4-star OT chooses Michigan football over Alabama, Penn State
The post 4-star OT chooses Michigan football over Alabama, Penn State appeared first on ClutchPoints.
The Michigan football team is getting hot on the recruiting trail as the Wolverines just landed their second commitment of the day. Wednesday has been a good one as Michigan first landed a commitment from four-star wide receiver Zion Robinson, and then it got better when four-star offensive tackle Marky Walbridge committed to the Wolverines as well. Walbridge was choosing between Michigan, Penn State and Alabama, and he chose to play for head coach Sherrone Moore and the Wolverines.
Advertisement
'BREAKING: Four-Star OT Marky Walbridge has Committed to Michigan, he tells me for @on3recruits,' Hayes Fawcett said in a post. 'The 6'6 270 OT from Needham, MA chose the Wolverines over Alabama & Penn State.'
Marky Walbridge kept things short and sweet with his Michigan football commitment message:
'Go Blue 〽️,' he said.
Walbridge is a four-star recruit according to On3, but according to 247Sports' composite rankings, he is a three-star. Walbridge is the #447 player in the 2026 recruiting class, the #38 OT and the #2 player in the state of Massachusetts. He currently attends St. Sebastian's high school in Needham, MA.
Advertisement
The Michigan football team picked up a recruiting win over Alabama earlier this week as well when four-star defensive lineman Titan Davis chose the Wolverines over the Crimson Tide. These recruiting wins are just the latest victories for Michigan in their recent run of dominance against Alabama.
Michigan and Alabama played each other on the gridiron twice during the 2024 calendar year, and the Wolverines won both matchups. The two teams played each other in the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff semi on New Year's Day to start the year, and Michigan won that one before winning the national championship about a week later. Then, the two teams played again on New Year's Eve in the ReliaQuest Bowl to end the year. Alabama was a big favorite, but Michigan won that game as well.
From winning on the field to winning with recruits, Michigan has had Alabama's number as of late. That has to feel great for the Wolverines.
This is another good pickup for Sherrone Moore and the Michigan football team, and the Wolverines have quickly seen their 2026 recruiting class surge in the rankings. Michigan's class was ranked #32 in the country earlier on Wednesday, and it is now all the way up to #15, according to 247Sports. Even more good news for Michigan: The program is still expecting multiple commitments to come in the coming weeks. This class should end up being one of the best in the country.
Related: Wisconsin release statement on RB's 'tragic passing'
Related: Oregon football's top 3 2026 targets after whiffing on Jared Curtis, Ryder Lyons
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Houston Rockets Signing Three Players
Houston Rockets Signing Three Players originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Houston Rockets have been one of the busiest teams in the NBA. They have acquired Kevin Durant in free agency as well as signed their free agents. The Houston Rockets intend to sign their free agents Jae'Sean Tate, Aaron Holiday, and Jeff Green on new contracts to bring them all back for next season, sources tell ESPN. In 2020, Tate signed his first NBA contract. As a rookie with the Houston Rockets, he made an immediate impression starting over 50 games while averaging over 11.3 ppg and earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team. He hasn't played a lot of minutes in recent seasons but he is still a valuable member of the team. Advertisement Holiday is comfortable handling the ball or ceding playmaking to teammates when needed, allowing flexible backcourt alignments. Even off the bench, he's known to stay prepared and engaged which makes him part of Houston's "stay ready" bench identity. Holiday will be needed to give starter Fred VanVleet a breather as he has been effective and efficient as a backup. Green's legacy with the Rockets is defined less by numbers and more by impact. He has helped bridge eras in Houston as a veteran presence during rebuilds, experienced leadership during diagnosis phases, and still-consistent production when needed. Many consider him a player-coach on and off the court. All three players will continue to add depth to an already deep Rockets team. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Broncos Safety Keidron Smith's Roster Hopes Hanging by a Thread
Broncos Safety Keidron Smith's Roster Hopes Hanging by a Thread originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Once an undrafted fringe player, Keidron Smith surprised many by making the Denver Broncos' 53-man roster after a strong preseason in 2024, contributing on special teams during the regular season. Advertisement He was waived after playing in nine games, ultimately landing on the practice squad, but has another shot at making the Broncos' roster in training camp this year. According to Christopher Hart of Mile High Report, Smith is battling with several other players for a roster spot at the safety position, and he may be in danger of being cut. "Talanoa Hufanga, Brandon Jones, and P.J. Locke are the three players I feel are the safe locks for the roster. That leaves five players fighting for two spots," Hart said. "Standing out on special teams and making the most of his time in defensive reps during the preseason will be paramount in order to make the team." Denver Broncos safety Keidron Smith (43) recovers fumble in the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Empower Field at Mile Chenoy-Imagn Images Hart acknowledges Smith's time in college at the University of Kentucky as extremely productive and credits him for shining in the preseason, snagging multiple interceptions, as a main reason why he made the roster last year. Advertisement "Without question, the training camp battles for the backup spots on the roster on the backend of the team's defense will be some of the most competitive," Hart said. Smith's journey is just another example of how tough it is to make it in the NFL. As Denver heads into training camp, he must prove he has more than just the flashes he showed to make the active roster this season. Related: Broncos Newest Addition Expected to Get Bulk of Snaps in Offense This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Oliver Giroud admits he "didn't fit" LAFC, but is eager to "challenge myself one more time" at Lille
