Michigan football in top 7 for 2026 four-star edge rusher McHale Blade, visiting June 6
Michigan football in top 7 for 2026 four-star edge rusher McHale Blade, visiting June 6
Michigan football has had some stellar edge rushers over the years, and if you're the go-to guy getting at the passer wearing maize and blue, chances are you're going to hear your name called rather early in the NFL draft.
Such has been the case for nearly a decade. The Wolverines have had several defensive ends go in the first round -- including Taco Charlton, Rashan Gary, Kwity Paye, and Aidan Hutchinson -- as well as others were ho have gone early, but not in round one, like Josaiah Stewart this year, as well as Josh Uche, Chris Wormley, David Ojabo, and others. Thus, the maize and blue are usually in high consideration for top recruits at the position.
Top-tier four-star includes Michigan football in his top group
On Friday, an elite edge rusher from an elite high school dropped his top seven schools, just a week before the official visit slate is set to begin.
2026 Chicago (Ill.) Simeon four-star EDGE McHale Blade has long been recruited by Michigan defensive line coach Lou Esposito, and it looks like that's paid off, with Blade including the Wolverines in his top group. But Blade also included USC, Notre Dame, Purdue, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Stanford.
Rivals is highest on Blade, listing him as the No. 110 player in the country, regardless of position. At the moment, it appears as if Notre Dame has the edge, according to the On3 recruiting prediction machine.
Blade's visit and commitment date
Blade is set to visit Ann Arbor on June 6, and it will be his fifth time on campus. He's also set to see Wisconsin, USC, and Notre Dame with the Irish getting the final visit on June 20. He plans to make his commitment on July 4.
He is listed at 6-foot-5, 255 pounds, according to On3.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Kasey McAteer scores as Republic of Ireland and Senegal play out draw in Dublin
Kasey McAteer scored his first international goal for the Republic of Ireland as they played out an entertaining 1-1 draw with Senegal in Dublin. The Irish delivered a performance full of industry in their first-ever encounter with the Senegalese at the Aviva Stadium. Advertisement Leicester's McAteer and Ipswich's Jack Taylor made their first starts for Ireland with head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson looking at his options ahead of the beginning of the World Cup qualifying campaign in September. Republic of Ireland's Robbie Brady (right) and Senegal's Abdallah Sima battle for the ball (Evan Treacy/PA) Senegal, ranked 19th by FIFA, some 41 places higher than the Republic, named an experimental side with only two starters remaining from their recent World Cup qualifying win over Togo. The west African side started brightly, controlling possession in the early stages and keeping the pressure on Ireland with two corners. However, Ireland grew in stature throughout the first half and opened the scoring through McAteer in the 21st minute when Senegal failed to clear a corner. Advertisement Ryan Manning crossed and Nathan Collins headed it on to McAteer. His initial header was wonderfully saved by Yehvann Diouf, but the forward kept his composure to control the rebound and fire it home. The Irish stayed on the front foot for the rest of the half, showing good energy as they moved the ball quickly between defence and attack, seeming to rattle the Senegalese, who were defending a 20-match unbeaten run. Antoine Mendy had the visitors' best chance of the half, but he screwed his shot from the edge of the box high and wide. Irish goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, recently signed by Brentford from Liverpool, had virtually nothing to do before the break. Advertisement The second half started in similar positive fashion for Ireland and Southampton's Will Smallbone should have doubled their lead but shot straight at the keeper. Ryan Manning attempted to fire in the rebound but it was brilliantly blocked by Mendy. With the game opening up, Senegal almost equalised moments later when Kelleher got the faintest of touches onto Krepin Diatta's header which crashed against the crossbar. After the hour mark, both sides made a series of changes, with Senegal introducing promising 21-year-old Lamine Camara, who has already played in the Champions League for Monaco, and Crystal Palace's FA Cup winner Ismaila Sarr. Camara almost made an immediate impact when his shot was deflected onto a post before being scrambled away by Kelleher. Republic of Ireland's Will Smallbone (centre) attempts a shot towards goal during the international friendly (Evan Treacy/PA) The threat from Senegal grew as the game wore on. However Ismail Jakob's ambitious effort to score from outside the box sailed high over the bar. Advertisement The Irish invited pressure by defending deeper late in the second half. McAteer, who had run tirelessly throughout, was replaced in the 80th minute as was Smallbone as the Republic turned towards fresh legs. However, Senegal's pressure told when substitute Sarr poked home in the 82nd minute shortly after Kelleher had saved with his feet. Senegal had a free-kick on the edge of the box deep in injury time as tempers flared between the two teams, but Camara failed to get it over the defending wall. The match did not have the feel of a friendly as both Ireland and Senegal went for the win, but ultimately both will be satisfied with the draw.
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Notre Dame makes offer to Wayne Shanks Jr.
Notre Dame makes offer to Wayne Shanks Jr. The Fighting Irish could snag a speedster if Shanks Jr. commits Notre Dame has made an offer to four-star running back recruit Wayne Shanks Jr. Shanks, Class of 2027, is coming out of The Kinkaid School in Houston, Texas. He stands five-foot-11 and weighs 190 pounds. He's clocked a 4.5-second 40-yard dash and 10.88-second 100-meter run. Shanks posted a picture of current Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love leaping into the end zone, so hopefully that's an indication of Shanks eventually committing to Notre Dame. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions. Follow Tim on X: @tehealey
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Cooper Witten, son of Dallas Cowboys legend, to camp at Notre Dame
The son of an NFL legend will have a chance to shine at Notre Dame's Irish Invasion event this weekend. Top Fighting Irish target Cooper Witten will be at the program's signature recruiting event along with a bevy of other top prospects who have been on ND's radar. Advertisement The Class of 2027 five-star linebacker from Liberty Christian (Argyle, TX) grew up watching his father, Jason, excel in a likely Hall of Fame career with the Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders. After retirement, Witten became the head coach at Liberty Christian, where Cooper and his older brother CJ attend. He led the program to back to back state championships in 2023 and 2024. The 6-foot and 3-inch, 210-pound younger Witten earned an offer from Clemson Wednesday after showcasing his skills at the Dabo Swinney football camp. Witten moves with ease and has run a 10.91-second 100 meters. His elite closing speed and football instincts make him one of the premiere defenders in his class. His offer list includes heavy hitters outside of Notre Dame, including Alabama, Michigan, Texas and his father's alma mater, Tennessee. In his sophomore season, he had 45 tackles, five interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and seven receiving scores on offense. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions. Advertisement Follow Dave on X: Miller_Dave This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Cooper Witten, son of Dallas Cowboys legend, to camp at Notre Dame
