When it comes to recruiting, it is not the sole job of the head coach to bring in every prospect and make personal connections. The rest of the coaching staff is meant to go out and find some recruits that could fit well in the program, and one of the best guys for that job at Michigan is Alex Whittingham.
Kyle Whittingham's son decided to follow his father to Ann Arbor after spending multiple seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, coaching in the linebackers room. Now, he brings his expertise to the Wolverines as the new linebackers coach and is already making a strong case as Michigan's top recruiter.
One of Whittingham's biggest wins so far this offseason is the pickup of four-star linebacker Frederrick Ford in the Class of 2027. After a late offer came in for the No. 191 player in the class by 247Sports, Ford quickly made the Wolverines a top contender for his recruitment. Whittingham led the charge and ultimately closed the deal in a matter of weeks.
Now, Whittingham is already showing the connection he is able to make with his guys, displaying a playful side to them. Whittingham was seen in an Instagram video posted by Ford, wearing a Michigan football helmet, 'guarding' Ford, and just messing around.
#Michigan LB coach Alex Whittingham (@alexwutangham) can coach, recruit and even cover one-on-one 😂 via Ford’s IG.
— Brice Marich (@BriceMarich) July 9, 2026
But honestly you can see the strong connection Whittingham quickly built with 4⭐️ LB commit Frederrick Ford (@ford_prodigy) during the recruiting process. pic.twitter.com/s2advVwYVP
Alex Whittingham is responsible for a strong linebacker group in the 2027 recruiting class
Ford isn't the only linebacker Michigan was able to gain a commitment from this offseason; he was just the first one. Shortly after Ford's commitment, the Wolverines landed three-star linebackers Brayden Watson and Weston Port just days apart from each other. Port is certainly an interesting pickup, originally from the Class of 2025 and a UCLA commit, but went on a mission for two years and is just now making his return to college football.
Whittingham was the lead recruiter for all three of these guys as the linebackers coach, and his connection with each one is strong. Ford wasn't given an offer from the Wolverines until June, crashing an SEC-heavy race, but clearly the connection with Whittingham made an impression.
Heading into his first season, Whittingham will be tested early as the linebacker group is viewed as the weakest link on a stacked Michigan defense. This is an unproven linebacker core, and it will continue to be that even when this 2027 group gets to campus. Whittingham will have to work to get his guys game-ready in a short amount of time, but his eye for talent is proven, especially with the Chiefs.
When he was with the Chiefs, Whittingham clearly learned a lot from defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, and the linebacker core was among the strongest within the defense, with guys like Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill.
Now, Whittingham will have to translate that success to the college level with Michigan. With a young group, Whittingham will have the ability to develop them from the ground up, teaching his style of play early in their careers.
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