In today’s college football landscape, verbal commitments often shift quickly with NIL money, transfer portal exits, and the absence of binding National Letters of Intent. That uncertainty makes the latest news out of Ann Arbor all the more important for Michigan.
Four-star defensive lineman Alister Vallejo has confirmed that he is staying with the Wolverines despite a wave of new attention from other national programs.
Head coach Sherrone Moore, who already has Michigan’s 2026 recruiting class inside the top 10, can breathe easier after Vallejo turned away offers from Miami and Colorado.
The Liberty Hill (Texas) High standout first pledged to Michigan in June, picking the Wolverines over Notre Dame and several in-state schools.
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He later drew fresh offers from the Hurricanes and Buffaloes, but instead of wavering, Vallejo locked in two more trips to Ann Arbor. He is scheduled to attend the Wisconsin game in October and The Game against Ohio State in November.
Vallejo, rated the No. 25 defensive lineman in the 2026 cycle and the No. 31 prospect in Texas, summed up his decision simply when he committed: “Michigan felt like home. I’m all in, Go Blue!”
While his ranking has climbed over the summer, so has the pursuit. Ole Miss, his very first offer, has circled back. Alabama has begun to reach out.
“Alabama has been reaching out to him, which is cool,” said his father, Orlando Vallejo. “My wife went to the University of Colorado. She graduated in 2006. He has ties there. Miami told him that they still wanted to offer and communicate with him. I had a conversation with him, and told him even though you are committed, it’s still cool as heck to get offers from all these schools. It’s kind of validation at this point.”
Even with growing interest, the Vallejo family has no plans to visit other campuses. For now, Michigan remains the priority.
Vallejo is one of 13 four-star recruits in a class headlined by five-stars Savion Hiter and Carter Meadows, giving Moore back-to-back top-10 groups after a No. 6 finish in 2025 that featured current starter Bryce Underwood.