Michigan football scored a major victory on the recruiting trail with the commitment of top-100 quarterback. His pledge ends a two-month dry spell for the Wolverines and could help spark some much-needed momentum in their 2026 recruiting efforts.
Iop prospect has been a longtime target for Michigan. Before Bryce Underwood committed to the Wolverines, he was one of the two quarterbacks Michigan prioritized for the 2026 class. The other was Brady Hart, who initially committed to Michigan before reclassifying and ultimately signing with Texas A&M. After Hart’s decision, he committed to Florida State, but he reopened his recruitment this winter, giving Michigan a second opportunity to secure his commitment.
Standing at 6’5″, he is a polished pocket passer who has dominated the high school scene in California. He’s the type of quarterback who could serve as a reliable backup to Bryce Underwood for a few seasons before stepping into a leadership role and commanding the offense with confidence.
What makes Smigiel’s commitment even more encouraging is the shift it signals in Michigan’s recruiting strategy. After landing JJ McCarthy, their last five-star quarterback, Michigan eased up on aggressively pursuing top quarterbacks in subsequent classes, settling for developmental prospects who ultimately didn’t pan out — a mistake that showed last season.
Maintaining consistent talent at the quarterback position is critical, and Smigiel represents exactly that. His early commitment is a huge boost for Michigan’s 2026 class, providing a vocal leader who can help rally other top recruits to Ann Arbor.