Michigan football makes top group for 4-star DL Brayden Parks

Michigan football already has one standout defensive lineman from Chicago (Ill.) Brother Rice, now it's hoping to add another and keep the pipeline going.

The Wolverines have defensive tackle Trey Pierce in the middle of the defensive line, and he came from the solid program a few states over in 2023. But with this being Pierce's last year, they're going to need to retool and add more interior linemen who can dominate inside and up front.

On Wednesday, Michigan finished in the top eight for another Brother Rice standout in four-star DL Brayden Parks, who is in the 2027 class. Ohio State, Oregon, Notre Dame, Miami, Georgia, Tennessee, and Illinois are Parks' other finalists.

NEWS: Four-Star DL Brayden Parks is down to 8 Schools, he tells me for @Rivals

The 6’2 305 DL from Chicago, IL is ranked as a Top 20 DL in the ‘27 Class (per Rivals)

Where Should He Go?https://t.co/rQ4qDLU61Ipic.twitter.com/u9GaFwzMyC— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) February 25, 2026

247Sports has Parks ranked as the No. 128 player in the country, regardless of position. He's the 12th-best defensive lineman and seventh-ranked player in the state of Illinois.

The Rivals Recruiting Prediction Machine indicates that Notre Dame will be his eventual choice when he does choose a school, but there is still time to make up the gulf -- along with having the ace in the hole that is Pierce.

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football targets 4-star DL Brayden Parks