QB Brady Smigiel commits, Michigan football lands four-star for 2026
As Michigan football players hear their name called in the 2025 NFL Draft, the program may have just landed a quarterback who could hear his name called in the future.
Brady Smigiel, a four-star class of 2026 quarterback from Newbury Park, California, has pledged to join the Wolverines, he announced on social media with a short and simple message in the early afternoon on April 26.
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"All Glory to God — Go Blue! #committed," Smigiel wrote. This came just minutes after coach Sherrone Moore posted on social media "YesSir #GoBlue" with a pair of eyeball emojis. New offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey also chimed in, celebrating the commitment, the first he has secured as a member of the Michigan staff.
Smigiel is ranked the No. 7 quarterback in the nation, the No. 12 player in California and the No. 80 overall player in the class of 2026, according to 247 Sports' composite rankings. Smigel was previously committed to Florida State, but when he decommitted in late January and reopened himself to the process, U-M pounced.
"Smigiel is a big, strong armed pocket passer who has put up huge numbers since his freshman season," wrote 247 Sports national recruiting analyst Greg Biggins. "At the recent Under Armour Next Camp in SoCal, he had a very strong showing, with a tightened release and his usual trademark accuracy to all three levels of the field.
"He's very accurate down the field, knows how to change speeds and throws with really nice touch but can put plenty of heat on his throws when he needs to."
Of course, the Wolverines have a star quarterback in the fold in Bryce Underwood who is entering his true freshman season and is expected to be the face of the program through at least through the 2027 season.
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Still, that didn't prevent Smigiel from joining U-M and Lindsey's offense, which showed in the spring game April 19 that it will look to attack vertically downfield — a dream for passers and something not previously seen in Ann Arbor.
"He's a tough kid, will stand in and take a shot and not flinch," Biggins continued. "Great natural leader, locker room guy and teammate. Very high football lQ, dad is his coach so he has been around the game and has a good natural feel for playing the position.
"Has decent pocket mobility, not a great runner but can buy time and is good making throws outside the pocket. Projects as a high major Power 4 prospect with Sunday potential."
The 6-foot-5, 210-pound prospect is a true pocket passer and now the highest rated recruit in U-M's class of 2026, joining four-star cornerback Brody Jennings (Jacksonville, Florida), four-star offensive lineman Bear McWhorter (Cartersville, Georgia) and three-star wide receiver Jaylen Pile (Dallas).
Newbury Park High quarterback Brady Smigiel is Ventura County Star All-County Football Offensive Player of the Year on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023.
Tony Garcia is the Michigan Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Brady Smigiel, four-star QB for 2026, commits to Michigan football
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