The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1543210
MARCH 2026 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 49 2026 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY ETHAN MCDOWELL Ernest Nunley reopened his recruit- ment Jan. 15 after signing with Cal in December. The three-star defensive back felt that move was best for his fu- ture and, less than a week later, he found a new collegiate home at Michigan. His coach at Anaheim (Calif.) Western High, Dan Davidson, knows the Wolver- ines' staff well. He sent multiple play- ers to Utah over the years and attended double-digit games in Salt Lake City. Safeties coach Tyler Stockton previ- ously recruited Nunley to Boise State and hosted him on an official visit. All of these connections paid off in earning his commitment to U-M on Jan. 20. "I have a good rapport with that staff and the way they do things. … This business — and it is a business — is about reputation and building respect and camaraderie and networking out there to make things happen. That's how all of this came into shape," David- son said. N u n l ey a r r ive d o n ca m p u s a n d quickly committed to the Wolverines. His coach called U-M an "amazing" program and expressed his excitement for how Kyle Whittingham and his staff will run it. "I've attended about 20 games at Utah and seen them and what they're about and their facilities and what it's like on all avenues. I just have the utmost respect for those guys," Davidson said. The Wolverines' new defensive back signee joined the program as an early enrollee in January. He recorded 5 in- terceptions and 20 defended passes as a senior and checks in at 6-1, 185 pounds. Michigan wanted to add another freshman defensive back to this class after Andre Clarke flipped, and Nunley brings versatility and a knack for creat- ing turnovers to Ann Arbor. The first 90 seconds of his senior highlight reel are completely made up of interceptions and forced fumbles. Davidson said the U-M commit's preparation directly led to those game-changing plays. "I really think it's done with film work and studying and understanding scheme," Davidson said. Nunley will begin his Michigan career at safety, but he can move all over the secondary. He has a 6-foot-4 wingspan according to his coach, can play man and zone, and understands those concepts well. The Michigan signee is a complete defensive back in his coach's eyes. He's also a willing tackler in the sec- ondary, recording 57 total stops as a se- nior, plays both sides of the ball at the prep level and puts in the work in the locker room and off the field to con- tribute to his team in every possible way. "Ernest is an amazing young man," Davidson said. "His work ethic is just different. He loves the weight room. He's a quiet, go-to-work type of guy, but he also has that leadership quality about him, speaking up and challenging guys." ❑ Ernest Nunley Will Start Out At Safety For Michigan Nunley was a late addition to the U-M class after flipping from Cal. PHOTO COURTESY ERNEST NUNLEY ERNEST NUNLEY CORNERBACK 6-1 • 185 WESTERN HIGH CARSON, CALIF. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE Industry ✪✪✪ 1,042 97 82 ✪✪✪ — 67 50 ✪✪✪ — 81 70 ✪✪✪ — 127 111 STATISTICS Year Tackles INT PD 2025 57 5 20 2024 26 2 10 HONORS • A three-star prospect who ranks among the top 100 recruits in California. • Selected as Western High's Player of the Year in 2025. RECRUITMENT • Pledged to Michigan Jan. 20 after flipping from Cal. • Also held offers from San Diego State, Arizona, Boise State and UNLV. THEY SAID IT Long Beach Poly defensive backs coach and Nunley's trainer, Jaloni Patterson: "He is a long, athletic DB with great technique and ball skills. Very comfortable in press man, uses his length to his advantage, can play all the secondary positions. Also has the ability to put on some more weight and will continue to get faster. Future All-American for sure!" 2026 PROJECTION Nunley was a late addition to the class and en- rolled with the Wolverines just days after commit- ting. He plays with great instincts in the secondary and will start out at safety, and his versatility to play nickel and corner will help him compete for a role sooner rather than later in his Wolverine career. He's a redshirt candidate for 2026.