Michigan flips a ball-hawking blue-chip in 2026 class from Big 12 program

Michigan football needed some momentum on the recruiting trail, and got it Wednesday with the flip of four-star commitment Jordan Deck.
Michigan defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan celebrates 13-10 win over Ohio State at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
Michigan defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan celebrates 13-10 win over Ohio State at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It felt like the flip of four-star Jordan Deck from Baylor to Michigan football was only a matter of time after some expert projections from Steve Wiltfong and others.

Then, Sherrone Moore posted his patented eyeball emoji on Wednesday, the same message he posts whenever Michigan lands a commitment, you pretty much knew the flip was coming.

Just hours after Moore posted, Jordan Deck made it offical. Hayes Fawcett posted the announcement, and Deck, the 6-foot-3, 185-pound safety ranked No. 369 overall, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, is now part of the Wolverines impressive 2026 haul.

Another blue-chip commitment for Michigan football

In the secondary, Deck is the third blue-chip commitment of the class. He joins four-star cornerback/safety Andre Clarke, as well as four-star cornerback Dorian Barney. All three players have committed this month.

Clarke is ranked No. 179 overall, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings. Barney is 157th, and Deck is No. 403. Michigan football now has 14 blue-chip commitments in the 2026 class, out of 21 total. That puts the blue-chip percentage for this class at 66 percent.

More importantly, it gives Michigan a true safety. Clarke can play safety. I prefer him at cornerback. This could open the door for that. Over the past two seasons, playing in Frisco, Texas, Deck has notched five interceptions (all in 2023) and 22 pass breakups, as well as 117 tackles.

Deck is an athletic, rangy player with good ball skills. He covers well, and does a good job of finding the ball-carrier in the run game, and has great closing speed.

This will allow Michigan to focus on Davon Benjamin, the top-50 (36th overall) defensive back who is currently projected to Oregon. Landing Deck is a big win, though. Of the recent players on the roster, his length reminds me of Makari Paige.

The Ball skills and tackling ability do, too. He could be a better athlete, but he shouldn't have a problem developing into a starting-level safety after 2-3 years of seasoning/development.

Deck has a nose for the football. The rest will take care of itself.