On3 Rankings Director Charles Power breaks down new Michigan DL/EDGE commit Jaylen Williams

Michigan ended a month-long drought on the recruiting trail this week by landing four-star Palatine (Ill.) High prospect Jaylen Williams.

Williams is listed as a defensive lineman on On3, but the Wolverines like him as a bigger EDGE in the same mold as former star Mike Morris. Either way, Williams brings versatility and could make an impact in multiple ways in Ann Arbor, according to On3 Rankings Director Charles Power.

“Jaylen Williams is a tall, versatile defensive lineman,” Power said. “I think he has the potential to line up at multiple spots along the front. He could be a big, edge setting defensive end. Given a couple of years in a college strength program, I could see him topping out north of 300 pounds and being a defensive lineman.

“We like how he moves around. He’s disruptive against the run. He shows pash rush ability. He changes direction well. You see him turn the corner and stick his foot in the ground and pursue ball carriers and close as to make plays behind the line of scrimmage.”

Williams committed to Michigan over fellow finalists Nebraska, Tennessee and Texas A&M shortly following his official visit.

Williams is ranked as a Top 200 prospect nationally by both 247 and Rivals. ESPN is on the verge of making him a four-star and has Williams ranked as a Top 25 defensive lineman nationally.

On3 is much lower on him that the other three major recruiting services, ranking Williams as the No. 48 defensive lineman nationally.

“The biggest thing with Jaylen Williams is we’re still learning more about him,” Power said. “I think the film is encouraging. But we’re looking for more context in terms of verifying his size and dimensions. I’m eager to get more information about him. That will help us more accurately stack him up within the defensive line group.”

Power added that Williams could move up the rankings with further evaluation.

“He certainly has positive indicators with his track background and being a state finalist in the discus on top of what he shows on film,” Power said. “He’s one where I think things are certainly favorable. He has a shot of moving up.”

Michigan now has six commits in its 2025 recruiting class — Williams, Top 100 Oak Park (Ill.) Fenwick defensive lineman Nate Marshall, On300 Fort Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot quarterback Carter Smith, four-star Birmingham (Mich.) Groves offensive lineman Avery Gach, four-star Howell (Mich.) High defensive lineman Bobby Kanka and three-star Alcoa (Tenn.) High tight end Eli Owens.

The class is ranked No. 17 nationally, per the On3 Industry national team recruiting rankings.

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