A Michigan Wolverines helmet. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Michigan steals four-star EDGE from South Carolina, others

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 9:59 PM ET

The Michigan Wolverines dug deep into the south to pull out one of the better EDGE players in the 2026 class.

Specifically, the Wolverines mined the state of South Carolina to steal four-star EDGE Julian Walker right out from under the nose of the Gamecocks.

Walker, from Irmo, South Carolina, committed to Michigan on Tuesday.

BREAKING: Four-Star EDGE Julian Walker has Committed to Michigan, he tells me for @rivals

The 6’6 250 EDGE from Columbia, SC chose the Wolverines over North Carolina & South Carolina

“I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to be a MICHIGAN MAN.”https://t.co/a9ciGx3gYJ pic.twitter.com/wl21hGHrdA
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 1, 2025

The fact that Michigan was able to snag Walker away from South Carolina is a credit to head coach Sherrone Moore and Walker's primary recruiter at Michigan, defensive line coach Lou Esposito.

Walker's hometown, Irmo, is a 20-minute drive away from South Carolina's campus in Columbia. Not only that, but his father, Jamil Walker, is on the Gamecocks' staff. He's an assistant strength and conditioning coach.

Those are two major ties to the Gamecocks, but Michigan was able to prevail. Walker did take official visits to North Carolina, NC State, South Carolina and Michigan.

That visit to Michigan came last and it obviously made an impact. A few weeks later, he's now committed to the Wolverines.

Walker checks in at 6-foot-6 and 252 pounds, which is an elite size for an EDGE entering his senior season of high school. According to 247Sports, he's the No. 16 EDGE in the 2026 class.

He's also Michigan's 19th 2026 commitment.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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