Michigan's 5-star Dakota Guerrant hopes aren't dead yet despite Oregon setback

Kyle Whittingham had to come into a Michigan football program that had just lost its head coach to a scandal. It's no simple task to inherit that situation, but for a seasoned head coach like Whittingham, he made it look easy, retaining a good portion of the roster and bringing in 21 players in the 2027 recruiting cycle so far.

If there is one thing fans would gripe about when it comes to Whittingham's recruiting job, it's the in-state recruiting. Getting in-state guys to come to Ann Arbor has been a tough task for the new Michigan man, and his biggest miss came from five-star wide receiver Dakota Guerrant, who lives less than an hour from Michigan's campus.

Not only did Guerrant spurn Michigan for another school, but it had to be Oregon, a new Big Ten foe. While Guerrant seems pretty locked in with the Ducks, he isn't completely shutting down the idea of flipping his commitment, saying he is open to game-day visits during the 2026 season.

This is the open door that Whittingham has to take because, let's face it, there is no way Michigan has stopped its pursuit of a recruit who lives less than an hour away. While it hasn't been confirmed that Michigan is still on the table for Guerrant, Whittingham would be a fool not to try to flip a talent like this.

3 big-time Michigan games the Wolverines could use to impress 5-star WR Dakota Guerrant

If Guerrant is open to game-day visits this season, Michigan has no shortage of big matchups to welcome him to Ann Arbor for. While the two biggest games, Ohio State and Oregon, won't be home games for the Wolverines, this is a stacked schedule for Michigan, and Whittingham has three big matchups that Guerrant would be crazy to pass up seeing.

September 12 vs. Oklahoma

What is better than a little SEC vs. Big Ten action early in the season? After the Wolverines were thwarted by the Sooners in Norman last season, a midday matchup in The Big House is exactly what the doctor ordered for a signature Whittingham big win.

This is a different Michigan team from last season, and with Underwood having another year of experience, it could be a great game to show Guerrant what he could have in store for him offensively at Michigan. This is the first big game for Whititngham and the offense, and the atmosphere will be electric, the perfect environment to show Guerrant what he could play in front of in Ann Arbor.

October 17 vs. Penn State

Penn State may have had a down season in 2025, but the Nittany Lions aren't a team that will be held down for long. Like Michigan, Penn State will be sporting a new head coach this season, with former Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell taking over. Whittingham and Campbell should be familiar with each other from the Big 12, making this a very interesting matchup.

At this point in the season, the offense should hopefully have worked out any kinks and be firing on all cylinders. It could be the perfect matchup, as there is a question as to how Penn State will look in its first season under Campbell. If the defense is looking shaky for the Nittany Lions, it could be the offensive show Guerrant would love to see.

October 24 vs. Indiana

Michigan will welcome the reigning champs to town in late October, the weather will be turning, the fans will be hoping for a big upset, and the Wolverines should be working like a well-oiled machine under Whittingham.

If Guerrant wants a game where he can see what it is like to play later in the season against a big opponent in the fun weather Michigan has to offer, this is the one for him. While it is a wonder what Indiana team will show up - the reigning champs, or the Indiana everyone knows from before Curt Cignetti - this is a big matchup that could be a lot of fun for a game-day visit.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow