The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1543210
42 THE WOLVERINE ❱ MARCH 2026 2026 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY ETHAN MCDOWELL Aden Reeder went into his Michi- gan official visit feeling good about his commitment to Wisconsin, but a child- hood desire to wear the maize and blue still stuck with him. Less than 24 hours aer his trip to Ann Arbor, he flipped his pledge to the Wolverines. The three-star linebacker announced his decision Nov. 6. He spent most of this year pledged to the Badgers, but U-M was always a coveted school for the Cincinnati St. Xavier standout. "I always dreamed of playing in those big games, and aer the visit, I knew that was home," Reeder said. He grew up in the heart of the Buck- eye State with a house split between OSU and Michigan fans. Reeder em- phasized that he rooted for the Wolver- ines. The linebacker visited Michigan for the first time Nov. 1 when the team hosted Purdue. Reeder's persistent desire to don the winged helmet, plus a growing con- nection with the former coaching staff, drew him to Ann Arbor. The people make the place, in Reeder's eyes, and that completed the picture from his Michigan visit. "The tradition is deep-rooted," Reeder said aer his commitment. "The culture and tradition is everything there. It's all about culture, tradition and the players." He committed to the Wolverines pri- vately the Monday aer his visit con- cluded. Reeder thought the staff could tell good news was coming based on the big smile on his face when they met. Before that conversation, he met with his head coach at St. Xavier — Steve Specht. They sat down for what Specht referred to as a "really, really tough con- versation." Reeder felt bad. He already made the pledge to Wisconsin, but that didn't end up deterring him from reach- ing for something he always wanted. "He's like 'Coach, I've dreamed of going to Michigan since I was a little kid,'" Specht said. Specht is an old-school football coach leading one of the top prep pro- grams in Ohio. Modern college re- cruiting has swayed him away from his previous belief that a commitment is binding and final. In his view, the NCAA has screwed the whole process up. So, he told Reeder to chase what he wanted. "This is your dream. Live your dream. You'll go there for five years, you're go- ing to get a Michigan education, which is phenomenal — I'm not saying Wis- consin's not because I've had kids play at Wisconsin too — but this is your dream, pursue it." Michigan loves Reeder's aggressive playstyle. Specht effusively praised the linebacker's ability as a pass rusher, say- ing he frequently talks to his staff about why they aren't blitzing him more. Reeder was a safety as a sophomore and kept growing into a linebacker's frame at 6-2, 215 pounds. He was a cap- tain for St. Xavier as a senior. "I'm going to miss him," Specht said. "Not just as a player, I'm going to miss him just as a kid." Reeder is fired up about the chance to play for Michigan, and he quickly con- nected with his fellow commits before moving to campus in January. The re- cruiting process is behind him now, and he's eager to start his college football at Michigan. "I'm ready to compete and work hard with them," Reeder said. "We're trying to go for a national title." ❑ Aden Reeder Flips From Wisconsin To The Wolverines Reeder, a three-star prospect from Cincinnati St. Xavier, was named the 2025 Greater Catholic League Linebacker of the Year. PHOTO BY ETHAN MCDOWELL ADEN REEDER LINEBACKER 6-2 • 215 ST. XAVIER MONROE, OHIO RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE Industry ✪✪✪ 661 58 32 ✪✪✪ — 49 34 ✪✪✪ — 58 38 ✪✪✪ — 55 35 STATISTICS Year Tackles TFL Sacks INT PD 2025 66 11.5 8 0 3 2024 74 14.5 3 0 3 HONORS • First-team Division I All-State pick as a senior. • Earned PrepStar All-Midwest Region honors in 2025. • Named Greater Catholic League Linebacker of the Year as a senior in 2025. • A first-team All-GCL selection in 2025. • Two-time first-team all-district honoree (2024 and '25). RECRUITMENT • Pledged to Michigan Nov. 6, 2025. • Picked U-M over notable offers from Wiscon- sin, Michigan State, West Virginia and Iowa. DID YOU KNOW? • Part of a 2025 Bomber team that finished 11-2 and lost in the Ohio Division I state championship game. • Also lettered in track and field. • Son of Kendrae and LaDasha Reeder. • Born April 16, 2008. THEY SAID IT Rivals Director Of Scouting And Rankings Charles Power: "He's a guy who can do a lot of dif- ferent things. He can rush the passer. He's comfort- able in space. He can play within a phone booth as a run defender, coming downhill. He looks to have good strength. He runs well. He has a well-rounded skill set based on what he's put on film throughout his high school career." 2026 PROJECTION Reeder spent most of his senior season playing on the edge and played disruptive football for one of the top high school teams in Ohio. Michigan is fairly thin at linebacker, so he might have a chance to push for an early role with the Wolverines after enrolling in January.