Latest news with #McHaleBlade
USA Today
5 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan football nets 4-star edge McHale Blade over Notre Dame in big recruiting weekend
AI-assisted summary Four-star edge rusher McHale Blade from Chicago committed to Michigan football's 2026 recruiting class. Blade chose Michigan over Notre Dame, Wisconsin, USC, Purdue, and several other prominent programs. He is the eighth commitment in Michigan's 2026 class and the second-highest-rated prospect according to 247Sports Composite. Well, that didn't take long. Michigan football appeared to be in decent standing, but on the outside looking in, for one of its top targets, with Notre Dame being in the pole position for an elite prospect out of the Chicagoland area. But after hosting the second official visit weekend of the summer -- with some of the top prospects in the country -- the Wolverines didn't just surge in one recruitment; it took over. And got the commitment to boot. With that in mind, the maize and blue entered the weekend with seven commitments. Who ended up being No. 8 for the maize and blue? McHale Blade chooses Michigan football over Notre Dame On3's Steve Wiltfong made the surprising flip of his prediction that 2026 Chicago (Ill.) Simeon four-star edge rusher McHale Blade would choose the Irish, switching it to Michigan on Monday morning. It didn't take long before the 6-foot-4, 245-pound edge rusher made it unofficially official, committing to Michigan football. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle While Notre Dame was his other finalist, he also showed interest in Wisconsin, USC, and Purdue. He also had offers from Florida, Georgia, Miami, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Texas A&M. He's rated highest by Rivals which has him as the No. 111 player in the country, regardless of position. The current 2026 class As noted, Blade is the eighth commitment of the 2026 class. He's the 169th-rated prospect and second-highest pledge according to the 247Sports Composite. Using these metrics, here is the class thus far:
USA Today
11 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan football woos 4-star edge McHale Blade, gains ground in recruiting visit weekend
Michigan football woos 4-star edge McHale Blade, gains ground in recruiting visit weekend Michigan football is coming off its second big recruiting weekend with a slew of high-profile official visitors, and it appears as if the Wolverines are starting to make some moves. Even with some prospects who appeared that they'd end up elsewhere. With several top targets in Ann Arbor, the staff worked hard to get into the good graces of top-tier talent who have offers from the elite of the elite across college football, and it does seem as if the maize and blue pitch is paying some dividends. Though the Wolverines have yet to get any commitments coming out of the official visit weekend, is it becoming increasingly imminent? The Wolverines make a move with McHale Blade Among those who were in attendance this weekend was 2026 Chicago (Ill.) Simeon four-star edge rusher McHale Blade. Ranked highest by Rivals, which has him as the No. 111 player in the country, regardless of position, and the 15th-best edge rusher in the country, Blade was expected to end up at Notre Dame. However, according to On3's Steve Wiltfong, things seem to be trending toward Michigan football. (subscription required) Move my prediction from Notre Dame to Michigan for Chicago (Ill.) Simeon On300 edge McHale Blade. He was one of the standouts in Ann Arbor over the weekend. Michigan now has a 54.5% edge to land Blade according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. The current class At the moment, the Wolverines have seven commitments, including one edge rusher in three-star Tariq Boney from the DMV region. Michigan is looking to land potentially several more, with five-stars Carter Meadows and Trenton Henderson both holding the maize and blue in high esteem. Blade has visited Ann Arbor five times thus far, including this year's spring game, and several games last year, including the Oregon and Northwestern games.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement He is listed at 6-foot-5, 255 pounds, according to On3. This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football targets top 2026 edge rusher McHale Blade
USA Today
26-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
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.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rivals250 Commitment Predictions: Nos. 151-200
Rivals national recruiting director Adam Gorney embarks this week on making a prediction for every player in the Rivals250. He continues today with the Nos. 151-200 prospects in the 2026 class. COMMITMENT PREDICTIONS FOR THE 2026 RIVALS250: Nos. 1 - 50 | Nos. 51-100 | Nos. 101-150 YOU DECIDE: What city produces the best high school football talent? CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker No. 151 - McHale Blade: Michigan is right in the mix for the four-star edge rusher from Chicago (Ill.) Simeon along with Wisconsin and others but it would be surprising if Notre Dame doesn't lead in this recruitment. Advertisement Prediction: Notre Dame No. 152 - Luke Fahey: Stanford, Texas Tech, Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, Cal and Indiana are the six programs standing out most to the four-star quarterback from Mission Viejo, Calif., There are a lot of moving parts here - especially with a coach change - but the Cardinal should be watched. Prediction: Stanford No.153 - Anthony Davis: Auburn has been the clear leader in Davis' recruitment for a long time and it looked like the Tigers were a near lock but then Alabama has recently stepped it up in a major way. Those two