Three-star LB Mantrez Walker decommits from Michigan

Michigan lost a verbal commit in the 2025 class on Monday.

Buford (Ga.) High three-star linebacker Mantrez Walker announced on social media that he’ll continue to explore options and back out of his pledge with the Wolverines.

“First off, I would like to thank the Michigan staff for allowing me to represent their university as a student athlete,” Walker wrote on X. “After lots of talks with my mom and dad, I have come to the decision to announce that I will be decommitting from the University of Michigan.”

Walker, who originally pledged in early February, is the No. 398 overall prospect and No. 37 linebacker in the country, per the On3 Industry Ranking. He’s also the No. 40 player in Georgia. On3 has Walker ranked as the No. 48 linebacker nationally and No. 53 Georgia recruit.

Michigan formally delivered an offer to Walker this past December when the coaching staff visited Buford immediately following the Big Ten Championship game.

At 5-foot-11, 215 pounds, Walker took his first-ever visit to Ann Arbor in January when former linebackers coach George Helow was still on staff. Walker quickly shared the commitment on February 11, becoming the second prospect in the 2025 class to join the two-time defending Big Ten Champions.

“I’m still committed to Michigan,” Walker told The Wolverine reporter EJ Holland in late August. “I feel like I have a pretty good relationship with Michigan right now. I feel like I’m pretty solid. I think I’m a great fit for the defensive scheme.”

Michigan currently has two commitments in its 2025 recruiting class — Top 100 Miami (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna defensive back Chris Ewald and four-star Howell (Mich.) High defensive lineman Bobby Kanka. Before Walker decommitted, the Wolverines were No. 7 overall in the 2025 On3 Industry National Team Recruiting Rankings.

Ewald was the first to commit to the class in December. Meanwhile, Kanka is the first 2025 in-stater to stay home after returning to Michigan for the late July BBQ at The Big House.

Despite losing Walker, U-M is heavily targeting Buford teammate and 2025 three-star running back Justin Baker, who visited campus for the first time in early June.

“Michigan is great,” Baker told The Wolverine. “They have a really good coaching staff. Me and Coach (Mike) Hart have a really good relationship. I also have a really good relationship with Coach (Jim) Harbaugh. We talk pretty often. They are definitely a top contender.”