Penn State working to flip key Michigan commit is troubling news for Kyle Whittingham

Just because a team gets a commitment out of a player does not guarantee he will ever sign or play for the team in question. The Michigan Wolverines could be learning that the hard way under new head coach Kyle Whittingham if three-star interior offensive lineman Louis Esposito were to flip to rival Penn State. The Nittany Lions recently offered the prospect who has been committed since July.

Keep in mind that Epsosito is the son of former Michigan defensive line coach Lou Esposito as well...

According to the 247Sports Composite, Esposito is the No. 14 player from Michigan, the No. 50 interior offensive lineman, and the No. 846 player nationally. While he would not have played directly under his father at Michigan, as the younger Esposito stars along the offensive line, it always seemed like a foregone conclusion he would be coming to Ann Arbor. Here is why that might not be the case.

If Matt Campbell and his staff are able to flip him, it may change the dynamic of the Big Ten hierarchy.

Penn State is trying to flip 3-star Michigan IOL commit Louis Esposito

With Lou Esposito off to the NFL to join former Michigan assistant Jesse Minter's Baltimore Ravens staff, Louis Esposito's ties to the Wolverines have been muted to some extent. The life of a coach's kid is not always easy, but sometimes he just needs to do what is best for himself. It might be to stick it out with the Wolverines, or it could be to pursue an entirely different venture with the Nittany Lions.

Where the troubling part comes in for Michigan is this would be another example of a player who committed to play under Sherrone Moore that may no longer want to star for the Wolverines. The fact that Campbell is brand-new to Penn State after having come over from Iowa State makes this even more concerning. Campbell being of the belief he could get a Michigan recruit to flip is something...

Overall, you want guys who want to ride with you through thick and thin. Esposito may be cut from that cloth, but Penn State seems to believe that he is primed to be flipped. Truth be told, he can be developed at either traditional power in the Big Ten quite well. However, Esposito no longer having his father part of this Michigan coaching staff is something to monitor. Penn State is closer to Baltimore...

For now, Esposito is a player that Whittingham and his staff will need to keep especially close tabs on.