With the hiring of longtime Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham, several Michigan commits and targets are speaking to reporters on the changes going on in Ann Arbor. Let’s kick off today’s Recruiting Roundup with the new hire’s impact on the most anticipated 2026 signee.
Five-star RB’s recruiting advisor speaks on coaching change
Retaining top commits is always a priority during a coaching change, and Whittingham and his staff are trying to do just that with 2026 five-star running back Savion Hiter.
Hiter, who was named the MaxPreps Virginia High School Football
Player of the Year last week, has been committed to Michigan since August and signed earlier this month. He’s the No. 1 running back in the 2026 class, and the eighth-highest-ranked recruit in the class overall on the 247Sports composite.
By the sounds of it, Hiter is still locked in with Michigan, his recruiting advisor Adam McCann told On3’s EJ Holland ($).
“He wants to be a Michigan Man,” McCann said. “That’s always one of his biggest quotes. It can be a mess at times when you are going through a coaching change, but coach Tony (Alford) has reassured us that it’s a good thing. That’s spilled over to Savion still wanting to be there. He’s going to be there. He’s going to have a good career there. His goals and his vision are still attainable. I’ve talked to him about how college football works since his freshman year. Sometimes, one thing is there, and the other day, it isn’t. It’s an early test for him, but he’s still happy being a Michigan Man. Knowing him, he’ll be able to attain all of his goals.”
Nothing has been made official yet regarding whether or not Alford will be retained, but a social media post he responded to earlier this week makes it sound like a done deal. Hiter also had a post of his own, which Alford also responded to.
“Out of all the running back coaches, I think he’s one of the best, if not the best,” McCann said. “With Michigan being known as a running team and the running back room he has, keeping him is very important. He’s a good recruiter, but most importantly, he’s a good man and gets the most out of all the guys in his room. From No. 1 to No. 8, they are all treated like No. 1. They police each other really well. It’s going to be great to see him stay there and keep the running back tradition at Michigan going.”
Hiter is enrolled early at Michigan and should be taking the field at The Big House in no time.
Five-star DL speaks highly of Whittingham
The Wolverines are also focusing on uncommitted players who were already on the program’s radar. One of those players is 2027 five-star defensive lineman Marcus Fakatou, who visited Ann Arbor for The Game. Fakatou, ranked 35th in his class and second among defensive linemen, publicly praised the new head coach this week.
“I think Michigan got a good one,” Fakatou told The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich ($). “His record speaks for itself. I also think Michigan has a good chance of landing more Polynesian players with Whittingham as head coach.”
So the big question is, does the new hire mean Fakatou is going to be taking a closer look at Michigan?
“For sure,” Fakatou said. “I heard great things about Whittingham, and I hear lots of changes are going to be made, so I’d like to see what that would look like.”
Perhaps another visit can inch Michigan closer to landing the talented junior.
Players with ties to Utah are now interested in Michigan
Whittingham has obvious connections in the state of Utah, and several talented players from there are now considering Michigan.
Broncs Baker, a 2027 three-star linebacker ranked just outside the top-350 in his class on the composite, is one of them. Previously committed to Cal, Baker is planning to visit Michigan this spring, he told On3’s Ethan McDowell ($). Baker’s older brother, Easton, just entered the portal after starting his career at Illinois.
“I also know Whit loved my big bro, who just entered the portal from Illinois,” Baker said. “Should be fun to see how things play out.”
There were other intriguing quotes in the piece, including:
-“(I) For sure have interest now!” said Bode Sparrow, a four-star safety and the No. 1 recruit in Utah in the 2027 class. “Excited to see who coach Whitt builds around him for a staff. Me and coach Whitt have a great relationship and [he] is a great football coach. He does things the right way. I’m sure I will hear from him in next little bit and maybe be able to get up to Ann Arbor and check out the place.”
-“Love everything coach Whittingham has done and would seriously consider going to Michigan if given the opportunity,” said 2027 three-star linebacker Sam Nagata, who is from Salt Lake City. He is the son of former NFL defensive lineman Haloti Ngata.
-“Of course I do (have interest in Michigan),” said Uhila Wolfgramm, a 2027 three-star edge who already has an offer from Utah. “Coach Whitt is a great man and leader on and off the field. Would be an honor to play for him!”
Quick Hitter
-Ryder Lyons, a 2026 four-star quarterback that signed with BYU, recently told 247’s Brian Dohn ($) that he has a good relationship with Whittingham and that Michigan, Oregon and Kentucky have told him they will recruit him once his mission trip is over.
