Michigan football predicted to land 4-star EDGE McHale Blade

Summertime means the temperatures are rising, but college football recruiting heats up too. Michigan has seven players committed from the class of 2026, but that number could double by the time week one arrives on Aug. 30.

Over the weekend, 2026 EDGE McHale Blade made his fifth visit to Ann Arbor. On3 analysts Steve Wiltfong and EJ Holland subsequently predicted ($) Blade to commit to the Wolverines.

2026 EDGE McHale Blade trending towards a commitment to Michigan

Entering his senior season at Simeon High (Chicago, Ill.), Blade is ranked as a top-5 player in Illinois and the No. 21 EDGE in the country, according to On3 Industry Rankings. The 6-foot-5, 255-pounder said Michigan defensive line coach Lou Esposito made quite the impression.

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“I can just tell he’s a great ball coach, but most importantly to me, he’s a great person,” Blade said on The Michigan Insider’s radio show. “He seems super genuine; he’s super down to earth. Every conversation I have with him, it’s just like man, he’s so cool.

“As a coach, I can tell he’s really into development (and) developing his guys. Just watching him practice, Michigan has some really great edge rushers, but I can tell that coach Espo is looking to make them ever better.”

#GoBlue @UMichFootball pic.twitter.com/ivuDsfyF9I

— McHale Blade (@McHaleBlade) June 8, 2025

According to Holland, Blade has a connection with head coach Sherrone Moore and freshman QB Bryce Underwood. Notre Dame is considered to be the other school atop Blade’s list. On3 gives the Fighting Irish a 20.3 percent chance to land Blade, while Michigan is ahead at 72.8 percent.

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Blade would be the second EDGE commitment for the Wolverines this cycle, as Tariq Boney gave his pledge in April.

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