With quarterback Peter Bourque stepping back from his commitment, Michigan's recruiting focus for the 2027 class is shifting to some intriguing new prospects. Head coach Kyle Whittingham and his team had put in significant effort to woo Bourque, but it seems he's likely to head elsewhere.
Enter Dane Weber from Temecula's Chaparral High and Kamden Lopati from Salt Lake City West, both emerging as top targets for Michigan. Weber, who has Michigan in his top eight, is planning a spring visit and is eager to set an official date.
"They're very high up for me," Weber shared, highlighting how offensive coordinator Jason Beck's strategy aligns with his style. Known for his dual-threat capabilities, Weber rushed for 834 yards and 11 touchdowns on 98 carries as a junior, alongside passing for 2,660 yards and 27 touchdowns with just three interceptions.
Weber's connection with Beck dates back to Beck's tenure at Utah, where Weber received his first scholarship offer. This relationship continued with a visit to Utah last April and further strengthened when quarterbacks coach Koy Detmer Jr. joined Michigan.
Both Beck and Detmer Jr. conducted an in-home visit with Weber in January. Weber's upcoming official visits include Kansas, Cincinnati, UCLA, and Cal, with unofficial visits planned for Stanford, Cal, Oregon, Kansas State, and UCLA.
Meanwhile, Kamden Lopati, currently committed to Illinois, is still being pursued by several programs. Despite his verbal commitment to Bret Bielema's team last July, offers from Tennessee, Notre Dame, Florida, Michigan State, and Michigan have kept the recruitment fires burning.
Lopati's close ties with Beck and Detmer Jr., fostered during their time at Utah, add another layer to his recruitment story. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, Lopati impressed as a junior with 2,671 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and an additional 730 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.
According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Lopati is the No. 10 quarterback in the nation, while Weber holds the No. 25 spot. As Michigan navigates this new phase of recruitment, both prospects offer exciting potential to bolster the Wolverines' future.