Top-5 Linebacker in 2026 Class Includes Michigan in Final Four, Sets Visit Dates
2026 four-star linebacker Brayden Rouse trimmed his list to four schools on Wednesday, leaving Georgia off the list and focusing on Michigan, Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas.
“I’ve narrowed my recruitment down to four schools,” Rouse shared. “I’m thankful to all the coaches who have recruited me and for their interest, but I’ll be taking official visits to these four programs.”
Rouse’s official visit schedule includes Alabama on May 30, Michigan on June 6, Texas on June 13, and Tennessee on June 20, with a final decision to follow.
Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 210 pounds, Rouse is ranked 83rd overall in the 2026 class and is the No. 5 linebacker. His first trip to Michigan was an unofficial visit on March 21, before he decided to make an official visit to Ann Arbor.
Rouse told On3 that what stood out to him about Michigan was how well the coaches treated his family and the structure of their practices.
“Football-wise, I liked the way they ran their practices and meetings. But what really impressed me was how they treated my family. The staff, especially Avery Bean, were great hosts and made us feel right at home.”
Michigan has consistently produced top-notch linebackers, with this year’s duo of Ernest Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham expected to dominate the Big Ten. Previous standout linebackers like Junior Colson and Michael Barrett are now in the NFL, continuing the tradition of strong linebacker play in Ann Arbor. If Rouse chooses Michigan, he could be the next in line.
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