Kyle Whittingham has been the head coach of the Michigan football program since December, but it took him a couple of months to land his first major high school commitment.
There were some late additions in the 2026 class, but the first real recruiting victory of the Whittingham era came on Tuesday, as Michigan football earned the pledge of four-star safety Darrell Mattison in the 2027 class.
BREAKING: Priority S Darrell Mattison (@DMatt13_) committed to Michigan!!
— Ethan McDowell (@ethanmmcdowell) March 24, 2026
The 6-2 safety is a turnover-forcing machine for Chicago (Ill.) Morgan Park High. Definitely someone who could rise in the rankings over the next year.
Details: https://t.co/lWGd25ZhhX pic.twitter.com/WrV46x3iCU
Out of Chicago, Mattison is 6-foot-2, 160 pounds. He's ranked 410th overall in the 2027 class, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings, making him a four-star recruit.
ESPN doesn't have him ranked at all. Rivals has him as a three-star prospect. His ranking should rise from those services soon. Last season, the ball-hawking safety was credited with 47 tackles, three pass breakups, and five interceptions.
A "turnover machine"
Mattison seems to have a nose for the football. He's a great athlete and a sure-fire tackler. If you watch his film, it will make you like him more than his ranking, which should catch up at some point to the kind of player Michigan football is getting from its latest commitment.
The Wolverines have four commitments total now in the 2027 class. More could be on the way as Michigan is trending for another prospect in the 2027 class. Whittingham and the Wolverines also have a star-studded schedule of spring visitors.
After having to reset things following a coaching change, Michigan's 2027 class seems to be in a good spot. It might not be a top-five class or even a top-10 class, but Mattison is the first of what should be a bunch of quality players coming to Ann Arbor.