Recruiting Roundup: QB Brady Smigiel discusses why he chose Michigan

Michigan recently landed a commitment from 2026 four-star QB Brady Smigiel, and he is now explaining his reasoning behind the decision. We have that and more in today’s Recruiting Roundup:

The Michigan Wolverines recently picked up a big commitment from 2026 four-star quarterback Brady Smigiel. He is the highest-rated player in the Wolverines’ 2026 class so far, and hopefully that commitment is the start of what will be a successful summer on the recruiting trail.

Smigiel discusses college decision

Smigiel is the No 7 quarterback in the class, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. As one of the top quarterbacks in the class, he had a lot of great options, but the academics at Michigan are hard to beat.

“There’s so much good going on at Michigan,” Smigiel recently told The L.A. Times . “The first thing that attracted me was the degree that you get and the alumni that they have there. I think it’s so impressive what they have going on there.

“I also really love the people they recruit. They don’t recruit any guy that’s just running a 4.3 40-yard dash. They’re going to recruit really good men. They’re going to turn you into men. I think that was just something that my family and I were really attracted to.”

Smigiel is confident offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey can develop him into an NFL prospect.

“I think the offense just fits my skill set really well,” Smigiel said. “Coach Chip Lindsey was at North Carolina two years ago with Drake Maye, so just being able to see him develop him, and I would say I have the same play style as him, so just being able to see what he’s able to do with guys with my skillset.”

Four-star CB is high on Michigan

Michigan is in a great spot with 2026 four-star cornerback Dorian Barney . He has already been to Ann Arbor twice, and he has an official visit scheduled for the weekend of June 20. He even recently said that the amount of visits he has taken says a lot about how much he likes the program.

“With Michigan, I’ve been up there twice this spring,” Barney told 247Sports’ Brice Marich ($) . “I don’t go to a lot of places twice, especially in the spring, so, you know, that might tell you something, but going there, it’s good academic wise and on the field, they send players to the league. That’s what I’m trying to get. That’s my overall goal.”

Barney has spent a lot of time talking to Michigan defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan, and it sounds like they have formed a great relationship.

“Oh, coach Morgan, the defensive backs coach (is the coach I talk with the most),” Barney said. “You know, I’ve been talking to him and I can really relate to him. I feel like I can take the coaching from him.”

After Barney takes his official visits this summer, we should hear more about a commitment date. He noted he ideally wants to get that done before his senior season.

DL target announcing commitment this week

One target that will be committing soon is 2026 three-star defensive lineman Alexander Haskell . He will choose between Michigan, Penn State and Syracuse this Friday.

“First, wherever I go has to feel like home,” Haskell told 247Sports’ Brian Dohn ($) . “I have to feel comfortable. …Second, the coaches have to be genuine. When you’re on visits, you can tell who’s gassing you up and who’s being real. I appreciate the real ones. Third is academics. …I don’t want to go to a school I could already get into without football. I want to use football to get into a place I couldn’t without it.”

Michigan has the edge over Syracuse and Penn State when it comes to academics, but that isn’t the only thing he is looking for.

“Fourth, how they plan to use me,” Haskell said. “Do they see me playing across the line or just one position? Both have pros and cons. Learning three positions is harder, but it helps with the draft. Playing one spot means you know it like the back of your hand — but limits versatility come draft time.”

All the predictions are in for Penn State, but we’ll have to wait and see if he sides with his hometown Nittany Lions.

Quick-Hitters

• Michigan will be hosting 2026 four-star offensive lineman Wilson Zierer on an official visit the weekend of June 6, according to On3’s Ethan McDowell ($).
• 2026 four-star defensive lineman Kendall Guervil is down to 10 schools, and Michigan is still in the running.

• ICYMI: Michigan missed out on an important target as 2026 four-star running back Javian Osborne chose Notre Dame over the Wolverines on Saturday.