Marcus Fakatou, the highly-touted defensive lineman from Orange Lutheran in California, is making waves in the recruiting world. Standing at an impressive 6-foot-6 and weighing 275 pounds, Fakatou is a force on the field and a top target for college programs nationwide. With nearly 40 scholarship offers, he's narrowed his list down to ten elite schools: Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Texas, and USC.
Fakatou's recruitment journey is heating up as he plans to visit each of these programs this spring, with a particular focus on Michigan. He’s set to make an unofficial visit to Ann Arbor on April 11-12, followed by an official visit from June 15-17. His last trip to Michigan was for the high-stakes Ohio State game in November, a testament to his interest in the Wolverines.
But Michigan isn’t the only stop on his tour. Fakatou has lined up official visits to other powerhouse programs: Ohio State on May 29, Texas on June 4, and Oregon on June 12. Clearly, these schools see the potential in Fakatou and are eager to make their case.
Michigan's new head coach, Kyle Whittingham, has placed a high priority on securing Fakatou, making multiple visits during the winter evaluation period to show their commitment.
On the field, Fakatou's sophomore stats speak volumes: 69 tackles, seven sacks, and 14 hurries in just 12 games. His performance was so outstanding that he reclassified from the 2028 to the 2027 class, elevating his status even further.
Currently ranked as the No. 36 overall prospect in the 2027 class and the No. 2 defensive lineman nationwide, Fakatou is a player to watch. As the recruitment process unfolds, fans and analysts alike will be keen to see where this standout athlete lands.