Michigan lands commitment from key LB target Chase Taylor

Michigan has scored a key win on the recruiting trail.

Three-star Stockbridge (Ga.) High linebacker Chase Taylor gave the Wolverines a verbal pledge after his official visit this weekend.

Taylor committed to Michigan over fellow finalists Georgia Tech and USC.

“Coach Wink (Wink Martindale) was in the NFL coaching 20-plus years, so that’s big,” Taylor said. “Getting to that next level and developing me. I’ve been talking to Coach BJ (Brian-Jean Mary) since he was at Tennessee, so that relationship is pretty good.

“It’s a brotherhood. Can’t wait to go to work. Go Blue.”

New Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale and new linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary led the way in this recruitment.

Both visited Taylor in the spring and put U-M in a strong position to close heading into Victors Weekend. The Wolverines also impressed him during his time in Ann Arbor.

“They left a great impression on me,” Taylor said. “I talked to the coaches like Coach BJ (Brian Jean-Mary) and Coach Wink (Martindale). I talked to a lot of them. They definitely left a good impression on me. I got the campus tour and met with the coaches. It was fun.”

At 6-foot-3, 201 pounds, Taylor is a long, intriguing linebacker that can play the WILL or rush the passer. Michigan is known for its ability to develop prospects with his size and skillset, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

And that’s something that is very appealing to Taylor.

“Development is definitely big,” Taylor said. “I definitely want to make it to the next level, so it’s going to be big for me.”

Taylor is ranked as the No. 69 linebacker and No. 601 overall prospect nationally this cycle, per the On3 Industry Ranking. He is also ranked as the No. 64 overall recruit in the state of Georgia.

Michigan now has 12 commits in its 2025 recruiting class — Taylor, Top 100 Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga defensive back Kainoa Winston, Top 100 Oak Park (Ill.) Fenwick defensive lineman Nate Marshall, On300 Fort Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot quarterback Carter Smith, On300 Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy running back Donovan Johnson, four-star New Orleans (La.) Archbishop Shaw wide receiver Jacob Washington, four-star Palatine (Ill.) High EDGE Jaylen Williams, four-star Birmingham (Mich.) Groves offensive lineman Avery Gach, four-star Howell (Mich.) High defensive lineman Bobby Kanka, three-star New Orleans (La.) Archbishop Shaw running back Jasper Parker, three-star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy offensive lineman Kaden Strayhorn and three-star Alcoa (Tenn.) High tight end Eli Owens.

The class entered the day ranked No. 13 nationally and No. 4 in the Big Ten, per the On3 Industry national team recruiting rankings. The Wolverines currently sit behind Ohio State, Oregon and USC.