Michigan lands 2026 commitment from elite 4-star quarterback, top 100 recruit

Michigan has picked up its first quarterback commitment for the 2026 recruiting cycle.

Brady Smigel, from Newbury Park, Calif., pledged to the Wolverines on Saturday, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett. He is the fourth overall player in the 2026 class to commit to the Michigan program.

Smigel, rated as the No. 7 quarterback in the country, is considered by 247Sports’ composite ranking to be the No. 80 ranked player in the class and the No. 12 player in the state of California. He committed to Michigan over finalists UCLA, South Carolina, and Washington.

Smigel joins a recruiting class that is slowly, but surely, starting to take shape. Cornerback Brody Jennings has been committed since July 2024, followed by wide receiver Jaylen Pile’s pledge in October 2024. Then, Bear McWhorter, an offensive lineman, verbaled in February.

There’s still a long way to go before the Early Signing Period gives these players a chance to make their commitments official, but for now, four players are in the fold for Sherrone Moore and the Wolverines — and there’s plenty more sure to come before too long.

As for the current Wolverines, they’ll look to get back to championship form after a decline in 2024, when they finished 8-5.