look strongest with Georgia, Clemson and others, too. Prediction: Auburn No. 154 - O'Mari Johnson: Tulane and Louisville are others to watch but North Carolina has surged in his recruitment after visiting with coach Bill Belichick and his staff. His dad is a New England Patriots fan and meeting Belichick was huge for Johnson. Advertisement Prediction: North Carolina No. 155 - Zaden Krempin: There are still a lot of moving pieces here with all the Texas programs involved and he just returned from a great trip to Ohio State. But LSU has intrigued the Prospect, Texas standout a ton and he has a great connection with Will Campbell. Prediction: LSU No. 156 - Tai'Yion King: There could be some fluidity on which top programs are making King a priority but Texas A&M has been a mainstay in his recruitment and unless the Aggies pass, they look strongest. Prediction: Texas A&M No. 157 - Xavier McDonald: Auburn, LSU and Mississippi State among others are all involved but it feels like the four-star receiver from Morton, Miss., is leaning heavily to Ole Miss. Playing for coach Lane Kiffin is a major draw. Advertisement Prediction: Ole Miss No. 158 - Cam Thomas: Illinois won out for the four-star linebacker from West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West over Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana and others. If Ohio State offers late maybe Thomas flips but the Illini look strong here. Prediction: Illinois No. 159 - Ksani Jiles: After backing off an earlier pledge to Miami, the Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy four-star safety originally from the West Coast picked Washington earlier this month. Prediction: Washington No. 160 - Keenan Harris: There has been some Missouri and Nebraska buzz around the four-star safety from St. Louis (Mo.) University but Oregon should be the team to watch as he's spoken very highly of the Ducks if they have room. Advertisement Prediction: Oregon No. 161 - London Smith: The four-star receiver from Waco (Texas) University doesn't talk much about his recruitment but he picked Baylor over Texas in January. It sure looks like that pledge is going to stick. Prediction: Baylor No. 162 - Claude Mpouma: His junior year was his first playing football so he's new to the recruiting scene but Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan and Nebraska are the main programs to watch right now. Visits will be crucial for the four-star offensive lineman from Chicago (Ill.) Mt. Carmel but staying close seems probable. Prediction: Notre Dame No. 163 - Lincoln Keyes: There is a good chance Georgia will load up - big surprise - at tight end this year with Keyes and fellow four-stars Mark Bowman and Kaiden Prothro. I've been told the Bulldogs still love Keyes and definitely want him in the class. Advertisement Prediction: Georgia No. 164 - Ansu Sanoe: The Lake Oswego (Ore.) Lakeridge four-star running back committed to Washington just a few months into coach Jedd Fisch taking the job. If Oregon circles back that could be interesting but the Huskies look strong. Prediction: Washington No. 165 - Trent Mosley: His parents went to Notre Dame and his brother plays at Stanford but the four-star receiver did his own thing and committed to USC. If Lincoln Riley is there, I'd expect Mosley to stay locked in. Prediction: USC No. 166 - Jaimeon Winfield: The four-star defensive tackle from Richardson, Texas committed to USC in early March but it's a long way to go until signing day and Texas among others probably won't give up on flipping him. Advertisement Prediction: Texas No. 167 - Messiah Hampton: Hampton's recruitment has absolutely taken off as the Rochester (N.Y.) Monroe four-star receiver has been out and about this spring. Penn State is a top team to watch but Ohio State basically gets any receiver it wants. Miami, Oregon and others are heavily involved. Prediction: Ohio State No. 168 - Ryan Mosley: Programs across the SEC and beyond are involved with the four-star athlete from Carrollton, Ga., but Georgia has surely shown a ton of interest in him. Alabama will be another to watch but the Bulldogs look OK here. Prediction: Georgia No. 169 - Nalin Scott: Arizona State could be a sneaky legitimate contender especially with Hines Ward on staff but it's also likely he stays in the Southeast with Georgia, Auburn and Georgia Tech all involved. It wouldn't shock us to see him on The Plains. Advertisement Prediction: Auburn No. 170 - Brodie McWhorter: Indiana and Mississippi State are in a battle for the four-star quarterback but Auburn is re-engaging as the Tigers are talking with McWhorter multiples times per week. A recent visit with coach Jeff Lebby in Starkville went really well but it's a toss-up right now. Prediction: Mississippi State No. 171 - Keshawn Stancil: Many others are involved with Auburn, Penn State, Miami and Tennessee - an offer from Clemson could be huge and then North Carolina is in the mix - but NC State seems to have the edge with the in-state four-star defensive tackle. Advertisement Prediction: NC State No. 172 - Jordan Smith: Georgia is going to work to keep Smith home but the Warner Robins (Ga.) Houston County four-star safety will also seriously look at Tennessee, Florida State and others. The Seminoles might have the best shot to get him out of the state. Prediction: Florida State No. 173 - Jakai Anderson: He's from New Orleans (La.) McDonogh 35, he's already committed to LSU and he has great relationships in Baton Rouge. It definitely looks like Anderson is sticking. Prediction: LSU No. 174 - Carsyn Baker: Clemson has been quite stingy with running back offers but Baker was the first to get one in a long time. While a bunch of SEC programs are involved in his recruitment, after a visit and an offer from the Tigers they are