One step forward, one step back. Such has been the case for new Michigan football head coach Kyle Whittingham when it comes to assembling the 2027 class. But, for the first time, he's lost one of his own.
The first pledge that Whittingham managed to procure as the new Wolverines coach was 2027 Chicago (Ill.) Morgan Park four-star safety Darrell Mattison. Mattison pledged at the outset of spring, having pledged to the maize and blue just over a month ago (on March 24). However, he wasn't long-lived with his commitment, apparently.
After visiting Ann Arbor for the annual spring game a week and a half ago, Mattison informed Rivals' Hayes Fawcett that he's backing off his pledge to Michigan football.
BREAKING: Four-Star Safety Darrell Mattison has Decommitted from Michigan, he tells me for @RivalsThe 6’2 160 S from Chicago, IL had been Committed to the Wolverines since March 24thhttps://t.co/k8r7t6CvSG pic.twitter.com/YGo2qjAitm
With Mattison gone, Michigan now is back down to five commitments in the 2027 class:
Salt Lake City (Utah) West four-star QB Kamden Lopati
Gatineau (Quebec) Brook Hill School three-star IOL Sidney Rouleau
Las Vegas (Nev.) Centennial three-star S Maxwell Miles
Three of the five are pledges to Whittingham's Michigan, with Kitchen and Esposito having come to the previous staff. However, he's the third to back off his commitment, with quarterback Peter Bourque and offensive lineman Tristan Dare having left not long after Whittingham took over.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football loses a 2027 commitment