
Under-the-radar Michigan LB with upside and special-teams juice
Markel Dabney arrives at Michigan as a 2026 three-star linebacker who flipped from SMU after a strong late push, and the Wolverines clearly liked his toughness, versatility, and willingness to work. In recruiting coverage, he was listed around 6-foot-1 and 205-210 pounds, with notes that he also played receiver and running back in high school, a hint at balance, athletic feel, and open-field comfort. He’s not a headline-grabber on rankings, but he looks like a classic Michigan fit: physical, coachable, and built to compete for snaps and special teams early.





