Michigan commits move up, down in latest On3/Rivals rankings release

On3/Rivals released its updated recruiting rankings for the 2026 recruiting class on Monday afternoon. Several Michigan commits moved up and down.

The highest ranked prospect in the class is five-star Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga EDGE Carter Meadows, who moved up one spot to No. 5 overall nationally. Meadows is Michigan’s lone five-star commit this cycle.

Ranked as the No. 2 EDGE in the country, Meadows is a tall, long pass rusher with plus athleticism and one of the highest ceilings in the class. Meadows committed to Michigan over Ohio State and others late last month.

Two other Michigan commits were featured in the Top 100. Billings (Mont.) West tight end Matt Ludwig stayed put an No. 91 overall, while Honolulu (Hawaii) Kamehameha offensive lineman Malakai Lee dropped eight spots to No. 93 overall.

Michigan’s biggest rankings riser was Liberty Hill (Texas) High defensive lineman Alister Vallejo, who moved up from a three-star recruit to the No. 269 overall prospect nationally. At 6-foot-3, 310 pounds, Vallejo projects as a three-technique and shares similarities with former Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham.

Vallejo committed to Michigan in early June over fellow finalists Notre Dame and Kansas.

Four other Michigan commits received slight bumps in this rankings release. St. Louis (Mo.) DeSmet defensive lineman Titan Davis moved up one spot to No. 111 overall, Irmo (S.C.) Dutch Fork EDGE Julian Walker moved up eight spots to No. 128 overall, Chesapeake (Va.) Oscar Smith wide receiver Travis Johnson moved up six spots to No. 131 overall and Chicago (Ill.) Simeon EDGE McHale Blade moved up one spot to No. 194 overall.

Needham (Mass.) St. Sebastian’s offensive lineman Marky Walbridge saw no movement and stayed put at No. 235 overall.

Only one Michigan commit suffered a significant drop — Newbury Park (Calif.) High quarterback Brady Smigiel. The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder fell 48 spots from No. 244 to No. 292 overall.

Smigiel was once considered one of the best quarterback prospects in the country. However, his stock has taken a hit over the last year, and he’s gradually tumbled down the rankings. Smigiel committed to Michigan in April over South Carolina.

Overall, 10 of Michigan’s 21 verbal commits were featured in the new Rivals 300.

Michigan entered the day with the No. 9 ranked 2026 recruiting class nationally, per the On3 Industry team recruiting rankings. Michigan is also ranked No. 4 in the Big Ten. USC currently has the top class in the conference.