Michigan’s 2027 Linebacker Recruiting Push Gains Momentum
The new Michigan football coaching staff may have gotten a late jump on the 2027 recruiting cycle, but they’ve wasted no time making up ground-especially at linebacker. With the January evaluation period now in the rearview, the Wolverines are beginning to carve out a national footprint while leaning on familiar relationships to build momentum.
Their recruiting efforts kicked off out West, tapping into connections from the staff’s previous stops, while also reinforcing their presence in the Midwest and home state of Michigan. But they haven’t limited themselves to those traditional pipelines. One of their more intriguing recent offers went deep into Texas, landing in the hands of Bridge City linebacker Bryce Breeden-and his tape speaks volumes.
At 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, Breeden has been a wrecking ball on the field. Over the last two seasons, he’s racked up 225 tackles, including 39 for loss, 14 sacks, and seven forced fumbles. That kind of production doesn’t go unnoticed, and neither did Michigan’s offer.
While Breeden doesn’t have direct ties to the university, there’s a connection that could work in the Wolverines' favor: his father lives and works in Michigan. That proximity has sparked conversations about both Michigan and Michigan State, with the potential for Dad to catch his son’s games on Saturdays.
Breeden is still in the early stages of building a relationship with the Michigan staff, but there’s already some familiarity. He was offered by the same group when they were at Utah back in October. That continuity matters.
“I’ve been in contact with coach Alex Whittingham, and his first impression was great,” Breeden said. “I’m very interested in the program now.
I like how they are a run-stopping defense. I don’t know too much about the school, but I’m willing to learn more about them.”
Breeden isn’t short on options. He holds nearly 30 offers, including from Louisville, Arizona State, Pittsburgh, TCU, Northwestern, Arizona, West Virginia, Purdue, and Virginia Tech, among others. A swing through Michigan-potentially visiting both Ann Arbor and East Lansing-is on his radar, though nothing is locked in just yet.
“I haven’t finalized my spring and official visits yet, but I plan on committing around the first or second week of June,” he said.
One thing he’s crystal clear on: relationships will be key.
“I’m a big relationship guy,” Breeden said. “I want to go to a school where I’m wanted and needed, and team culture (is important).”
Breeden’s on-field accolades stack up just as well as his stats. He was named District 10-4A Division I Defensive MVP this past season and added two blocked field goals on special teams. Off the field, he’s just as impressive, carrying a 3.7 GPA in the classroom.
Wolverines Cast a Wider Net at Linebacker
Breeden isn’t the only linebacker target Michigan has zeroed in on. Earlier this month, the Wolverines extended an offer to Kenneth Simon II, a four-star out of Brentwood Academy in Tennessee. At 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, Simon already boasts 24 offers and comes from strong football bloodlines-his father, Kevin Simon, played at Tennessee and went on to the NFL.
Simon has a top four that includes Alabama, Texas A&M, Tennessee, and Ole Miss. Cracking that group won’t be easy, but Michigan is hoping to make an impression and wedge its way into the conversation.
Another name to watch is Broncs Baker, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound linebacker from Stansbury High School in Tooele, Utah. Baker is expected to take a spring visit to Ann Arbor, and there’s already a built-in relationship with the Michigan staff from their time at Utah. Baker is also considering Virginia Tech, Cal, Arizona State, Boise State, and more, but Michigan is believed to be firmly in the mix.
Final Thoughts
Michigan’s linebacker recruiting for the 2027 class is starting to take shape, and the early signs are promising. Whether it’s leveraging existing relationships, expanding into new recruiting territory, or identifying high-character, high-production players like Breeden, the Wolverines are building a foundation that could pay dividends down the road.
There’s still a long way to go before commitments start rolling in, but Michigan has positioned itself well in a competitive national landscape-and the linebacker room could be one of the biggest beneficiaries.