When it comes to the 2027 recruiting class rankings, Kyle Whittingham’s Michigan Wolverines still have a long way to go to move to the top. According to On3, they are ranked at No. 19. However, according to the latest reports, they have high chances to land an in-state 2027 athlete.

In the May 1st episode of the Rivals’ podcast, Rivals’ analyst Allen Trieu shared his take on a three-star recruit from Grand Rapids, Lundon Hampton, trending for Michigan. 

“Michigan has come in, and kind of flipped the script in that one [Hampton],” said the analyst. “He was recruited by a lot of schools as a safety linebacker hybrid. Michigan is recruiting him as a running back. Running back's coach Tony Alford was in the school recently, and I don't think it's just the positional recruitment that has Michigan ahead.”

According to the analyst, Michigan made Hampton feel like a priority by inviting him to Ann Arbor for the spring game. 

“I also see Michigan as very much the leader going in into his official visits,” said Trieu. 

In an interview with Maize n Brew in April, Hampton said that his official visit to Michigan has been set for June 5-7.

“I love everything that Michigan is about,” Hampton said at Battle 7v7 Nationals in Nashville. “Dream school growing up. Always loved Michigan.”

Hampton is especially drawn to Tony Alford’s player-first coaching style. The running backs coach has praised the in-state athlete’s burst and talent for making defenders miss in open space.

The visit left Hampton impressed with the program’s facilities, campus, coaches, and culture. He also took notice of the chemistry between the staff and players, along with the professionalism displayed by Jordan Marshall, Savion Hiter, and the rest of the running backs.

In the meantime, Big Ten competitors are pushing to land the No. 48 overall athlete in the country and the No. 16 player in Michigan.

Michigan Football Feels the Pressure From Big Ten Programs

Hampton was ranked in the top 93 in Division 6 for 1 stat, top 9 in Catholic - AA for 1 stat, for the 2025-2026 season. The 6-foot-3, 188-pound junior is the cousin of former Michigan State safety Khari Willis. 

So, the Wolverines can already feel the pressure from within the conference. The Spartans were the first Big Ten program to offer him. 

“Coach [Pat Fitzgerald] said he pops off the tape, 6-3, 210 (pounds) and can obviously run,” Kenowa Hills head coach Don Fellows said. “He’s athletic, physical, and a football player. We have to get him to Michigan State.”

He will be travelling to Michigan State between June 19 and 21 for his official visit. 

According to Rivals’ prediction, the Spartans have 25% chance to land Hampton while the Wolverines are the highest with 71%. Other Big Ten programs that are also running the race to recruit Hampton are the Purdue Boilermakers and Penn State Nittany Lions. 

What are your thoughts on Michigan’s chances to recruit Hampton? Share in the comments. 

Read more at Michigan Football Community.

Written by

Soheli Tarafdar

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar