Wolverine TV: Will Michigan land ex-Michigan State LB commit Braylon Hodge?

The Wolverine’s EJ Holland discussed several Michigan recruiting topics on the Tuesday edition of The Wolverine Live recruiting show, including the recruitment of former Michigan State linebacker commit Braylon Hodge.

Watch the full episode in the video above.

Hodge Recruitment

Michigan came out of summer official visits with a glaring need at linebacker.

The Wolverines hold just one commitment at the position in three-star Richmond (Va.) Huguenot prospect Markel Dabney and would like to add at least one more before the end of the cycle. Michigan extended an offer to Hodge this fall and got him on campus for his first visit earlier this month.

Hodge took in Michigan’s win over Wisconsin and enjoyed his time in Ann Arbor. He backed out of his verbal commitment to Michigan State less than a week later.

Here is what Holland had to say about his recruitment.

“Michigan solidified itself as a true contender in the race for Hodge following his official visit,” Holland said. “The Wolverines really moved the needle and pitched him on need at the position. It was clear he wasn’t going to end up at Michigan State, but this development doesn’t mean he’s a lock to end up at Michigan. Hodge is making an official visit to Oregon and is also set to see Texas, a school he already visited earlier this fall. This is a close recruitment.”

At 6-foot-3, 212 pounds, Hodge is ranked as the No. 9 linebacker and No. 171 overall prospect nationally, per Rivals.

Michigan has 22 commits in its 2026 recruiting class — 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, 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. 11 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.