Why Michigan defensive line commit is a ‘perfect’ fit for Wolverines - mlive.com

(Jake May | MLive.com)

Private coach Carlos Chester of Nine 0 Elite Training Academy has seen exponential growth from Michigan four-star defensive line commit Alister Vallejo since he started training him in fifth grade.

Given the Wolverines’ recent track record of developing linemen into high NFL draft picks, Chester is excited about his pupil’s college future. Vallejo, a class of 2026 prospect out of Liberty Hill High School in Texas, committed to Michigan on June 10, choosing Sherrone Moore’s program over other finalists Notre Dame and Kansas.

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“I think that what Michigan plays and the style of play that they have fits him perfect,” Chester told MLive. “The physicality, he’s a Big Ten guy. He’s a blue-collar kid. He definitely fits the mold of Michigan, and I feel like there’s no better place he could have went.”

Texas is a wellspring of high school football talent, but Vallejo had largely flown under the radar until this spring. Listed at 6-foot-3, 310 pounds, he’s racked up 116 tackles and 18 sacks over the past two seasons. However, nearly all of Vallejo’s 11 reported offers have come since January after more college coaches started to watch his tape and evaluate him in person.

Michigan offered him in April as he became a top defensive line target on its recruiting board. Chester said Vallejo set a Liberty Hill record with a 375-pound bench press this summer and is up to a 325-pound power clean.

“As far as him being under recruited, man, that was a mystery to us all,” said Chester, a former defensive lineman at Houston. “The talent’s always been there. I’ve seen it in the seventh grade. He’s done nothing but dominate since he’s been in high school and has just gotten better every season. The whole under-recruiting, that was a mystery, but I knew through the process and him being patient, his time will come.”

Recruiting services also are starting to pay closer attention. He has been elevated from three-star to four-star status in the 247Sports Composite since his commitment and is now ranked as the No. 413 prospect in the country.

“He’s not the flashiest player, but he’s got cat-like reflexes off the snap of the ball,” The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich said. “He’s powerful. He gets to the quarterback really quick. He lines over the center and he’s instantly in the backfield. He’s one of those guys where, and I don’t say this much, but you watch the tape, and it just pops. You’re just like, ‘He’s gonna be good.’ There’s certain kids where you’re like, ‘I don’t even care what your ranking is, you’re gonna be good.’ His tape is like that. It’s fabulous. I’m a huge fan of him.”

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Since his commitment, Vallejo’s game has been compared to Mason Graham’s when he was a high school prospect. Graham was rated as a low-four-star recruit but developed into an All-American at Michigan and was selected fifth overall by the Browns in April.

Graham was never among the biggest defensive linemen in college but had exemplary technique.

“Just his physicality and his IQ,” Chester said of Vallejo’s strengths. “He’s a heady ball player physically but he doesn’t rely on his physicality. He relies a lot on his technique – using his hands, using his quickness. He moves great for a guy that size.”

Michigan covets versatile defensive linemen, and Chester believes Vallejo fits the bill with his ability to play both the 1- and 3-technique positions. With Vallejo now verbally pledge to Michigan, Chester believes he will face more double-teams during his senior season with his heightened status as a recruit.

They train together at least three times per week in the summer, and that has been the primary focus during the offseason. Chester said Vallejo is embracing the challenge.

“He’s just a competitor,” he said. “Real determined, just an outright winner, man. He’s competitive in everything he does, whether, it’s football, track, the weight room. He’s a super competitor.”

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