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Top DL target Alister Vallejo commits to Michigan over Notre Dame

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Alister Vallejo

Michigan has scored another key win on the recruiting trail.

Three-star Liberty Hill (Texas) High defensive lineman Alister Vallejo committed to Michigan over Kansas and Notre Dame on Tuesday night.

Vallejo made his first visit to Michigan in the spring and felt comfortable in Ann Arbor.

“The main highlight was the hospitality,” Vallejo said. “Everybody was just so nice. It was just a welcoming environment. People are nice. Walking around, you get a Go Blue from someone. The campus was nice, too. We saw a bunch of it. It was just great overall.”

Aside from touring campus and talking with the staff, Vallejo also had an opportunity to take in a U-M practice. Vallejo liked what he saw from the defense and sees himself as a fit.

“Everyone is violent,” Vallejo said. “Everyone is aggressive. But also, the atmosphere is hype. Everyone is getting after it. It’s my style. I like being aggressive and getting after one another. I think I could see myself playing anywhere I’m needed, but I like the three-tech the most.”

Notre Dame hosted Vallejo for a visit earlier this month and seemed to have plenty of buzz leading up to his decision. However, Michigan defensive line coach Lou Esposito never stopped working and was able to help U-M beat out the Irish.

Vallejo will now make his official visit to Michigan on June 20.

At 6-foot-3, 310 pounds, Vallejo is ranked as the No. 51 defensive lineman and No. 460 overall prospect nationally, per the On3 Industry Ranking. He is also ranked as the No. 62 overall recruit in the state of Texas this cycle.

Michigan now has nine commits in its 2026 recruiting class — Vallejo, Top 100 Billings (Mont.) West tight end Matt Ludwig, Top 100 Newberry Park (Calif.) High quarterback Brady Smigiel, On300 Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin cornerback Brody Jennings, On300 Chicago (Ill.) Simeon EDGE McHale Blade, three-star Cartersville (Ga.) Cass offensive lineman Bear McWhorter, three-star Washington (D.C.) St. John’s EDGE Tariq Boney, three-star Denver (Colo.) Mullen tight end Mason Bonner and three-star Dallas (Texas) Parish Episcopal wide receiver Jaylen Pile.

Michigan entered the day with the No. 15 ranked 2026 recruiting class nationally, per the On3 Industry team recruiting rankings. Michigan is also ranked No. 5 in the Big Ten. USC currently has the top class in the conference.

Michigan also has the No. 10 ranked transfer portal class this cycle, per the On3 transfer portal index.

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