Michigan football hired Kyle Whittingham as its head football coach on Friday and almost immediately, the focus shifted to the coaching staff, and the roster, as it should.
Some key recruits and some current players have said positive things about the hire. We still don't know what's going to happen with Bryce Underwood, but the former five-star quarterback said he was "excited" about the hire.
Whittingham is working on a staff. It sounds like Jay Hill will be announced as the defensive coordinator soon. Others will follow, especially since Utah's season will end on Dec. 31 like Michigan's.
I'd expect mostly a full staff place by the time the transfer portal opens. How will that relate to recruiting? We'll have to see what the final staff looks like.
However, the focus shouldn't be entirely on players Michigan football could lose. There should be some talk about who the Wolverines could add to the roster, such as one Utah signee.
Could Michigan football flip a 5-star Utah signee?
5-Star OT Kelvin Obot is currently committed to Utah.
— Maize Signal 〽️ (@MaizeSignal) December 27, 2025
Obot, ranked #3 overall in the class of 2026. Could likely flip to Michigan, as it’s rumored both OC Jason Beck and OL coach Jim Harding are on their ways to Michigan. #GoBlue #Michigan pic.twitter.com/qxVjuQXt7x
Whittingham wasn't known as a dynamic recruiter at Utah. But it was Utah. Yet, he signed a five-star offensive lineman in this class in Kelvin Obot. The 6-foot-6, 265-pounder is ranked 27th overall. He's the fourth-best offensive tackle in the 2026 class, and Michigan football was one of his finalists.
Thanks to Jim Harding, who was his primary recruiter, Utah beat out the Wolverines for Obot. Yet, if Harding comes to Michigan, as some have predicted, would that open the door for Obot to follow?
The five-star recruit would have to ask out of his letter of intent. Three Michigan players already have and if his position coach leaves, it's much more likely.