BOOM! After previously committing to SMU, 2026 three-star linebacker Markel Dabney has flipped to Michigan! MORE:
After initially committing to SMU, 2026 three-star linebacker Markel Dabney flipped his commitment to the Michigan Wolverines .
BREAKING: Class of 2026 LB Markel Dabney has Flipped his Commitment from SMU to Michigan, he tells me for @on3recruits
The 6’1 210 LB from Richmond, VA had been Committed to the Mustangs since May 13
“We just getting started, let’s work #GoBlue ”https://t.co/fWnvyhtBC3 pic.twitter.com/Qf8evOjqnw
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 27, 2025
Dabney committed to SMU in mid-May, but made a bit of a secret official visit to Michigan a few weeks ago. He quickly followed that up with an unofficial visit a couple days later.
According to On3’s EJ Holland ($), it sounds like Michigan’s self-imposed no-contact period with recruits — stemming from the Connor Stalions/NCAA case — played a role in Dabney making his commitment to SMU. Had Dabney known what was going on at the time, he admitted he probably would not have made that pledge to the Mustangs.
Following his official visit, Dabney got all the clarification and reassurance he needed.
“The Michigan visit was all that I expected,” Dabney said. “It went great. They were transparent about everything. They kept it real. They didn’t sugarcoat it. Everything was straightforward. They told me the real. I really liked the visit. I loved being around the coaches and the players.”
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Dabney is the first linebacker and 15th total recruit to commit to Michigan in the 2026 class .
On the 247Sports composite , Dabney is ranked No. 807 overall and No. 20 among players from the state of Virginia in the 2026 class. He also had offers from Florida State, Kentucky, Miami, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Penn State and Tennessee, among others.
Check out some of Dabney’s junior year highlights below, a year in which he totaled 68 tackles, nine tackles for loss, four sacks, two pass breakups, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions, both of which were returned for touchdowns.