Michigan Beats Out Rivals Notre Dame With Two Big Recruitment Victories

Sherrone Moore and his Michigan Wolverines landed two big recruits for the class of 2026 this week: Alister Vallejo and McHale Blade. Both of the 4-star defensive linemen were recruited by D-line coach, Lou Esposito, who ultimately swayed them both to choose Michigan.

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Not only are Vallejo and Blade two huge additions to Michigan’s D-line in 2026, they are also two players who won’t be playing for Michigan rivals, Notre Dame. Notre Dame has taken an interest in many of the same players as Michigan, and this week at least, it seems Michigan has pulled ahead in the recruitment battle.

Vallejo and Blade Kept Notre Dame on Their Radars Until the End

 

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Michigan extended an official offer to Alister Vallejo on April 13th of this year, and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish extended their offer the very next day. McHale Blade received his offer from Notre Dame at the end of his sophomore season, on March 17th, 2024, meanwhile the Wolverines did not extend an offer to the Edge until May 10th, 2024. Regardless of their two very different recruiting timelines, coach Esposito clearly made a strong impression on both of them.

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Notre Dame was the tenth official offer for McHale Blade, over a year prior to his commitment to Michigan. By that time, he had narrowed down his commitment to Michigan, Notre Dame, and USC. Vallejo on the other hand, received all but one of his 11 offers in the first quarter of 2025, giving him less time to narrow down his decision, which ultimately came to Michigan, Notre Dame, and Kansas. After official visits to Ann Arbor, both recruits decided to take their talents there over South Bend.

Alister Vallejo and McHale Blade should both be major assets to the Wolverines come 2026, and fans will certainly welcome them with open arms. That Lou Esposito landed both of them over Notre Dame, though, should make their arrival in Ann Arbor next spring all the sweeter.

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