The Michigan Wolverines suffered their first loss of the season of Saturday against Oklahoma, and while that was happening, one of the team’s top commits was visiting an SEC school. Let’s get into that and more in today’s Recruiting Roundup.
Michigan commit discusses game day visit to SEC school
2026 four-star edge rusher Julian Walker committed to Michigan back in July. However, the South Carolina native appears to be exploring his options, as he visited his in-state school this weekend. South Carolina is working hard to flip him away.
“It was good getting
back in the building and seeing everyone,” Walker told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong ($). “I had great conversations with the coaching staff. Coach Beamer and I had a really good talk. Willy B is a special place and the fan base’s support is elite. I spent a lot of time with Darren Uscher and Sterling Lucas and they made it clear they aren’t done with this recruitment.”
Remember, Walker’s dad works as a strength coach at South Carolina. That will obviously help the Gamecocks in their efforts to flip him away from Michigan.
“The fact that my father is there is always the most important thing to me,” Walker said. “He has trained and developed me my whole life. I’m most familiar with the weight room and how they do things. I know I’ll be developed physically at a high level. Then there’s Sterling Lucas, he’s my guy. He the one who stays in contact with me, and it’s not just ball.”
Hopefully Michigan can keep the commitment here, but given Walker’s dad’s role with South Carolina’s football program, it’s definitely not a guarantee.
Michigan looking to flip 2026 Iowa commit
South Carolina is looking to flip a Michigan commit, and the Wolverines are hoping to flip 2026 three-star Iowa commit Billy Weivoda. The Wolverines recently offered the 6-foot-2 linebacker from Georgia, and he is feeling good about it.
“They hit my phone up while I was in school and when I got out, we hopped on the phone had a great conversation and then they pulled the trigger,” Weivoda told The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich ($). “It’s a blessing.”
Weivoda committed to Iowa back in June, but it doesn’t sound like he is done exploring other schools.
“I will say my options are still open,” he admitted.
The Wolverines only have one linebacker currently committed in the 2026 class — three-star Markel Dabney — so they appear eager to add one more before signing day. Flipping a recruit from another Big Ten school is always fun, so this is definitely a recruitment that Michigan fans should pay attention to moving forward.
Michigan going after brother of former Wolverine
Remember Kyle Kalis? He played offensive line for Michigan back in the 2010s. Now, his brother, Jimmy Kalis, is an elite recruit in the 2027 class. Jimmy, who is also an offensive lineman, is starting to think about some top schools, but he is also focused on his high school season.
“I’m just taking it slow right now,” Kalis told On3’s Ethan McDowell ($). “I’ve got a few schools set out in my head, but I’m not ready to make anything public. I really just want to focus on the team right now. This fall, I’ll be going to schools I’m really interested in.”
Kalis noted he will come to Ann Arbor this fall, and he thinks it would be cool to follow in his brother’s footsteps at Michigan.
“I kind of grew up around that type of ball,” he said. “I remember all of those games, watching my brother play in those, but I think it’s just cool for me to experience all of that too and just continue on my family’s legacy.”
Offensive line coach Grant Newsome is recruiting him hard, and the two of them are forming a strong bond.
“Coach Newsome, he’s a great guy,” Kalis said. “He always texts me about what to do and what drills they are doing, and I’m pretty sure he’ll probably text me after this game and say something.”
Quick Hitters
- Michigan extended an offer to 2028 four-star quarterback Wonderful Monds.
- Julian Walker, despite the visit to South Carolina, remains committed to Michigan, and he even set a return visit to Ann Arbor for the Wisconsin game, according to The Michigan Insider ($).
- Michigan also recently offered 2027 three-star offensive lineman Jakari Lipsey.
