Michigan football top-100 recruit flips to South Carolina

Published: Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 5:01 pm

Michigan Football Suffers Recruiting Setback as Top Recruit Flips to South Carolina

Ann Arbor, MI - The University of Michigan Wolverines football program experienced a significant blow to its recruiting efforts on Thursday, losing a highly-rated prospect to the South Carolina Gamecocks. Four-star edge rusher Julian Walker, a top-100 recruit in the class of 2026, announced his decision to decommit from Michigan and commit to South Carolina during a ceremony at his high school.

Walker's decision comes as a disappointment for the Wolverines, who had secured his commitment since July. Ranked as the No. 96 overall player nationally by the 247Sports Composite rankings, Walker is considered a promising talent with the potential to make an immediate impact at the college level. His physical attributes include a height of 6 feet 5 inches and a weight of 252 pounds.

The move to South Carolina allows Walker to stay closer to home and play for his father, who is a strength coach on the Gamecocks' staff. Walker's mother also recently visited the campus. Walker is also an invitee to the Navy All-American Bowl and will compete for a state championship this weekend.

Scouting reports highlight Walker's athleticism and ability to disrupt opposing offenses. He is described as an active edge defender who can effectively cover ground and create pressure on quarterbacks.

Despite the loss of Walker, Michigan's 2026 recruiting class still includes two other edge prospects, including five-star recruit Carter Meadows. The Wolverines' class now stands at 26 recruits and was ranked 11th nationally before the recent changes.

BNN's Perspective: While the loss of a top recruit is never ideal, it's important to remember that recruiting is a dynamic process. Michigan's program remains strong, and the coaching staff will undoubtedly work to fill the void left by Walker's departure. The fact that they still have a highly ranked class shows the program's continued appeal.

Keywords: Michigan football, recruiting, South Carolina, Julian Walker, edge rusher, commitment, decommit, 2026 class, Wolverines, Gamecocks, college football, top 100, Carter Meadows

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