The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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54 THE WOLVERINE ❱ DECEMBER 2024 ❱ COMMIT PROFILE BY EJ HOLLAND M ichigan is off and running in the 2026 recruiting cycle. The Wolverines now hold three early verbal commitments, with the latest pledge coming from Dallas (Texas) Par- ish Episcopal wide receiver Jaylen Pile. The three-star prospect visited Michigan three times this calendar year, including for the game against Texas back in September. That trip helped the Wolverines eventually secure his verbal pledge. "I loved the environment," Pile said. "Seeing 110,000 people in the stadium all rocking was amazing. Their 'Go Blue Supports You' walkout was everything I imagined. It was so hype. I was trying to talk to my dad next to me, and we couldn't even hear each other because it was so loud and electric. "Despite them losing, it's good to see them play a tougher team and see how they face adversity and respond from it." This visit also gave Pile, On3's 153rd- rated wide receiver in the early 2026 rankings (and No. 91 in the On3 Indus- try Ranking, a weighted average of the four major recruiting services), an op- portunity to reconnect with Michigan wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy, who played a key role in landing him. "After the game, I got to speak with him a little bit," Pile said. "We had a dinner with some of the other recruits, and the coaches came through. I always enjoy talking to him. I have a lot of com- munication with him. "Going into the visit, I got to Face- Time with the whole offensive staff, including Coach [Sherrone] Moore and Coach Bellamy. It's always good to see him in person." Pile is the son of former NFL defen- sive back Willie Pile, who was a sev- enth-round NFL Draft selection coming out of Virginia Tech. Willie spent time with both the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys. The older Pile and Bellamy actually have an interesting connection. They both participated in the East-West Shrine Game as college seniors. "You have a coach who has played the game and taught the game," Willie said. "He comes from a high school back- ground in coaching, so those guys are typically developers. They communi- cate a little bit differently. They break things down in a little more detail. He can speak from rudimentary all the way up to the high-level intricacies of play- ing receiver. "When we talked to him, he told us he watched Jaylen's first game and liked what he saw. I asked him how he breaks down skill versus scheme, and we had a really insightful conversation about what it's like to evaluate an athlete. "Jaylen's high-level skill-wise and plays in a scheme that allows him to play at a high level because they throw the ball around and have a good quarter- back. Those are the types of conversa- tions we have now. It's more how do we beat double and triple teams and not just, 'Did you enjoy the game?'" Willie added that he sees his son as a perfect fit in Michigan's pro-style of- fensive scheme. "To play in Michigan's pro-style offense, you have to do all the little things," Willie said. "No block, no rock. We have film of that. We discussed that with Ron in person. "He had a couple of homework as- signments for Jaylen, and that's going to keep his brain stimulated. That's go- ing to help him prepare for a high-level program like Michigan. I don't think we saw the full capabilities of the scheme against Texas." Jaylen is also forming a strong friend- ship with On3 Top 100 2026 Michigan quarterback commit Brady Hart and can't wait to lead the offensive revolu- tion in Ann Arbor. "I was actually texting him before the game," Pile said. "I wanted to hang out with him, but he had to play IMG. We talk all the time. It's been great keeping a good relationship with him. "There is something about him. Peo- ple gravitate towards him. We can make a great duo." ❑ Michigan Adds Texas Wide Receiver Jaylen Pile To 2026 Class Pile is rated as the No. 153 wide receiver in the early 2026 rankings by On3 and No. 91 in the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average of the four major recruiting services. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND PLAYER EVALUATION STRENGTHS: At 6-foot, 178 pounds, Pile is a high-end route runner who consistently gets open. He has a excellent football IQ, and as the son of a former NFL defensive back, he knows how to find soft spots in opposing defenses. Pile has strong hands and is a natural pass catcher. He is also a very willing run blocker. Pile projects best as a slot receiver in Michigan's offense but also has the flexibility to play on the outside. WEAKNESSES: Pile checks a lot of boxes but definitely lacks speed. He ran an 11.92 100-meter time going into his junior season, which would make him one of the slower wide receivers on the current roster. Pile needs to improve his speed and explosiveness in order to become a true offensive weapon as opposed to a reliable rotational player. MICHIGAN PLAYER COMPARISON: Pile shares some similarities with 2024 Michigan wide receiver signee I'Marion Stewart. Remember, Stewart wasn't a downfield burner, but he was a quick, crafty route runner with a knack for consistently getting open. Stewart was also a reliable pass catcher out of the slot. The same goes for Pile. Both may have to wait for their opportunities, but they are good fits and do a lot of the things that Bellamy looks for at the position. — EJ Holland