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On300 EDGE McHale Blade commits to Michigan

On3 imageby: Ethan McDowell06/09/25ethanmmcdowell
McHale Blade Edge oo (136)
McHale Blade

Michigan secured a critical member of its defensive line class Monday evening with a commitment from McHale Blade. The disruptive edge rusher from Chicago (Illi.) Simeon High picked the Wolverines over Notre Dame, USC, Nebraska and others. 

Blade officially visited U-M June 6-8, and that weekend with the program proved to be a pivotal stretch in his recruitment. Notre Dame, long considered the favorite for the No. 155 recruit in the country, hosted him more than any other school, but the Wolverines prevailed in the end. 

He announced the news on social media, just one day after his weekend at Michigan. The nation’s No. 21 edge rusher raved about the trip to On3’s Chad Simmons. 

“I always have a great time when I visit Ann Arbor and it is starting to feel like home,” Blade said. 

A prediction from On3’s Steve Wiltfong followed up the visit Monday. Clearly, Michigan turned the tides of this recruitment in its favor this weekend. Academics are important here, and the Wolverines have a lot to sell in that department. He also spent plenty of time with his future teammates during the official visit, which helps. 

“Michigan is very high up on my list,” Blade said. “Since I’ve been in Ann Arbor multiple times, my main goal was to really just get around the players more and I accomplished that goal this weekend. This school is definitely a good fit for me.”

Blade is the No. 4 recruit in Illinois. He checks in at 6-5, 255 pounds and brings some intriguing versatility to Michigan’s defensive line class as someone who could rush off the edge or slide inside if needed. 

Defensive line coach Lou Esposito is his primary recruiter. He holds 27 Power Five offers, including Oregon, Georgia and Florida. Blade visited Michigan five times, including an April 12 spring practice visit. 

“I brought my whole family down, and we really enjoyed the experience,” Blade said in a previous interview with The Wolverine. “It was fun. I can see the direction the program is headed. The way they were practicing was pretty intense. They were focused and dialed in. They are ready to get after it this season.”

The On300 pass rusher also stopped by campus for two game days last fall. Before his recruitment-deciding summer trip to Ann Arbor, Blade also took OVs to Purdue and Wisconsin. He also planned officials to Notre Dame and USC for later this month.

He’s the second edge commit in this class, joining three-star pass rusher Tariq Boney, and the program’s eighth pledge overall.

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