When the waters truly seemed to be calming down, if not flowing in Kyle Whittingham's direction, another blue-chip Michigan commit asked to be released from his signing with the Wolverines.
Three-star kicker Micah Drescher, who was the No. 1 kicker in the recruiting class of 2026, announced he no longer wanted to play for the Michigan Wolverines next season, formally requesting to be released.
Michigan loses top position commit from class of 2026
More likely than not, Drescher wants to go somewhere he will see immediate playing time, and with Michigan special teams coordinator Kerry Coombs picking up Trey Butkowski from the transfer portal, the young kicker is worried he won't see that in Ann Arbor.
BREAKING: Michigan kicker commit Micah Drescher asked for a release from his signing.
— Ethan McDowell (@ethanmmcdowell) January 14, 2026
He's the No. 1 kicker prospect in the country with Chris Sailer Kicking.
More here: https://t.co/WjVc6CJKjK pic.twitter.com/Ae1W7JGTuj
Butkowski announced he was transferring to Michigan after spending one season with the Pitt Panthers, and was a three-star prospect in the portal.
Over the 2025 season, which was far from disappointing for the Panthers, Butkowski made 43 of 44 extra point attempts (97.7 percent), as well as 20 of 23 field goal attempts (87 percent), which included a perfect 14 of 14 streak on field goals within 40 yards.
Butkowski's career-longest made field goal was a 47-yarder against the Boston College Eagles, when he made two field goals and six extra points for 12 of Pitt's 48 total points.
Simply put, Butkowski is tested at the collegiate level and has already spent a season as a Power Five program's starting kicker. Meanwhile, Drescher is coming straight out of high school and has yet to play a snap at the college level.
Yes, it always hurts to lose a three-star prospect from a recruiting class, but the Wolverines are going to be just fine on special teams.