Michigan Football lands first recruiting commitment of Kyle Whittingham era

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

The Michigan Wolverines landed their first commitment of the Kyle Whittingham era on Tuesday evening, as 2027 four-star safety Darrell Mattison made things official on social media.

The 6-foot-2, 160-pounder from Chicago was offered by Michigan back in January and is coming off an unofficial visit to Ann Arbor this past weekend, a visit that he called “mind-blowing.” He has seemingly formed a strong bond pretty fast with new Michigan safeties coach Tyler Stockton.

“He’s a very genuine, very kind guy,” Mattison told On3’s Ethan McDowell. “He’s very just upfront, you know? He doesn’t BS you — excuse my language — but he’s a very straightforward guy … he was just saying how he sees me as, basically, not one of his players, but I would be treated as one of his own. The message he was relaying was pretty good.”

In addition to the Wolverines, Mattison also had offers from schools like Ole Miss, Indiana, Penn State, Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Washington, Michigan State, Louisville, Iowa State and more.

Michigan is now up to four commitments in the 2027 class, as Mattison joins four-star edge rusher Recarder Kitchen, and three-star offensive linemen Tristan Dare and Louis Esposito.

Mattison is ranked No. 410 overall on the 247Sports composite. As a junior in 2025, he compiled 47 total tackles, one tackle for loss, five interceptions, three pass breakups and one fumble recovery. Check out some of his best highlights from last season at Morgan Park High School in the video below.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos