Michigan Wolverines land 4-star DL Xavier Muhammad over Notre Dame and Miami

Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Michigan Wolverines land 4-star DL Xavier Muhammad over Notre Dame and Miami

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated May 14, 2026 9:47 PM ET

Kyle Whittingham hasn't coached a down yet for the Michigan Wolverines, but he's already gained a ton of momentum.

Whittingham will get his chance against Western Michigan to start the 2026 season. In the meantime, though, he's picked up plenty of significant wins on the 2027 recruiting trail.

The latest one is notable because the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Miami Hurricanes — two national contenders — were also in the running.

Ultimately, though, Xavier Muhammad, a 4-star defensive line recruit from South Houston, Texas, chose to commit to the Wolverines.

That decision was announced on Thursday.

BREAKING: Four-Star DL Xavier Muhammad has Committed to Michigan, he tells me for @Rivals⁰
The 6’5 275 DL chose the Wolverines over Notre Dame and Miami

He’s ranked as the No. 8 DL in the 2027 Rivals300

“Let’s go bleed blue”https://t.co/O4ZIKSvEzi pic.twitter.com/8zgdfx5gnO
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 14, 2026

Muhammad is ranked as the No. 9 defensive lineman recruit in the country, so this is a big commitment for Michigan.

Michigan Wolverines land 4-star DL Xavier Muhammad

Checking in at 6-foot-3, 265 pounds, Muhammad took a trip to Ann Arbor last month and that's what won him over to the Wolverines' side.

“The college town atmosphere with the student body, the coaching staff, and the interaction with the players really stood out, he told Steve Wiltfong of Rivals after that trip in April. "Also, the resources that are available to help you achieve on and off the field."

Muhammad's commitment came a day after 4-star wide receiver Quenten Burrell committed to Michigan. Four recruits have pulled the trigger for Michigan this month alone, so Whittingham has truly built momentum.

In all, the Wolverines have nine 2027 commitments in a class that's ranked No. 21 nationally.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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