4-star DL Jaylen Williams commits to Michigan

Palatine (Ill.) four-star defensive lineman Jaylen Williams has committed to Michigan, he tells On3’s Hayes Fawcett.

He chose the Wolverines over Nebraska, Tennessee and Texas A&M.

Williams is the No. 278 overall prospect and No. 22 DL in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 6 player in Illinois.

For more Michigan recruiting intel, check out The Wolverine.

Williams was in Ann Arbor to watch Michigan take down Ohio State at the Big House to clinch a spot in the Big Ten Championship. He logged his official visit with the Wolverines over the weekend and is now the sixth 2025 commitment this cycle for Sherrone Moore and Co.

“The visit was insane. The actual game was crazy,” Williams told The Wolverine following his November visit. “Those fans are different from any fans I’ve seen so far. I’ve seen some loud fans but not fans like the ones I saw at the game.”

Wolverines add another blue-chipper to 2025 class

With the addition of Williams, all but one of U-M’s commits this cycle are four-star recruits. The class now ranks No. 17 in the nation and No. 5 in the Big Ten, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

Oak Park (Ill.) Fenwick top-50 defensive lineman Nate Marshall provided a jolt back in April, as he quickly pledged to U-M coming off a spring visit to Ann Arbor. He headlines the class as the No. 45 overall recruit and the No. 4 DL in the 2025 cycle.

Last month, Marshall emphasized his commitment, telling On3’s Kyle Kelly that he was “all Go Blue.”

“I’m pretty confident in what we have going on at Michigan with our recruiting class coming in. I feel like we can build it up to be great,” Marshall said. “The ’24 class is already great, plus the people we have there now. I feel like we’re fine at Michigan.”

Fort Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot four-star quarterback pledge Carter Smith has continued to see his stock rise as he prepares to enter his senior season. Now the No. 16 signal-caller in the class, Smith has been committed to the Wolverines since Nov. 14.

Franklin (Mich.) Wylie E. Groves four-star interior offensive lineman Avery Gach is the latest addition to the class, as he pledged on May 3. The hulking lineman is the No. 2 player in Michigan and checks in just outside the top 250 overall. Howell (Mich.) four-star defensive lineman Bobby Kanka and Alcoa (Tenn.) three-star tight end Eli Owens currently round out the class.