Wolverine TV: Five elite 2027 Michigan recruiting targets on defense

Michigan already holds three commitments in the 2027 recruiting class and is looking to put together a special group next cycle.

The Wolverine’s EJ Holland breaks down five elite defensive targets, including Top 100 Chesterfield (Va.) Bird EDGE Chris Whitehead.

Whitehead Recruitment

Michigan has been investing a lot of resources into the state of Virginia and put an offer on the table for Whitehead in April.

Whitehead made his first visit to Michigan that same month, and now, the Wolverines are looking to get him back on campus soon.

Here is what Holland had to say about Whitehead.

“Whitehead fits that mold of what Lou Esposito likes at the EDGE position,” Holland said. “He has a bit of a compact build and shares some similarities with Derrick Moore. He also has good length and plays with a ton of power. This one seems to be trending towards a Big Ten recruiting battle. Ohio State is high on his list. Penn State is high on his list. Michigan is certainly in the mix, but the Wolverines need to get him back on campus.”

Along with Michigan, Whitehead holds offers from Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Texas A&M and others.

At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, Whitehead is ranked as the No. 5 EDGE and No. 25 overall prospect nationally, per the Rivals Industry Ranking. He is also ranked as the No. 1 overall recruit in the state of Virginia for next cycle.

Michigan has three commits in its 2027 recruiting class — Top 100 Marion (Mass.) Tabor Academy quarterback Peter Bourque, three-star Southlake (Texas) Carroll offensive lineman Tristan Dare and three-star Saline (Mich.) High offensive lineman Louis Esposito.

Michigan has 23 commits in its 2026 recruiting class — five-star Mineral (Va.) Louisa County running back Savion Hiter, five-star Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga EDGE Carter Meadows, Top 100 Honolulu (Hawaii) Kamehameha offensive tackle Malakai Lee, Top 100 St. Louis (Mo.) DeSmet defensive lineman Titan Davis, Top 100 Billings (Mont.) West tight end Matt Ludwig, Top 100 Newberry Park (Calif.) High quarterback Brady Smigiel, On300 Needham (Mass.) St. Sebastian’s offensive lineman Marky Walbridge, On300 Chesapeake (Va.) Oscar Smith wide receiver Travis Johnson, On300 Irmo (S.C.) Dutch Fork EDGE Julian Walker, On300 Chicago (Ill.) Simeon EDGE McHale Blade, four-star Carrollton (Ga.) High defensive back Dorian Barney, four-star Richmond (Va.) Hermitage defensive back Andre Clarke, four-star Mansfield (Texas) High wide receiver Zion Robinson, three-star Cartersville (Ga.) Cass offensive lineman Bear McWhorter, three-star Washington (D.C.) St. John’s EDGE Tariq Boney, three-star Denver (Colo.) Mullen tight end Mason Bonner, three-star Liberty Hill (Texas) High defensive lineman Alister Vallejo, three-star Dallas (Texas) Parish Episcopal wide receiver Jaylen Pile, three-star Richmond (Va.) Huguenot linebacker Markel Dabney, three-star Hinsdale (Ill.) Central kicker Micah Drescher, Columbus (Ohio) St. Francis DeSales running back Jonathan Brown and Phoenix (Ariz.) O’Connor long snapper Colton Dermer.

Michigan entered the day with the No. 10 ranked 2026 recruiting class nationally, per the On3 Industry team recruiting rankings. Michigan is also ranked No. 4 in the Big Ten. USC currently has the top class in the conference.