Recruits react to Michigan’s hire of Kyle Whittingham
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Michigan has hired former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham as its next head coach, concluding a search that began on Dec. 10. With Whittingham in place, attention now turns to the recruiting trail, where the Wolverines’ commits and top targets are beginning to react to the decision.
Five-Star Plus+ EDGE Carter Meadows
Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga edge rusher Carter Meadows told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong that he is very confident about the future of the Michigan program under Whittingham.
“I’m feeling good,” he said. “It was a long process. We waited for the outcome and based off what I know about coach Whittingham, I’m confident. He’s built a culture of accountability and discipline and his defense has a play style of physical and tough. I’m still 100 percent committed to Michigan and feeling good about the future.”
Meadows’ father, Mike, is also optimistic about the hire.
“He’s a solid, tenured guy that’s been super consistent,” he said. “Every year you look up and Utah is in the top 20 and he’s done a lot with less. He should be well setup with Michigan.”
Meadows is ranked as the No. 6 overall prospect and No. 2 edge rusher in the Rivals Industry Rankings.
3-star QB Brady Smigiel
Joe Smigiel, the father of Newbury Park (Calif.) quarterback Brady Smigiel, told Rivals’ Adam Gorney that his family would be withholding comment on the hire for the time being.
“We really don’t (have a comment) until we meet with (Whittingham’s) staff,” he said. “He is a hard, disciplined coach, which Brady loves.”
Smigiel committed to Michigan in April over a group of finalists that included Florida State, South Carolina and UCLA. He ranks as the No. 28 quarterback in the Rivals Industry Rankings.
4-star QB Peter Bourque
Hingham (Mass.) Tabor Academy quarterback Peter Bourque told Rivals’ Chad Simmons that he is excited about Michigan hiring Whittingham.
“Great news,” he said. “Obviously coach Whittingham is a great coach as his record at Utah shows. I am fired up to speak with him and the staff and learn about them and their vision for Michigan football.”
Bourque’s father, Rob, is also pumped about the hire.
“We’re excited,” he told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong. “Obviously coach Whittingham is a great coach, had a great run at Utah. We’re excited to learn more about him, his staff and his ideas about Michigan football moving forward. We haven’t crossed paths with him or his staff in the recruiting realm but we’re eager to see what their plan is and how they’re going to go about it.
“There’s a lot of reasons Michigan is a special place to Pete and we want to see what’s going on there first and foremost.”
Bourque committed to Michigan in August over offers from programs such as Georgia, Penn State and Virginia. He is the No. 91 overall prospect in the country and the No. 8 quarterback, according to the Rivals Industry Rankings.
3-star RB Jonathan Brown
Columbus (Ohio) St. Francis DeSales running back Jonathan Brown told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong that he wasn’t very familiar with Whittingham when news broke of his hiring.
“Unfortunately I don’t know much about him,” he said. “My family and I are doing more research about him now.”
Brown committed to Michigan in June over offers from Air Force, Army, Kent State, Rutgers and others. He earned an offer after impressing the program’s coaching staff at camp. He is on track to enroll early in Ann Arbor.
4-star WR Brady Marchese
Cartersville (Ga.) wide receiver Brady Marchese told Rivals’ Chad Simmons that he’s looking forward to learning more about Whittingham and his plans for Michigan football.
“I don’t really know much about coach Whittingham,” he said. “I’m not sure what this will do to the current staff. It’s been crazy, for sure.”
Marchese had been committed to Georgia for nearly nine months before flipping to the Wolverines on Dec. 4. He ranks as the No. 166 overall prospect and No. 27 wide receiver in the Rivals Industry Rankings.
4-star EDGE Recarder Kitchen (2027)
Muskegon (Mich.) edge rusher Recarder Kitchen told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong that he is still locked in with his Michigan commitment despite not knowing much about Whittingham yet.
“I don’t know nothing about him,” he said. “The tradition and the relationship behind (the commitment) for me.”
Kitchen ranks as the No. 126 overall prospect and no. 19 edge rusher in the 2027 Rivals Industry Rankings. He committed to the Wolverines in November over offers from programs such as Notre Dame, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M and USC.
This story is being updated.
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