Wolverine TV: Three Michigan commits who rose in new Rivals rankings

The Wolverine’s EJ Holland breaks down three Michigan commits who rose in the recent Rivals rankings update for the 2026 recruiting class, including Top 100 Irmo (S.C.) Dutch Fork EDGE Julian Walker.

Watch the full video above.

Walker Recruitment

Michigan extended an offer to Walker in February and made him a top priority on the EDGE board throughout the offseason.

Walker made his first visit to Michigan in the spring and returned for his official visit on June 20 for Victors Weekend. It was there where the Wolverines built plenty of momentum.

Walker was considered a heavy South Carolina legacy. His father, Jamil, is a strength coach for the Gamecocks, and all signs pointed to Walker staying home. However, Michigan was able to win out.

Walker has stated that he is solid with U-M, but he has made multiple visit to South Carolina this fall.

Here is what Holland said about Walker:

“Walker is a bigger EDGE at 6-foot-6, 240 pounds,” Holland said. “He has the length and he’s also more filled out than fellow EDGE commit Carter Meadows. While not as athletic as Meadows, Walker is ready to play early in his career. Having a father who is a P4 strength coach definitely a big benefit. It’s easy to see that Walker already looks the part of a college player. This was a really nice recruiting win for Michigan, especially since Walker was considered such a heavy South Carolina lean. Now, Michigan has to keep him locked in.”

Michigan has 26 commits in its 2026 recruiting class — five-star Mineral (Va.) Louisa County running back Savion Hiter, five-star Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga EDGE Carter Meadows, Top 100 Honolulu (Hawaii) Kamehameha offensive tackle Malakai Lee, 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 Needham (Mass.) St. Sebastian’s offensive lineman Marky Walbridge, On300 Chesapeake (Va.) Oscar Smith wide receiver Travis Johnson, On300 Irmo (S.C.) Dutch Fork EDGE Julian Walker, On300 Chicago (Ill.) Simeon EDGE McHale Blade, four-star Richmond (Va.) Hermitage defensive back Andre Clarke, 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 Richmond (Va.) Huguenot linebacker Markel Dabney, three-star Hinsdale (Ill.) Central kicker Micah Drescher, three-star Columbus (Ohio) St. Francis DeSales running back Jonathan Brown, three-star Wilmette (Ill.) Loyola Academy offensive lineman Tommy Fraumann, three-star Cincinnati (Ohio) St. Xavier linebacker Aden Reeder, three-star Jackson (Miss.) Hartfield Academy linebacker Kaden Catchings, three-star Saline (Mich.) High quarterback Tommy Carr and three-star Phoenix (Ariz.) O’Connor long snapper Colton Dermer.

Michigan entered the day with the No. 12 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.