Michigan Football Stuns Rival Powerhouses with Unexpected Double Commitment Coup

Another game that stands out on the schedule includes an early-season clash at Oklahoma. The Sooners are set to be much-improved from last year’s team after adding highly coveted transfer quarterback John Mateer. Overall, on paper, this slate of games gives Michigan a good chance to increase its win total from last season. And the more victories that Sherrone Moore and company can pick up, the more coveted recruits like Malakai Lee will commit to the program.

Sherrone Moore’s team struggled at this position in 2024 and will need more production to become a Big Ten contender again. The conference is projected to be stacked once again, with teams like Ohio State, Penn State, and Oregon entering 2025 with championship-caliber rosters. Out of those three, the Wolverines will only take on the Buckeyes in their annual showdown.Article Continues BelowThe Michigan Wolverines have quietly but surely been rewriting the recruiting narrative, snatching top-tier commitments right out from under powerhouses like Georgia, Texas, and SMU. After a rollercoaster 2024 campaign under rookie head coach Sherrone Moore—one that didn’t quite hit the preseason hype but peeled off a trio of electrifying wins to close the year—the program’s momentum is unmistakable. Those jaw-dropping triumphs over Ohio State and Alabama in the bowl game weren’t just flukes; they’ve ignited a spark that’s now fueling the Wolverines’ recruiting engines. With their 2025 class ranked sixth nationally and the 2026 squad already cracking the top 15, Michigan is staking its claim as a destination for elite talent eager to revive a championship legacy. Anchoring this recruiting wave are stars like Malakai Lee, the 4-star offensive tackle snatched from the clutches of rivals, and linebacker Markel Dabney, shifting allegiances from SMU to Ann Arbor. These acquisitions underscore Michigan’s hunger—not just to compete in the Big Ten, but to dominate it again. And with a phenom like 5-star quarterback Bryce Underwood ready to take command, the Wolverines are poised to script a new chapter of resurgence and supremacy. LEARN MOREMichigan football secured a pair of commits over Georgia, Texas, and SMU. The Wolverines are coming off an uneven season under first-year head coach Sherrone Moore that ended on a high note. Last year’s squad certainly did not live up to its preseason ranking of No. 9, but it won its last three games, including stunning upsets over Ohio State and in the bowl game against Alabama. The program has carried that momentum over to the recruiting sphere with the sixth-ranked class for 2025 and the current eleventh-ranked class for 2026.The Wolverines have added to the 2026 class first with the commitment of 4-star offensive tackle Malakai Lee. On3 national recruiting/transfer portal reporter Hayes Fawcett confirmed the news. Additionally, Michigan was able to secure the commitment of Class of 2026 linebacker Markel Dabney, who had previously committed to SMU. Both will be critical to the growth of this program, as it looks to return to its championship-contending ways just one season off winning a national title.