Late last week, WR Jaylen Pile became the first skill player to commit to Michigan’s 2026 class. Now, he is going in-depth on his decision. We have that and more in today’s Recruiting Roundup:
The Michigan Wolverines gained a commitment for the first time in a while late last week, and the newest member of their 2026 class is opening up as to why he chose to call Ann Arbor his future college home.
We have that and more in today’s Recruiting Roundup.
New WR commit breaks down pledge to U-M
Last Thursday, the Wolverines added three-star wide receiver Jaylen Pile to their 2026 class. Speaking with The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich ($), Pile is now discussing why he ultimately decided on Michigan.
“It’s a top tier education and Michigan is the defending national champions,” Pile said. “I just really felt at home with the coaching staff and how they have produced NFL players. It checks all the boxes for what I’m looking for at the next level. Now we can get to work.”
At 6-foot and 175 pounds, Pile is a versatile playmaker that will pair up with four-star quarterback Brady Hart, someone he has gotten to know decently well already.
“I got to work with Brady Hart at camp and he’s the real deal,” Pile said. “He can sling it. We will definitely be the quarterback-wide receiver duo to watch for.”
Pile is the No. 492 overall player, the No. 78 wide receiver and the No. 66 player in the state of Texas, according to the 247Sports composite.
Two DL committed elsewhere plan U-M visits
According to On3’s EJ Holland ($), the Wolverines welcomed in 2025 three-star edge Triston Abram on an official visit for the game against USC. Holland also reported Abram is returning next weekend for the Oregon game for an unofficial visit.
Despite being committed to Indiana, Abram appears very open to flipping to Michigan. To make two game day visits in one season is pretty telling. Michigan needs a couple more players along the defensive line to round out the 2025 class, so the 6-foot-4, 225-pounder from St. Louis, Missouri is a good candidate to be one of them.
Defensive line coach Lou Esposito offered Abram earlier this fall, but actually recruited him originally when he was the defensive line coach at Memphis, so perhaps the preexisting relationship will help the Wolverines. Other than Michigan and IU, Abram holds other offers from Cincinnati, Kansas, Kansas State , Boston College, Georgia Tech , Memphis and others.
Additionally, Holland ($) reported that Michigan is also set to host 2025 four-star defensive lineman Joseph Mbatchou for the game this weekend against MSU. Mbatchou — who is 6-foot-4.5 and 275 pounds — is currently committed to Florida and was offered by Esposito during the bye week. This will be his first time at Michigan and will be an official visit.
Mbatchou appears very, very open to a flip somewhere, as he also has visits scheduled for Auburn, Tennessee and USC. He is also coming off a visit to Texas last weekend, and according to 247Sports’ Blake Alderman ($), he has also taken unofficial visits this fall to Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Auburn, and South Carolina, in addition to Florida.
Quick Hitters
- Marshall Levenson of the Rivals network reported that 2025 four-star wide receiver commit Andrew Marsh plans on returning to Ann Arbor this weekend for the MSU game, but also plans on taking visits this fall to Washington and Colorado.
- Speaking of Marsh, Esposito sent an offer out over the weekend to 2026 four-star defensive lineman Jimmy-Phrisco Alo-Suliafu , who is Marsh’s high school teammate.
- Finally, On3’s Holland ($) reported over the weekend that 2026 four-star running back Javion Mallory is set to make a return visit to Michigan for its game against Northwestern on Nov. 23. He last visited Ann Arbor over the summer.