The Michigan Wolverines are entering a pivotal stretch on the recruiting trail, and the new coaching staff knows it. With Kyle Whittingham now at the helm, questions have surfaced about how well he and his team can recruit in the Midwest.
The early signs? Promising.
Michigan is already in the mix for several high-profile prospects in the 2027 class, and the next few months will be crucial in shaping what could become a foundational group for the program’s future.
Let’s break down the latest in Michigan’s recruiting momentum.
Five-Star DL Marcus Fakatou Sets Michigan Official Visit
When you’re talking about building a dominant defense, it starts up front-and few names in the 2027 class loom as large as Marcus Fakatou. The five-star defensive lineman, ranked No. 35 overall and the No.
2 DL in the country, has locked in Michigan as one of three schools he’ll officially visit. The other two?
Texas and Georgia. That’s elite company, and Michigan being in that mix speaks volumes.
Fakatou has already been to Ann Arbor twice, and it’s clear the new staff has made a strong impression.
“I’ve been to Michigan twice so far and loved it there,” Fakatou said. “I have a great relationship with the new staff coming in and coach Whittingham is a great head coach and the kind of coach I can see myself playing for. It’s a huge stage at Michigan, they’re known for tough defenses and I think I would fit in well there.”
That’s exactly the kind of sentiment Michigan fans want to hear. Fakatou isn’t just intrigued-he’s envisioning himself in the Maize and Blue. The Wolverines have a real shot here, and landing a player of his caliber would be a major statement for Whittingham’s first full class.
ATH Peyton Higginson Planning Two Michigan Visits
Another name to watch is Peyton Higginson, a versatile three-star athlete out of Utah who’s been steadily rising on Michigan’s radar. At 6-foot-3 and 181 pounds, Higginson brings size and athleticism, and he’s already planning two visits to Ann Arbor-an unofficial this spring and an official in June.
A big reason for Michigan’s traction here? Defensive assistant Jay Hill.
“I have a great relationship with Coach Hill,” Higginson said. “He and I have stayed in contact ever since my offer to BYU.
He has come and watched my baseball games, has visited my home, has invited me to their film sessions and practice when he was at BYU. I have stayed very, very close to Coach Jay Hill and respect him a lot.”
That kind of long-standing relationship matters. Higginson’s familiarity with Hill could give Michigan a real edge, especially as he weighs offers from schools like BYU, Utah, Cal, and Purdue. The Wolverines aren’t just in the race-they’re setting the pace.
Four-Star WR Dakota Guerrant Keeps Michigan in the Mix
If Michigan wants to take its offense to the next level, landing elite wideouts is non-negotiable. Enter Dakota Guerrant, a dynamic four-star receiver who’s already speaking highly of the Wolverines and new wide receivers coach Micah Simon.
“He’s a little funny, I ain’t gonna lie,” Guerrant said of Simon. “He’s young, and we could relate. He’s chill, but he knows what he be talking about.”
That connection is key. Guerrant sees Michigan as a program that still carries weight-and he’s watching closely to see how the offense evolves under new leadership.
“They’re Michigan. It’s still Michigan. They’re always in there.”
Guerrant is particularly interested in quarterback Bryce, who showed flashes last season. The wideout wants to see how the offensive system looks under the new staff before making a final call, but he’s optimistic.
“Bryce looked decent last year, so I know that he’s going to be way better this year,” Guerrant said. “Now, he’s got a coach and an offense that should allow him to make plays.
I think I’m going to put my bread in the basket with Bryce and the offensive coordinator. I’ve just still got to see how it looks, but I believe in Bryce at the quarterback position.”
Expect Guerrant to take an official visit this summer. He’s not committing yet, but Michigan is firmly in the conversation-and that’s exactly where they need to be with a playmaker of his caliber.
The Big Picture
This early into the 2027 cycle, Michigan is doing what it needs to: building relationships, locking in visits, and staying in the top tier of conversations with elite prospects. The new staff, led by Whittingham, is already showing it can connect with recruits coast to coast-from Utah to Georgia and everywhere in between.
The challenge now? Turning those visits and relationships into commitments.
But if you’re a Michigan fan, you’ve got to like how this recruiting class is starting to take shape. The foundation is being laid-and it’s looking strong.