A chance to fulfill a father's dream: Rising 2026 WR Jaylen Pile has unique connection to Michigan

Willie Pile was so close to becoming a Michigan Wolverine.

A former NFL safety, Pile was recruited heavily by Michigan in the late 90s. He grew up idolizing the Fab Five and dreamed of one day sporting the Maize and Blue.

“I grew up in the Fab Five era,” Pile said. “I was a hooper before I got to high school. All I thought about was Michigan. I always watched Michigan basketball and had an affinity for them. When I was in high school, I started paying attention to their football team, and my favorite player was Charles Woodson. My sons wear No. 2 because of Charles Woodson and Derek Jeter — two Michigan Men.”

Pile was close to making his dream come true when he camped with Michigan between his junior and senior year. Pile impressed the coaching staff with his performance and even notched the camp award for top defensive back.

“My mom could only send me to one camp in high school, and the one camp she sent me to was the Michigan camp,” Pile said. “I had a great time. That was the year they ended up winning the national championship. I enjoyed everything at the school. They had a great business program and top football. They checked all of the boxes. I just didn’t get the offer.”

That offer went to fellow DMV prospect Cato June, who committed to the Wolverines and went on to wear the famed No. 2 jersey in Ann Arbor. June had a successful career and became the first Michigan safety drafted in a decade when the Indianapolis Colts selected him in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft.

Pile was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs a round later in that same draft. When Michigan went with June, Pile decided to stay closer to home and starred for Virginia Tech. He eventually finished his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys and relocated to Texas permanently.

This winter, Pile’s son, Jaylen Pile, a three-star 2026 wide receiver from Dallas (Texas) Parish Episcopal, received the offer that Willie coveted so much.

“It felt unreal to get the Michigan offer,” Jaylen said. “With Michigan coming off a national championship, it just means more. Michigan is a school that I’ve been looking at since I was really young. Like my dad said, that was his dream school. I’ve carried No. 2 with me my entire life. When my dad told me Coach (Ron) Bellamy was on the phone, it was like I was in a dream.”

Michigan wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy was in the same NFL Draft class as both June and Willie. In fact, Bellamy competed with Willie in the East-West Shrine Game.

Now, Bellamy has the opportunity to recruit his son.

“Bellamy talked to Jaylen about how he was big on development and pushing these kids on and off the field,” Willie said. “Those things meant a lot to me as a parent to hear. I know it’s not just recruiting talk. He lived it. He said ‘I know what it’s like to come from a southern state and play at Michigan.’ It was cool for everything to come full circle with him.”

Bellamy went undrafted in 2003 but caught on with the Miami Dolphins, where he practiced alongside fellow undrafted wide receiver Margin Hooks. The two have remained friends throughout the years, and Hooks is now of the top private wide receiver trainers in the country.

Hooks is based in Dallas and works closely with Jaylen, which gives him yet another connection to Michigan.

“I’ve been going with (Hooks) every single weekend since I was in eighth grade,” Jaylen said. “He’s really helped me turn into the wide receiver I am now. He had nothing but great words about Coach Bellamy. He said he was a great teammate and an even better coach. He was really excited when I told him I got the offer from Michigan.”

Jaylen is now set to make an unofficial visit to Michigan this weekend and is excited to get an in-depth look at a program he’s heard so much about.

“I really want to see a practice,” Jaylen said. “I want to see how Coach Bellamy works with the wide receivers in individuals, how they get their drill work in and how they compete against each other. That’s where the games are won.”

For Willie, this visit will back a walk down memory lane.

“I remember that the campus was pretty,” Willie said. “I remember the gate and the brick around the practice field. It was like top secret and secure. I remember how intense the strength coach was. When we go back up there, I’m looking at how they develop. Michigan is a top school, so I’m looking at the student support. Jaylen is an excellent student. He wants to study business. Those are the things we’re looking at. Just understanding the total development of the student-athlete.

“It’s going to be surreal for me because my son gets to check out a university that I held in high regard. Michigan is a team that I still root for when Virginia Tech isn’t playing.”

Willie never got to don the winged helmet. But maybe Jaylen will.