We can’t start every discourse on Michigan football recruiting by saying that the Wolverines are on a heater, can we? Well, we have to because Michigan football recruiting is on a heater. And the locomotive isn’t slowing down; it appears to be gaining speed.
One area where the maize and blue have thrived on the 2026 recruiting trail is in the trenches. The offensive line has a ton of promise with four-stars Malakai Lee, Marky Walbridge, and Bear McWhorter pledged, but defensive line recruiting has been on another level. The Wolverines have five-star edge rusher Carter Meadows, four-star edge McHale Blade, four-star tackles Titan Davis and Alister Vallejo, and three-star edge Tariq Boney committed already. What’s one more four-star edge rusher?
Thought to be a strong South Carolina lean due to his father being on the strength staff in Columbia, Irmo (S.C.) Dutch Fork four-star edge rusher Julian Walker shocked the college football world when he chose Michigan football over the Gamecocks.
Walker visited Ann Arbor for Victors Weekend on June 20 and thus completes the picture he posted emanating from that weekend’s photoshoot, featuring him, Tariq Boney, Carter Meadows, and Titan Davis. He was also strongly considering North Carolina and USC, and had offers from Auburn, Kentucky, Syracuse, NC State, Virginia Tech, and others.
Scouting report and ranking
Here’s the scouting report from 247Sports’ Clint Brewster:
Walker possesses great overall size and length that correlates well to the next level as a 3-4 defensive lineman. He has fluid movements to get past the offensive tackle from both inside and outside rushes. Chases the ball with a great motor and can turn and flatten down the line of scrimmage. Plays with reactive quickness and has a counter move. Walker has the strength and toughness to be disruptive against the run and make plays as a true 3-down player. Depending on body type and how he develops, Walker could potentially move inside on passing downs.
Walker is listed at 6-foot-6, 252 pounds and is ranked highest by On3, which has him at No. 136 overall, regardless of position.
The rest of the class
With Walker in the fold, the Wolverines only really have one defensive line target remaining in Suwanee (Ga.) Collins Hill four-star defensive tackle Deuce Geralds.
All rankings by the 247Sports Composite
Michigan is hoping to get good news throughout the week, with other players such as cornerback Donovan Webb, wide receivers Travis Johnson and Calvin Russell, offensive lineman John Turntine III, and cornerback Dorian Barney deciding.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football’s 2026 class grows with 4-star edge rusher Julian Walker
Reporting by Isaiah Hole, Wolverines Wire / Wolverines Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
