On300 EDGE Jaylen Williams flips commitment from Michigan to Wisconsin

On300 Palatine (Ill.) High EDGE Jaylen Williams flipped his commitment from Michigan to Wisconsin on Wednesday afternoon.

Williams notched an offer from Michigan last spring and made multiple unofficial visits soon after, including for the game against Ohio State.

Michigan was considered the leader for Williams for the majority of the cycle. However, the Wolverines were hindered by offseason staff changes — former defensive line coach Mike Elston bolted for the NFL, while his replacement, Greg Scruggs, was dismissed from the program.

New Michigan defensive line coach Lou Esposito had Michigan right back in the picture going into Williams’ official visit this summer and sealed the deal during his time in Ann Arbor.

Williams seemed solid to Michigan throughout the process and even had this to say last month.

“It’s still Go Blue,” Williams said. “That’s all it is. I’m still locked in. I’ve been there a bunch of times, and it comes down to my relationships with the coaches and the staff. Michigan felt like home when I first visited. It still feels like that.”

However, Williams made a visit to Wisconsin over the weekend. The Badgers impressed him and were able to complete the flip this week.

At 6-foot-5, 255 pounds, Williams is ranked as the No. 23 defensive lineman and No. 253 overall prospect nationally, per the On3 Industry Ranking. He is also ranked as the No. 7 overall recruit in the state of Illinois this cycle.

Michigan now has 18 commits in its 2025 recruiting class — five-star Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley Northwest offensive tackle Andrew Babalola, Top 100 Chester (Va.) Thomas Dale cornerback Shamari Earls, Top 100 Katy (Texas) Jordan wide receiver Andrew Marsh, Top 100 Center Valley (Pa.) Southern Lehigh tight end Andrew Olesh, On300 Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga defensive back Kainoa Winston, On300 Alpharetta (Ga.) High EDGE Julius Holly, On300 Kilgore (Texas) High cornerback Jayden Sanders, On300 New Orleans (La.) Archbishop Shaw wide receiver Jacob Washington, On300 Newburgh (Ind.) Castle defensive lineman Benny Patterson, On300 New Orleans (La.) Archbishop Shaw running back Jasper Parker, four-star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy running back Donovan Johnson, four-star Belleville (Mich.) High defensive back Elijah Dotson, four-star Birmingham (Mich.) Groves offensive lineman Avery Gach, three-star Howell (Mich.) High defensive lineman Bobby Kanka, three-star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy offensive lineman Kaden Strayhorn, three-star Stockbridge (Ga.) High linebacker Chase Taylor, three-star Lake Worth (Fla.) Santaluces wide receiver Jamar Browder and three-star Alcoa (Tenn.) High tight end Eli Owens.

The class entered the day ranked No. 11 nationally and No. 3 in the Big Ten, per the On3 Industry national team recruiting rankings. The Wolverines currently sit behind Ohio State and Oregon.