The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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60 THE WOLVERINE ❱ MAY 2026 ❱ COMMIT PROFILE BY ETHAN MCDOWELL D arrell Mattison rode from Chicago to Ann Arbor to visit Michigan with his coaches and family. He spent Tuesday, March 17, and part of Wednesday at U-M, watching the team's first spring practice while taking in his first in-person impression of the program. He locked in his next two visits before leaving campus and committed soon after. Mattison returned to campus for the spring game April 18 and will be back June 12-14 for an of- ficial visit. "I've seen everything I had to see, but I'll definitely be back there," Mattison said after the first visit. Michigan's practice impressed him. He arrived on campus around noon and was able to catch the first look at Kyle Whittingham's squad on the gridiron this year. "The tempo they were moving at, even though it was the first day, they were still organized and moving around. That definitely caught my attention," Mattison said. Safeties coach Tyler Stockton visited him twice in January, bringing defen- sive coordinator Jay Hill, Whittingham and others along with him during the second trip to meet with him at Chi- cago Morgan Park High. Stockton and Hill remain in constant contact with the priority defensive back. Mattison said Michigan's coaches treat him like he's their son. They have a very close bond. Stockton's authen- tic approach to his recruitment stands out to the coveted safety who also holds offers from Penn State, Ole Miss and Missouri. "He's a very genuine, very kind guy," Mattison said. "He's very just up- front. He doesn't BS you — he's a very straightforward guy." Mattison emerged as a priority for U-M after dominating as a junior. He snagged 5 interceptions last fall and made 47 total tackles. He also added 3 defended passes to his stat line. The Wolverines' personalized visit plan for him also left a lasting impres- sion. When Mattison sat down with the staff, they already had a slideshow pre- pared for the 6-foot, 160-pound de- fensive back that showed how he would fit into Hill's system. The staff put his film up alongside tape from the current Michigan players and explained why he's a perfect match for what they're build- ing in Ann Arbor. Stockton only further strengthened his bond with Mattison during the spring visit. "It was pretty cool," Mattison said. "He was just saying how he sees me as, basically, not one of his players, but I would be treated as one of his own. The message he was relaying was pretty good." He toured The Big House while on campus. Mattison walked out to the middle of the field and stood there in amaze- ment. The safety soaked in the history of the program that hit him as soon as he walked in the door. Almost exactly one month later, he returned to campus to help recruit priority Chicago- land targets — Rivals Top 100 wide receivers Quentin Burrell and Marshaun Thornton, plus Rivals300 safety Tavares Har- rington. Michigan considered him a top priority prospect before securing his pledge. He felt that love and now be- lieves the program checks "pretty much all" of his boxes. "It was mind-blowing," Mattison said. ❑ Chicago Safety Darrell Mattison Goes Blue The Rivals Industry Ranking lists Mattison as the No. 340 player and No. 31 safety nationally. PHOTO COURTESY DARRELL MATTISON PLAYER EVALUATION STRENGTHS: His film pops in a big way. Mattison looks over 6-0 tall with long arms. He moves well on film and plays with excellent instincts that helped him grab 5 interceptions as a junior. Mattison also seems to relish the chance for a big hit and absolutely demolished some receivers last fall. He will need to add mass at 160 pounds, but that shouldn't be a problem. Mattison has the frame to add plenty of weight. In coverage, the Wolverine pledge reads the quarterback well and closes space between him and a receiver extremely quickly. AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: He's already a four-star prospect with 247, while Rivals slots him as a three-star with an 89 rating. Mattison's film and turnover production is undeniable. The next step toward an ascension up the rankings will be verified times and measure- ments. Mattison plans on running track this year. If he posts a solid time, then he should receive a bump. He already competed in The Opening camp earlier this year and made a few nice plays. If he follows that up with a strong showing at the Under Armour Chicago camp, that could also help him climb the rankings. It would be surprising if he doesn't finish the cycle with four stars next to his name. PLAYER COMPARISON: Mattison was very high on Michigan's board before he pledged to the program. The anticipation and ball skills he showcased as a junior are similar to Wol- verine safety Jordan Young. — Ethan McDowell