Kyle Whittingham continues to add to his 2027 recruiting class with another commitment that comes from a recruit whom the Wolverines made a priority. When Michigan made an offer to three-star linebacker Brayden Watson, the Wolverines continued to push hard for his commitment, and now that hard work has paid off.
Watson recently announced his commitment to Michigan over Duke, Pitt, and Vanderbilt. None of this could have been possible without linebackers coach Kyle Whittingham's son, Alex Whittingham, leading the charge for Watson.
The Buford, Georgia native said he felt like he truly was wanted at Michigan, and the process was different than any other recruiting process he experienced.
"The defensive coordinator, the head coach, the linebacker coach — everybody was reaching out," Watson told Rivals. "Even coaches I really had no business talking to were talking to me. The coaches at Michigan showed me that I was important to them.”
BREAKING: Class of 2027 LB Brayden Watson has Committed to Michigan, he tells me for @Rivals
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 29, 2026
The 6’3 215 LB from Buford, GA chose the Wolverines over Vanderbilt, Pitt, and Mississippi State
“I’m proof of God’s grace.”https://t.co/yEni3iATxl pic.twitter.com/Q9cjy7TRCa
The Whittingham family is showing how recruiting can soar at Michigan
If there is one thing that Watson's recruitment and commitment show, it is that the Whittingham family knows how to recruit. Watson detailed how he felt so special throughout his recruitment with Michigan, and while Aex led the charge, Kyle was backing him up the entire time.
Alex Whittingham is getting ready to begin his first season as the linebackers coach at Michigan, and he brings a lot to the table for the Wolverines. He is more than just Kyle Whittingham's son, but the coaching experience he brings is something not many programs can say they have.
Before coming to Michigan, Alex Whittingham spent eight years with the Kansas City Chiefs, as the played several roles within the organization and the defensive coaching staff. Whittingham was a part of the five Chiefs teams that made it to the Super Bowl, helping them win three rings. Working closely with the Chiefs' defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo, alone will help Whittingham in his time at Michigan.
Watson talked about how Alex Whittingham didn't just come to his school and make offers to multiple players like many programs do, but called him personally to make him an offer to Michigan. This stood out to Watson over all the other programs, as well as how he was treated during his visits to Ann Arbor.
Even though Watson isn't the highest-ranked recruit for the Wolverines, clearly, there is something Whittnigham saw that he believes will help the Wolverines in the future. Whittingham and his son are building something in Ann Arbor, and it has to make Michigan fans very happy.
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