One of the first commits for the class of 2026, Tariq Boney, opens up about life in Ann Arbor with new coach Kyle Whittingham, who is now calling plays from the sidelines. 

Boney traveled to his future home over the weekend and said, “It’s amazing. There’s a lot of love coming here, and they’re excited to see me and just even more excited to get me here in the summer.” 

He also added about the changes made, “Because Michigan is always going to be Michigan, and I really trusted that everyone’s going to bring in someone who I can learn to trust, and that’s really what I have faith in.” 

Keep in mind that Boney committed to the Wolverines during Sherrone Moore's tenure as head coach. Since the university fired Moore as head coach for non-football reasons, Utah’s Kyle Whittingham has penned a five-year deal to lead the maize and blue. 

Tariq Boney, a four-star edge pass rusher from Washington D.C., the Under Armour All-American from St. John’s College High, will now represent the Michigan Wolverines in the 2026 college football season. 

The pass rusher will now work under the defensive ends coach, Lewis Powell. The feeling that the Gatorade Player of the Year gets from the new coaching staff seems “juiced up.” 

Boney further added, “Just sitting in the meeting today, there’s a lot of learning going on, and it can just help me grow, not only as a young man, but as a player as well."

He finished his senior year in high school with 22 tackles for a loss and 13 sacks. The Washington D.C. native picked the maize and blue over Georgia, Penn State, and Auburn.

What Was the Other Reason Tariq Boney Picked Michigan?

Tariq Boney still stayed true to his commitment to playing football at The Big House in the fall, but football was not the only driving factor. 

“Well, first off, education is most important to me,” said Boney. 

He further added, “Michigan has one of the best offerings of education that you can probably get. And then, just trusting and believing in myself, and then trusting and believing in my family, making sure this is the right decision for me.” 

The pass edge rusher cares equally about the degree that he will earn by taking classes at U-M, along with his footballing duties. 

How do you think he will do for the Wolverines? Let us know in the comments!

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Written by

Samvruth Raj

Edited by

Kalp Thaker