Michigan eyes a flip in 2026 class, 4-star LB has Wolverines in top three

Fresh off another weekend of official visits, it feels like the next commitment for Michigan football is only a matter of time.

The Wolverines have been trending for a pair of 2026 recruits since the weekend -- four-star wide receiver Travis Johnson and four-star defensive back Andre Clarke.

However, the Wolverines are making a move with another 2026 recruit, Markel Dabeny. The three-star athlete/linebacker who is 6-foot-1, 205 pounds out of Richmond, Virginia, was the secret visitor who was talked about amongst Michigan football circles over the past weekend.

Dabney is ranked outside the top 700 (No. 785 overall) in the 247 Sports composite rankings for 2026. However, there is a lot to like about the SMU commitment. He's a stellar athlete and the kind of linebacker who has no problem flipping his hips in coverage.

According to EJ Holland of The Wolverine, Dabeny is on campus again at U-M on Tuesday with his 7-on-7 team just days after he took his official visit to Ann Arbor. It feels like Michigan has seized momentum, and predictions for a flip could come soon.

Michigan impresses blue-chip linebacker

Four-star linebacker Anthony Davis was also on campus for an official visit this past weekend. He's 6-foot-2, 200 pounds out of Loganville, Georgia. Davis is ranked No. 323 overall in the 2026 class, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings. He told EJ Holland of the Wolverine that Michigan is in his top three. Alabama and Ole Miss, who are each listed as "warm" on his 247 Sports recruiting profile, are among the others in contention.

The Wolverines have 10 commitments (with a long-snapper included). Michigan doesn't have any linebacker commitments yet. Nick Abrams is another blue-chip linebacker on the radar, but the Wolverines made a move this weekend with Davis and Dabeny, the SMU commitment.