Imago
Credits: Scott G Winterton/Deseret News
Mar 30, 2026, 7:11 PM CUT
Kyle Whittingham Gets Major Michigan Boost but Ohio State Damper Looms Large
Michigan's new era under Kyle Whittingham is already paying off. The Wolverines received a major boost in the 2027 recruiting rankings. However, they still trail one key rival.
The Wolverines jumped to 16th overall from the 40th position. Three players committed to the Michigan Football program, which moved them from 40th to 16th overall. Position-wise, Michigan added two safeties and one offensive lineman.
The maize and blue are still behind fierce rivals Ohio State, Tennessee, Texas, Clemson, Miami, Georgia, and Notre Dame, among other schools.
This will be the first season for the newly hired Kyle Whittingham, who has spent the last 20 years as the head coach of Utah. Whittingham is wasting no time in securing the program’s class of 2027.
In 2025, the Wolverines finished 9-4 and 7-2 in the Big Ten Conference. Michigan played the Texas Longhorns in the “Cheez-It Citrus Bowl,” but were not on the winning side, and the game ended 41-27 in favor of the Longhorns.
Sherrone Moore was subsequently fired after the season for reasons not related to the football field, and the Wolverines hired Kyle Whittingham, who signed a five-year deal to be the next head coach of the Maize and Blue in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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December 10, 2025, Carson, California, USA: Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore was jailed on Wednesday hours after he was fired for what the university said was an Ãâoeinappropriate relationship with a staff member.Ãâ FILE PHOTO: Offensive coach, Sherrone Moore of the Michigan Wolverines during their practice on Friday December 29, 2023 at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Michigan Wolverines will play the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2024. JAVIER ROJAS/PI Carson USA - ZUMAp124 20251210_zaa_p124_001 Copyright: xJavierxRojasx
The Michigan Wolverines so far have six committed players for the class of 2027.
Who are the six players that will represent the Blue and Maize from 2027?
Currently ranked 16th, Michigan's 2027 class surpassed programs like Oregon, Florida State, and Alabama.
Some players who have committed are four-star edge rusher Recarder Kitchen from Muskegon, Michigan. The in-state recruit has a rank of 113th overall as a player, 13th edge, and 4th in Michigan.
Four-star offensive tackle Sidney Rouleau from Bullard, Texas. Ranked 377 overall, 36th OT, 51st in Texas.
Four-star safety Darrell Mattison, a native of Chicago, Illinois, is ranked 410 overall, 38th safety, and 14th in the state of Illinois.
Three-star interior offensive lineman Tristan Dare, out of Southlake, Texas. (No. 738 overall, 42nd IOL, 104th in Texas)
Centennial three-star athlete Maxwell Miles from Las Vegas, Nevada. (57th ATH, 5th in Nevada)
Three-star interior offensive lineman Louis Esposito from Saline, Michigan. (No. 959 overall, 61st IOL, 19th in Michigan)
