, No. 21 edge rusher, No. 4 in Illinois
Other Notable Offers: Notre Dame, USC, Oregon, Georgia, Ole Miss, Florida, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Miami

How We Got here: Notre Dame looked like the heavy favorite in Blade’s recruitment for a long time, but Michigan always loomed as a very real challenger for the Fighting Irish. The Wolverines the edge rusher to campus last weekend for his official visit, and that trip showed Blade that Ann Arbor was home for him. He committed to U-M Monday morning after returning home from the visit.

On300 cornerback Brody Jennings

Commitment Date: July 28, 2024
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
School: Mandarin High
Height: 6-1
Weight: 185
Industry Ranking: No. 292 overall, No. 28 cornerback, No. 41 in Florida
Other Notable Offers: Texas, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Miami, Florida, Kentucky, Texas A&M

How We Got here: Jennings was one of Michigan’s earliest commits and is now the longest-standing pledge in the class. The Wolverines identified and prioritized him early. Now, his recruitment has blown up to include a ton of SEC programs that have his interest. He recently took an OV to Auburn and has trips planned to Miami, Florida and Georgia before spending Victors Weekend in Ann Arbor. 

Three-star tight end Mason Bonner

Commitment Date: May 22, 2025
Hometown: Denver, Colorado
School: Mullen High
Height: 6-6
Weight: 200 pounds
Industry Ranking: No. 437 overall, No. 21 tight end, No. 4 in Colorado
Other Notable Offers: Miami, Penn State, Nebraska, Texas Tech, Arizona, Missouri, Kansas State

How We Got here: Michigan offered Bonner late last year and made him a clear priority from that point on. The Wolverines visited him in January and hosted him on his first visit in March. Going into official visits, he narrowed things down to just Michigan and Minnesota, setting official visits with both programs. Then, Steve Casula visited him this spring and helped lock up a commitment.

Three-star defensive lineman Alister Vallejo

Commitment Date: June 10, 2025
Hometown: Liberty Hill, Texas
School: Liberty Hill High
Height: 6-3
Weight: 310 pounds
Industry Ranking: No. 460 overall, No. 51 defensive lineman, No. 62 in Texas
Other Notable Offers: Notre Dame, SMU, Kansas, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Wisconsin, Baylor, Arisona

How We Got here: Michigan offered Vallejo April 15 and prioritized him from there. He’s an underrated interior defensive line prospect, and the Wolverines really pushed for him. Defensive line coach Lou Esposito visited him in Texas during May’s evaluation period. Then, Vallejo made trips to Notre Dame and Kansas. He did not officially visit Michigan before his decision. Turns out, he did not need to.

Three-star offensive lineman Bear McWhorter

Commitment Date: February 28, 2025
Hometown: Cartersville, Georgia
School: Cass High
Height: 6-3
Weight: 308 pounds
Industry Ranking: No. 558 overall, No. 48 interior offensive lineman, No. 61 in Georgia
Other Notable Offers: Miami, Texas, Auburn, Georgia, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Florida, South Carolina

How We Got here: McWhorter shocked many when he picked Michigan over Alabama early this year. He’s named after Bear Bryant and grew up a fan of the Crimson Tide, but no one recruited the offensive lineman harder than Michigan offensive line coach Grant Newsome. After taking a January trip to U-M, the Wolverines established themselves as the favorite for the coveted three-star prospect. 

Three-star edge rusher Tariq Boney

Commitment Date: April 26, 2025
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
School: St. John’s 
Height: 6-1
Weight: 230
Industry Ranking: No. 621 overall, No. 61 edge rusher, No. 3 in D.C.
Other Notable Offers: Tennessee, Texas A&M, Washington, Penn State, Wisconsin, Georgia, Marlyland

How We Got here: Boney picked Michigan over Cincinnati, Tulane and West Virginia. Defensive line coach Lou Esposito prioritized him this spring, and the explosive edge rusher visited in April before pledging to the program. 

Three-star wide receiver Jaylen Pile

Commitment Date: October 17, 2024
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
School: Parish Episcopal School
Height: 6-0
Weight: 178
Industry Ranking: No. 850 overall, No. 131 wide receiver, No. 127 in Texas
Other Notable Offers: Oklahoma, Penn State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Tennessee, Florida State, Auburn

How We Got here: Pile is one of the foundational members of this class. He committed last fall and remains locked in with the program. The receiver stopped by Ann Arbor for the Texas Game before making his commitment later in the fall. Pile is probably the most vocal recruiter in the class.