the ones to watch. Advertisement Prediction: Clemson No. 175 - Heze Kent: Florida, Miami, Florida State, Texas and Alabama will get June official visits from Kent and this might come down to which programs like him at tight end and which ones want to move him to offensive tackle. Prediction: Florida No. 176 - Jonah Smith: The four-star receiver from Rancho Santa Margarita (Calif.) Santa Margarita Catholic has been committed to UCLA since March 2024 and the Bruins stuck with and supported him through a broken leg. USC is making a run to flip him and that should be watched. Prediction: UCLA No. 177 - Damari Simeon: It's still a long list for the Richland (N.J.) St. Augustine four-star defensive tackle but Notre Dame, Penn State, Rutgers and some others will be there until the end. Prediction: Penn State No. 178 - Efrem White: The four-star athlete from Vero Beach, Fla., has been committed to Florida State since December 2023 so he stuck with the Seminoles through a terrible 2024 season. Others are working to flip him but he has stuck with FSU. Prediction: Florida State No. 179 - James Johnson: Early on, Texas was the team to beat but Georgia, Florida, Syracuse and Miami are the leaders. The Miami Northwestern four-star defensive tackle could easily stay home but the Bulldogs have done so well recruiting along the d-line. Prediction: Georgia No. 180 - Tylan Wilson: Ole MIss, Clemson, Texas A&M and Auburn are the four programs in the running for the four-star safety from Pascagoula, Miss., but the Rebels could have the edge. Wilson hit it off with multiple coaches during a recent visit to Oxford. Prediction: Ole Miss No. 181 - Carter Scruggs: Clemson, Georgia, Michigan and Penn State are the four standouts for Scruggs and while the Tigers could be a major sleeper for his commitment because of his relationship with position coach Matt Luke. But Georgia's development along the offensive line might win out. Prediction: Georgia No. 182 - Trashawn Ruffin: After backing off his commitment to Texas A&M recently, the massive four-star defensive tackle flipped his pledge to North Carolina. It was a huge win for first-year coach Bill Belichick in recent days. Prediction: North Carolina No. 183 - Lasiah Jackson: A new offer from Miami will be one to watch but this could come down to a battle between Alabama and Florida State. The Seminoles are definitely making the Leesburg (Ga.) Lee County standout a priority after getting four-star RB Ousmane Kromah last recruiting cycle. Prediction: Florida State No. 184 - Jermaine Bishop Jr.: Texas should be the team to beat for the four-star athlete from Willis, Texas but USC is making a run at him and he goes to DJ Lagway's high school so the Gators could be a sleeper here. Prediction: Texas No. 185 - Jamarrion Gordon: After early commitments to Alabama and UCF didn't work out, Florida, Florida State, Ole Miss and North Carolina have emerged as major contenders. It sounds like the Gators are now the team in the driver's seat. Prediction: Florida No. 186 - Jonaz Walton: Florida, Stanford, Notre Dame, Alabama and Tennessee are the five front-runners but the Cardinal don't have a coach so four schools are looking the strongest. The Irish might have a slight edge but don't count out the SEC. Prediction: Notre Dame No. 187 - Cincere Johnson: The four-star linebacker from Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville was back at Ohio State on Tuesday and then he'll soon visit Florida and Alabama. There is major SEC interest but the Buckeyes are way out in front. Prediction: Ohio State No. 188 - Earnest Rankins: Alabama and Georgia could be battling it out for the four-star defensive lineman from Tucker (Ga.) Southwest DeKalb but Tennessee is in there as well. Rankins doesn't talk much but the Crimson Tide could have the edge. Prediction: Alabama No. 189 - Tommy Tofi: There are family ties to Cal and that is significant but Oregon is the team to beat in this recruitment and the Ducks hardly ever lose for top targets. Prediction: Oregon No. 190 - Chris Stewart: Stewart has been committed to Texas since the summer but SMU, Arizona State, Miami, Tennessee and Oklahoma will all get visits. Playing with his brother, Carter, seems like the biggest deal. Prediction: SMU No. 191 - Dylan Berymon: USC, Texas and Texas A&M are the three front-runners for the leaders for the four-star defensive tackle from Monroe (La.) Ouachita. Given location, one might think the SEC programs but the Trojans look best. Prediction: USC No. 192 - Sam Greer: Missouri did everything possible to land the four-star offensive lineman from Akron (Ohio) Hoban but after another great visit to Ohio State - and meeting with new position coach Tyler Bowen - he committed to the Buckeyes earlier this week. Prediction: Ohio State No. 193 - Zion Legree: The four-star receiver from Niceville, Fla., committed to Ole Miss in November but April is a major month with visits to Florida State, Florida, Mississippi State and back to Oxford. A flip to Florida wouldn't be a shocker. Prediction: Florida No. 194 - Tiki Hola: Notre Dame, Oregon, SMU and USC are others to watch but Texas seems to have the edge for the four-star defensive tackle from Bastrop, Texas. A recent visit there might have only solidified it. Prediction: Texas No. 195 - Malcolm Gaston: Georgia absolutely loves massive offensive linemen and then shaping them into what they need to dominate up front. There aren't many bigger than the 6-foot-5, 330-pound four-star from North Augusta, S.C. Prediction: Georgia No. 196 - Brandon Bennett: Florida, Georgia, Texas A&M and Syracuse are others to watch but Bennett is a speedy receiver from Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage. Miami is considered the front-runner - by far. Prediction: Miami Read More
