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Top LB target Markel Dabney flips commitment from SMU to Michigan

ECCrzGbXkAEmHxxby: EJ Holland06/27/25EJHollandOn3
Markel Dabney
Markel Dabney (EJ Holland/On3)

Michigan just scored another big win on the recruiting trail.

Three-star Richmond (Va.) Huguenot linebacker Markel Dabney has flipped his commitment from SMU to Michigan.

Dabney made a secret official visit to Michigan this month and enjoyed his time on campus. The Wolverines pushed and ultimately convinced him to make the switch.

“It’s Michigan,” Dabney said. “It doesn’t get better than that. The coaches are great. I love the staff. They are amazing. I feel like a top priority for them. They have really been pushing hard to get me.”

Dabney originally committed to SMU in May. He made an official visit to SMU and jumped onboard during Michigan’s contact ban.

Once that ban was lifted, Michigan linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary was in regular contact and really moved the needle.

“We’re football guys,” Dabney said. “We talk about schemes and different things like how to attack blockers and how to drop in certain route concepts. Just things of that nature. He’s a really great coach.”

Dabney is a two-way star for Huguenot and has even received attention as a safety and running back. However, Michigan has been recruiting him as a versatile linebacker.

Either way, Dabney believes he’ll be a fit in U-M’s scheme.

“I really like the defense,” Dabney said. “I feel like I can play like I play at Huguenot — at linebacker, safety and nickel. I feel like I can play everywhere in Michigan’s system as well.”

At 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, Dabney is ranked as the No. 68 linebacker and No. 807 overall prospect nationally, per the On3 Industry Ranking. He is also ranked as the No. 16 overall recruit in the state of Virginia this cycle.

Michigan now has 16 commits in its 2026 recruiting class — Dabney, Top 100 St. Louis (Mo.) DeSmet defensive lineman Titan Davis, 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, On300 Needham (Mass.) St. Sebastian’s offensive lineman Marky Walbridge, four-star Mansfield (Texas) High wide receiver Zion Robinson, 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, three-star Liberty Hill (Texas) High defensive lineman Alister Vallejo, three-star Dallas (Texas) Parish Episcopal wide receiver Jaylen Pile, three-star Hinsdale (Ill.) Central kicker Micah Drescher, Columbus (Ohio) St. Francis DeSales running back Jonathan Brown and Phoenix (Ariz.) O’Connor long snapper Colton Dermer.

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. 12 ranked transfer portal class this cycle, per the On3 transfer portal index.

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