Recruiting Roundup: Whittingham Era Gains Momentum with 2026 Commitments, Rising Rankings, and 2027 Targets
It hasn’t taken long for Kyle Whittingham and his staff to make their presence felt in Ann Arbor. Just over a month into their tenure, Michigan’s new coaching regime is already stacking early wins on the recruiting trail. The Wolverines have picked up three commitments in the 2026 class since Whittingham took over, and the latest one has a familiar name - and a family connection already on the roster.
Ndi Etta Commits to Michigan - And to Playing With His Brother
Over the weekend, Michigan landed a commitment from Ndi Etta, the younger brother of current Wolverine defensive lineman Enow Etta. Ndi, who made his decision during an official visit to campus, joins three-star defensive back Ernest Nunley and kicker Jacob Baggett as the early trio of commits under Whittingham.
For Ndi, the decision was about more than football - it was personal.
“It just felt like home, to be honest,” he said. “My brother is obviously there, so it even pushed me more.
I haven’t played with my brother since my freshman year, and I barely got to see him. I see him maybe once every three months, once every five months, really.
So that was probably the main push.”
Michigan sees Etta as an outside linebacker, working under defensive ends coach Lewis Powell and linebackers coach Alex Whittingham. The staff didn’t just pitch him on scheme - they gave him a player comparison that carries weight in Ann Arbor.
“They said my comparison was Josiah Stewart,” Etta said. “Josiah was a really good player, so I thought that was really cool.”
While Etta isn’t currently ranked on the 247Sports composite, he’s not short on confidence - or competitive fire. Especially when it comes to going up against his older brother.
“Even if I have to compete against (Enow), I’ll compete against him. I don’t care,” he said.
“He might take the height, but I think I have all the athletics, and that’s always kind of been a big thing. We’ve been really competitive.
I’m excited to just have that competitive nature. And obviously, Michigan is a really competitive place, so I’m really excited for that too.”
Michigan’s 2026 Class Trending Up in Final Rankings
While Etta is just getting started, several of Michigan’s 2026 commits are already seeing their stock rise. The final 247Sports rankings for the class were released, and a few Wolverines made major moves.
Edge rusher Tariq Boney, once a low three-star, climbed into four-star territory on the composite - a testament to his development and upside.
Defensive lineman Titan Davis jumped 54 spots to land at No. 74 overall, cracking the top 100 on the composite at No. 95.
Offensive lineman Malakai Lee made one of the biggest leaps, soaring 102 spots to No. 86 overall. He now sits just outside the top 100 on the composite at No. 106.
Quarterback Tommy Carr and offensive lineman Tommy Fraumann both earned four-star status in 247’s rankings, though they remain three-stars on the composite for now.
And at the top of the class, Carter Meadows (No. 9 overall) and Savion Hiter (No. 12 overall) held firm as composite five-stars - the crown jewels of Michigan’s 2026 haul.
The rankings movement is a strong indicator that Michigan’s evaluations - and player development - are on the right track. Now, it’ll be about translating that talent to the field.
Looking Ahead: 2027 WR Target Zion White Eyes Michigan Visit
The Wolverines have already secured four commitments in the 2027 class, but none at the wide receiver position - at least not yet. One name to watch is Zion White, a four-star out of IMG Academy who’s been on Michigan’s radar for a while.
White received his first offer from Whittingham back when the coach was still at Utah, and that early connection hasn’t been forgotten.
“You have to give him credit,” White said. “He’s a great coach.
He did a great job at Utah. I hope the best for him and the best for Michigan.
Utah was actually my first offer when I was really young. That meant a lot to me.”
The relationship with Michigan wide receivers coach Micah Simon has also been a factor in White’s interest.
“We have a great relationship,” White said. “It started off when I was really young.
I wasn’t really too good yet my freshman year, but we talked, and he said, ‘we see potential in you.’ He liked my height and frame.”
White, originally from Hawaii, is ranked in the top 150 nationally on the composite and holds offers from Auburn, Cal, Penn State, Washington, and others. Michigan hasn’t offered yet, but if they do, he’s ready to make the trip.
“I definitely want to take a visit there if they offer,” White said. “I would just want to see everything up there and talk to all the coaches.”
Quick Hits from the Trail
- Michigan recently extended an offer to Jeremy Adeyanju, a three-star running back in the 2027 class.
- Another top 2027 back, Tyson Robinson, a top-100 prospect, is scheduled to officially visit Michigan on June 11.
Whittingham and his staff are wasting no time putting their stamp on Michigan’s future - both in the 2026 class and beyond. With early commitments rolling in, rankings climbing, and high-level targets showing interest, the foundation is being laid for what could be a new era of Wolverine football. The competition is fierce, but so is the momentum.