Los Angeles FC forward Olivier Giroud (9) shoots during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps, in Los Angeles, Sunday, June 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) Los Angeles FC forward Olivier Giroud, center right top, exits during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps in Los Angeles, Sunday, June 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) Los Angeles FC forward Olivier Giroud controls the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps in Los Angeles, Sunday, June 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) Los Angeles FC forward Olivier Giroud controls the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps in Los Angeles, Sunday, June 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) Los Angeles FC forward Olivier Giroud (9) shoots during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps, in Los Angeles, Sunday, June 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) Los Angeles FC forward Olivier Giroud, center right top, exits during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps in Los Angeles, Sunday, June 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) Los Angeles FC forward Olivier Giroud controls the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps in Los Angeles, Sunday, June 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) LOS ANGELES (AP) — Olivier Giroud admits his brief tenure at Los Angeles FC was disappointing, although he will cherish the friendships and the trophy he gathered during his year in Major League Soccer. The 38-year-old striker is eager to play once again in France after 13 years away, and he confirmed Sunday night that he will join Lille to take on one more challenge in his storied career. Advertisement The top goal-scorer in the history of the French national team said farewell to LAFC by going scoreless and coming off with what he called tendon pain after 60 minutes in a 1-0 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps. Giroud had a golden opportunity to score in front of goal early in the second half, but volleyed a pass from Denis Bouanga over the bar. Giroud was still given a standing ovation by the BMO Stadium fans who stayed firmly behind him while he scored just five goals in 38 matches for their club. 'I wish I could have had a bigger impact on the team, on the results,' Giroud said. 'At the end, it was a good experience. Obviously I can't stay longer, so I need a new chapter. I need to challenge myself one more time, and when I had the opportunity to come back (to) France, I just grabbed it. I wish nothing but the best for the club. I tried hard. I tried my best.' Giroud was under contract until the end of the current MLS season, but LAFC and Giroud mutually agreed to part ways so he could leave on a free transfer. He confirmed he will soon join Lille, which finished fifth in Ligue 1 last season to earn a Europa League place. Advertisement 'I think the French people are happy that Paul Pogba, myself are coming back in the French league,' Giroud said of his Monaco-bound friend and teammate on France's World Cup-winning team in 2018. 'If you would have asked me a few years before, I would have answered you that was not the plan to come back, but you never know, and never say no,' Giroud added. 'I think this club ticked a lot of boxes for me and for my family. (I) hope that I can be helpful for the team, being a leader and a link-up player on the field, but (also) off the pitch between the youngsters and the staff. I'm excited because we also play Europa League. It's very positive. It's a big club in France, Lille. Top five.' Giroud hasn't played in Ligue 1 since 2012, when he left Montpellier for the start of his famed six-year tenure at Arsenal. He subsequently won the Champions League and the Europa League with Chelsea before winning Serie A with AC Milan. Giroud moved to LAFC in July 2024, but he now acknowledges he never fit into the system played by LAFC and its championship-winning coach, Steve Cherundolo — who is also leaving the club this fall. Advertisement 'If you know football, you understand that in one sense, yeah, I didn't really fit to maybe the game style, I would say,' Giroud said. 'Just being honest. I try to adapt. I try my best one more time, but I can't do something I'm not used to (doing) and I don't know how to do.' Cherundolo favors a transition game emphasizing counterattacks and play up the sides, which doesn't mesh with Giroud's 38-year-old pace up the middle. In a scenario familiar across MLS, LAFC struggled to find a playmaker capable of providing service to an elite goal-scorer like Giroud, who excels on crosses in the box. Giroud was relegated to a substitute role in most matches despite wearing the No. 9 shirt, and he made a major impact in only a handful of outings — most memorably his goal in LAFC's victory in the U.S. Open Cup final last year. 'We did not use the cross a lot, which is my main strength in the box,' Giroud said. 'And yeah, I had the feeling that we would play a lot in transition, so it's not the best for me. ... I know what I can bring to the team, but I know what I can't do also. I think it's time to say goodbye now, and one more time to wish all the best to the boys because I love them. I will miss LA, but on the other hand, I'm really excited to have another challenge.' ___ AP soccer:
