As far as the 2026 defensive back Ernest Nunley was concerned, it felt like only a matter of time before he would be joining the Michigan football program after getting released from his letter of intent by the Cal Golden Bears.
Nunley, a three-star defensive back who could play cornerback or safety, is 6-foot, 165 pounds. He's ranked No. 1,259, according to the Rivals Industry rankings. He's the No. 121 safety, as well as the 99th-best player in the state of California.
The ranking might not be what fans want, but the new coaching staff zeroed in on Nunley, led by safeties coach Tyler Stockton. Here's what the 2026 defensive back said to Ethan McDowell of Rivals about his Michigan football commitment, announced on Tuesday.
“They wanted to take another young guy in the class of 2026 at DB, and they’ve seen my film, and they see I can play anywhere in the secondary,” Nunley said before his visit. “I’m a very versatile player, so they thought that I would be a great addition…I fit very well in their scheme, and they want me to come there and compete early for a job.”
Ernest Nunley commits to Michigan football for 2026 class
The three-star recruit was highly productive during his senior season with 57 tackles, five interceptions, 20 pass breakups, and two forced fumbles.
New Michigan football defensive coordinator Jay Hill has a defense that tends to allow defensive backs to shine. Nunley might not be ready to play right away, although he's not ranked that much lower than Rod Moore coming out of high school, but after some of the transfer portal departures, he's a solid addition, especially with the future in mind. He's got speed and athleticism, too.
All in all, it feels like a pretty good get this late in the process.