The first Michigan football commit of the Kyle Whittingham era is no more.
Darrell Mattison, a four-star safety out of Chicago (Morgan Park), who became the first pledge to U-M's new staff when he committed to the Wolverines on Tuesday, March 24, decommitted just more than a month later on Tuesday, April 28, according to his Instagram.
The defensive back was highly regarded by recruiting services, ranked No. 14 in Illinois, No. 38 nationally at safety and No. 410 among all 2027 recruits, according to 247Sports' composite rankings. Mattison finished with 47 tackles, five interceptions, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery in his 2026 campaign, according to his profile.
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Rayshaun Benny heads inside Schembechler Hall at the University of Michigan for his pro day for NFL scouts on Friday, March 20, 2026.A large picture including number 26, Rayshaun Benny that’s displayed inside Schembechler Hall at the University of Michigan on Friday, March 20, 2026.Rayshaun Benny after his pro day for NFL scouts on Friday, March 20, 2026.at the University of Michigan.Some of the decorations inside the apartment of Rayshaun Benny as he gets dressed on the morning of Friday, March 20, 2026 at his apartment in Ann Arbor for his pro day for NFL scouts at the University of Michigan.Some of the decorations inside the apartment of Rayshaun Benny as he gets dressed on the morning of Friday, March 20, 2026 at his apartment in Ann Arbor for his pro day for NFL scouts at the University of Michigan.Rayshaun Benny gets dressed in the morning of Friday, March 20, 2026 at his apartment in Ann Arbor for his pro day for NFL scouts at the University of Michigan.Rayshaun Benny heads towards his pro day for NFL scouts at the University of Michigan on the morning of Friday, March 20, 2026.Rayshaun Benny, right, talks with a Michigan teammate during their pro day on campus on Friday, March 20, 2026.Rayshaun Benny runs for time in front of NFL scouts during his pro day at the University of Michigan on Friday, March 20, 2026.Rayshaun Benny shows off his blocking skills for NFL scouts during his pro day at the University of Michigan on Friday, March 20, 2026.Rayshaun Benny shows off his skills for NFL scouts during his pro day at the University of Michigan on Friday, March 20, 2026.Rayshaun Benny shows off his skills for NFL scouts during his pro day at the University of Michigan on Friday, March 20, 2026.Michigan defensive lineman Rayshaun Benny (26) walks of the field after warm up ahead of the New Mexico game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, August 30, 2025.Michigan defensive lineman Rayshaun Benny (26) gets ready for a play against Central Michigan during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.Michigan defensive lineman Rayshaun Benny (26) high-fives fans after 21-16 win over Purdue at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, November 1, 2025.Michigan defensive lineman Rayshaun Benny (26) watches warmup during the spring game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 20, 2024.Michigan defensive lineman Rayshaun Benny (26) tries ton block a pass from Ohio State quarterback Will Howard (18) during the second half at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.1 / 17Rayshaun Benny, Michigan football standout and 2026 NFL Draft hopefulRayshaun Benny heads inside Schembechler Hall at the University of Michigan for his pro day for NFL scouts on Friday, March 20, 2026.1 / 17Rayshaun Benny, Michigan football standout and 2026 NFL Draft hopefulRayshaun Benny heads inside Schembechler Hall at the University of Michigan for his pro day for NFL scouts on Friday, March 20, 2026.2 / 17Rayshaun Benny, Michigan football standout and 2026 NFL Draft hopefulA large picture including number 26, Rayshaun Benny that’s displayed inside Schembechler Hall at the University of Michigan on Friday, March 20, 2026.3 / 17Rayshaun Benny, Michigan football standout and 2026 NFL Draft hopefulRayshaun Benny after his pro day for NFL scouts on Friday, March 20, 2026.at the University of Michigan.4 / 17Rayshaun Benny, Michigan football standout and 2026 NFL Draft hopefulSome of the decorations inside the apartment of Rayshaun Benny as he gets dressed on the morning of Friday, March 20, 2026 at his apartment in Ann Arbor for his pro day for NFL scouts at the University of Michigan.5 / 17Rayshaun Benny, Michigan football standout and 2026 NFL Draft hopefulSome of the decorations inside the apartment of Rayshaun Benny as he gets dressed on the morning of Friday, March 20, 2026 at his apartment in Ann Arbor for his pro day for NFL scouts at the University of Michigan.6 / 17Rayshaun Benny, Michigan football standout and 2026 NFL Draft hopefulRayshaun Benny gets dressed in the morning of Friday, March 20, 2026 at his apartment in Ann Arbor for his pro day for NFL scouts at the University of Michigan.7 / 17Rayshaun Benny, Michigan football standout and 2026 NFL Draft hopefulRayshaun Benny heads towards his pro day for NFL scouts at the University of Michigan on the morning of Friday, March 20, 2026.8 / 17Rayshaun Benny, Michigan football standout and 2026 NFL Draft hopefulRayshaun Benny, right, talks with a Michigan teammate during their pro day on campus on Friday, March 20, 2026.9 / 17Rayshaun Benny, Michigan football standout and 2026 NFL Draft hopefulRayshaun Benny runs for time in front of NFL scouts during his pro day at the University of Michigan on Friday, March 20, 2026.10 / 17Rayshaun Benny, Michigan football standout and 2026 NFL Draft hopefulRayshaun Benny shows off his blocking skills for NFL scouts during his pro day at the University of Michigan on Friday, March 20, 2026.11 / 17Rayshaun Benny, Michigan football standout and 2026 NFL Draft hopefulRayshaun Benny shows off his skills for NFL scouts during his pro day at the University of Michigan on Friday, March 20, 2026.12 / 17Rayshaun Benny, Michigan football standout and 2026 NFL Draft hopefulRayshaun Benny shows off his skills for NFL scouts during his pro day at the University of Michigan on Friday, March 20, 2026.13 / 17Rayshaun Benny, Michigan football standout and 2026 NFL Draft hopefulMichigan defensive lineman Rayshaun Benny (26) walks of the field after warm up ahead of the New Mexico game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, August 30, 2025.14 / 17Rayshaun Benny, Michigan football standout and 2026 NFL Draft hopefulMichigan defensive lineman Rayshaun Benny (26) gets ready for a play against Central Michigan during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.15 / 17Rayshaun Benny, Michigan football standout and 2026 NFL Draft hopefulMichigan defensive lineman Rayshaun Benny (26) high-fives fans after 21-16 win over Purdue at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, November 1, 2025.16 / 17Rayshaun Benny, Michigan football standout and 2026 NFL Draft hopefulMichigan defensive lineman Rayshaun Benny (26) watches warmup during the spring game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 20, 2024.17 / 17Rayshaun Benny, Michigan football standout and 2026 NFL Draft hopefulMichigan defensive lineman Rayshaun Benny (26) tries ton block a pass from Ohio State quarterback Will Howard (18) during the second half at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.U-M's Class of 2027 is now ranked No. 40 in the nation after the move, with five pledges in the class.
The recruiting cycle will heat up in the summer, which begins with official visit season in June. Michigan is making inroads with players all over the country, which includes some in its home state as it hopes to round out the first full class under the new coach.
Tony Garcia is the Michigan beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Kyle Whittingham's first Michigan recruit Darrell Mattison decommits