Sometimes you can just tell that a recruit should be ranked as a blue-chip prospect. That's how it felt with Michigan football signee Tariq Boney.
For most of the cycle, Boney, a 6-foot-1, 235-pound EDGE from Washington, D.C., was ranked well below the range of being a four-star prospect. He was ranked in the 800s.
However, his ranking has been climbing. The evaluators have noticed what he can do. This past season, Boney finished with 48 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, and 13 sacks as he earned Gatorade Player of the Year.
After that productive season, and the measureables to back it up, Boney jumped about 500 spots to the point that he's ranked No. 308 overall, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings.
Tulane and West Virginia were the other programs to host Boney for an official visit. Yet, Michigan football D-line coach Lou Esposito, his primary recruiter, knew what he had. Now, the Wolverines have another blue-chip EDGE in the D-Line room.
More rankings updates for Michigan football in 2026
Boney wasn't the only Michigan football signee to get a bump. Titan Davis (No. 95) is ranked in the top 100 overall. Malakai Lee (No. 106) is in the top 125, along with Travis Johnson (No. 124).
Michigan football signed a five-star EDGE Carter Meadows (9th) and five-star running back Savion Hiter. They also landed a WR, a DT, and an OT, each ranked in the top 125 overall. The Wolverines have 12 blue-chips, out of a total of 22 signees in the 2026 class.
When you add Allister Vallejo and McHale Blade to the mix, the Wolverines added five-blue chip talents at EDGE/DL. They also signed two blue-chip offensive linemen, a safety, a quarterback, a cornerback, and a wide receiver, plus Salesi Moa, who is expected to play WR/CB.
Despite everything that happened, it was a stellar recruiting haul for the Wolverines, one that looks even better after the recent rankings update.