The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1543845
48 THE WOLVERINE ❱ APRIL 2026 BY ETHAN MCDOWELL M ichigan, Notre Dame and Florida are just a few of the programs try- ing to flip Illinois quarterback commit Kamden Lopati. The Wolverines have a longstanding connection to the talented passer that helped jumpstart his bond with the program. He's from Salt Lake City and led West High to an 11-2 record in 2025. Lopati picked up his Utah offer last fall, and the Rivals300 signal-caller spent his "whole sophomore year" with the Utes, visiting frequently and building strong ties to the people in the building. "I was literally with them in meet- ings," Lopati said. The Wolverines offered Feb. 17, but his connection to the people inside Schembechler Hall stretches back quite a bit further than that. "Coach Whitt, he's the man here in Utah," Lopati said of new U-M head man Kyle Whittingham. Offensive coordinator Jason Beck and quarterbacks coach Koy Detmer Jr. vis- ited Lopati in January after joining the U-M staff. They recruited him very hard at Utah and continued to prioritize their relationship with him even when the Wolverines held a quarterback commit- ment. That meant a lot to the top Michigan target. They offered almost immediately after Peter Bourque decommitted and emphasized that they see him fitting into the U-M scheme perfectly. Michi- gan's new staff made it clear that they view him as a top priority prospect who could help the Wolverines. "That was actually special to me," Lopati said. Michigan likes his dual-threat abil- ity. Lopati threw for 2,671 yards and 32 touchdowns as a junior, adding 730 yards and 10 more scores on the ground. Rivals ranks Lopati as the No. 10 quar- terback and the No. 113 recruit nation- ally. Illinois secured his commitment last summer, and he considers the Illini ❱ MICHIGAN RECRUITING Illinois QB Commit Kamden Lopati Intrigued By Michigan Lopati, the No. 2 recruit in the state of Utah and No. 10 quarterback nationally according to Rivals, is very familiar with the Michigan coaching staff. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS