Kyle Whittingham lands his first 2027 recruit for Michigan Wolverines

Kyle Whittingham, the new head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, has officially gotten on the board on the 2027 recruiting trail.

He's been in Ann Arbor for a few months, so it had been a bit of a concerning dry spell as far as 2027 commitments were concerned.

Michigan ultimately brought in the No. 12 2026 recruiting class in the country with Whittingham closing it out, though. He also cleaned up in the transfer portal, especially with former Utah players. Whittingham was the head coach of the Utes from 2005 to 2025.

Whittinham has earned the commitment of four-star safety Darrell Mattison. Mattison, from Chicago, Ill., committed to Michigan over Nebraska, Northwestern, Wisconsin and Ole Miss.

His relationship with new Michigan safeties coach Tyler Stockton was undoubtedly one of the main reasons for his commitment. Checking in at 6-foot-2, 190-pounds, Mattison visited Michigan last week for a spring practice, but Stockton also recruited him at his high school (Morgan Park) twice this past winter.

“He’s a very genuine, very kind guy,” Mattison told TheWolverine.com, explaining his relationship with Stockton. “He’s very just upfront, you know? He doesn’t BS you — excuse my language — but he’s a very straightforward guy.”