BOOOOOM! Michigan just landed 2026 four-star edge McHale Blade! The Chicago native chose the Wolverines over Notre Dame, USC, Wisconsin and others:
The Michigan Wolverines ’ 2026 class just got a whole lot better, as four-star defensive lineman/edge McHale Blade announced his commitment to the Maize and Blue on Monday evening.
The 6-foot-4, 245-pounder hails from Chicago and plays at Simeon High School. He got his offer from Michigan last May from defensive line coach Lou Esposito, who played an instrumental part in the Wolverines getting Blade’s commitment.
Blade took his official visit to Michigan the weekend of June 6. He also took official visits to Purdue and Wisconsin.
Other than those aforementioned schools, Blade also had offers from USC, Notre Dame, Georgia, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Florida, Miami, Nebraska, and more. Notre Dame was particularly a strong contender for Blade, as there was a recruiting prediction for the Fighting Irish from On3’s Steve Wiltfong prior to Blade’s official visit to Michigan. That is when Wiltfong — and others across the industry — put in predictions for the Wolverines.
Michigan is up to eight commitments in the 2026 class, as Blade joins four-star quarterback Brady Smigiel, four-star tight end Matt Ludwig, four-star cornerback Brody Jennings, four-star offensive lineman Bear McWhorter, three-star tight end Mason Bonner, three-star wide receiver Jaylen Pile and three-star edge rusher Tariq Boney.
Blade is ranked No. 5 in the state of Illinois, No. 21 at his position and No. 169 overall in his class, per 247Sports’ composite.