The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1545685
150 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2026 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY ETHAN MCDOWELL M ichigan's 2027 recruiting cycle started to pick up steam around mid-April. Rivals300 quarterback Kamden Lopati chose the Wol- verines, flipping from Illinois and com- mitting to Michigan over Georgia, Notre Dame, Florida and many others. The class was off to a relatively slow start at that point, while the new staff tried to rebuild Michigan's recruiting mo- mentum and forge new connections in the Midwest. A lot of tireless work on the trail, both on campus and on the road, helped set up a memorable recruiting surge in May. In-state offensive tackle Jakari Lipsey spurned LSU, UCLA, Tennessee and oth- ers, committing to Michigan May 2. He was one of 11 recruits to pick the Wolver- ines that month. Michigan's 2027 class is now up to 16 members and ranked No. 10 nationally in mid-June with 11 blue-chip pledges (four or more stars) already in the boat. From Rivals Top 100 wide receiver Quentin Burrell to priority four-star run- ning back Tyson Robinson, the Wolverines managed to land some of the most coveted prospects on their recruiting board before official visits. Now, Michigan sits in the thick of sev- eral heavyweight recruiting battles and will have the chance to set off some fire- works this summer. A top-10 finish to this class sits within reach for the Wolverines. Quarterback Commits: 1 Need: 2 Landing Kamden Lopati was a massive recruiting win for the Wolverines. He's completely locked in with Michigan and continues to play a very active recruit- ing role in the class. The Salt Lake City (Utah) West standout took an official visit to Navy this summer because his brother is on the team, but U-M knew about and supported that trip. The No. 115 recruit and No. 10 QB nationally per Rivals is a dual-threat signal-caller with a lineback- er's frame. He has Elite 11-caliber arm tal- ent and the athleticism to make plays as a rusher as well. Michigan wants to add a second sig- nal-caller to the class, and former Utah commit Thaddeus Thatcher is being con- sidered. Quarterbacks coach Koy Detmer Jr. recruited him to the Utes and offered this spring. Thatcher is very interested in the program, and Michigan is in a good position to land the Las Vegas Arbor View standout. Running Back Commits: 2 Need: 2 Running backs coach Tony Alford locked in on his top targets this spring and wrapped up a pair of commitments before official visits. The Wolverines are very ex- cited about Tyson Robinson, the No. 15 running back nationally and the No. 212 recruit overall. He was a Top 100 prospect at one point out of Brandon (Miss.) High but played through a serious lower-body injury as a junior and dropped in the rank- ings. Robinson is a legitimate all-purpose back who is completely healthy now and looks like a breakout candidate for a strong senior season. He will team up with in-state athlete Lundon Hampton in Michigan's backfield. Hampton plays both ways for Grand Rap- ids Kenowa Hills High, but the Wolverines like the 6-foot-2 rising senior as a run- ning back. He's an explosive athlete who picked the program over Michigan State, Kentucky and Iowa among others. The Wolverines will work hard to hold onto their two commits, but they're set at this position for the 2027 cycle. 2027 RECRUITING PRIORITIES Michigan's New Staff Is Off To A Strong Start On Meeting Their Needs Kamden Lopati, Rivals' No. 115 prospect and No. 10 quarterback nationally, flipped from Illinois to Michigan. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS