It’s been a wild few weeks in Ann Arbor. Seriously. If you’ve been following the wolverine football recruiting news, you know that the "Help Wanted" sign on the front of Schembechler Hall was replaced pretty quickly by a "Now Under New Management" banner. Kyle Whittingham taking the reins after the Sherrone Moore era ended abruptly in December 2025 has sent shockwaves through the Big Ten.
Honestly, the transition felt like a whirlwind. One minute the program was reeling from Moore's termination, and the next, we're seeing a massive influx of talent from—of all places—Salt Lake City.
The Kyle Whittingham Effect and the Utah-to-Michigan Pipeline
Basically, Whittingham didn't just bring his playbook when he swapped the Utes for the Wolverines. He brought a literal moving truck of talent. This is the biggest story in college football right now. Since January 7, 2026, we’ve seen a steady stream of former Utah players choosing the Big House over the mountains.
The most recent splash? JJ Buchanan.
The 6-foot-3 tight end, who was a breakout freshman for the Utes last year, officially committed to Michigan on January 11. He’s not coming alone, either. Defensive end John Henry Daley and tackle Jonah Lea’ea are already on campus. It's kinda funny how quickly the "West Coast" vibe has hit Michigan’s roster. Buchanan had 427 yards and five scores last season, and pairing him with Whittingham's familiar scheme makes him an immediate threat for 2026.
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But the name everyone is refreshing their feed for is Salesi Moa.
Moa is a top-50 prospect in the 2026 cycle who had originally signed with Utah. When the coaching staff changed, he hit the portal immediately. Most experts, including 247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong and EJ Holland, are projecting him to land in Ann Arbor any minute now. Why? Well, his brother Aisea Moa is already projected to join the Wolverines, and their relative, Lewis Powell, is the edge rusher coach. It’s a family affair at this point.
Breaking Down the 2026 Signing Class
While the transfer portal is grabbing the headlines today, January 13, 2026, let’s not forget the foundation Moore built before the wheels came off. Michigan signed 27 players in the early period last December. It's a top-12 class nationally, though it's slipped a bit since the coaching change.
- Carter Meadows (EDGE): He’s the crown jewel. A 5-star out of D.C. standing 6-foot-7. He’s basically a created player in a video game.
- Savion Hiter (RB): The top player out of Virginia. He enrolled on January 7, so he’s already hitting the weights in Ann Arbor.
- Brady Smigiel (QB): The California kid. Some services have him as a 4-star now, but his production at Newbury Park was legendary. He’s the future of the offense.
- Malakai Lee (OT): A 6-7, 350-pound mountain from Hawaii. Michigan beat out half the SEC for him.
The class is heavy on the trenches. Typical Michigan. Even with the staff change, the core "Blue Chip" percentage sits at around 45%, which is enough to keep them competitive with the likes of Ohio State and Oregon.
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The Secondary Scramble
Let's be real: the defensive back room was a mess for a minute there. With starters like TJ Metcalf and Jayden Sanders gone, and depth pieces like Jaden Mangham entering the portal, fans were panicking.
Monday, January 12, changed the mood.
First, freshman Jordan Young withdrew his name from the transfer portal. That’s huge. Losing him would have been a massive blow to the long-term depth. Then, Michigan landed Chris Bracy, a veteran safety from Memphis. Bracy is a plug-and-play guy who should settle the nerves of the new defensive staff.
What’s Next for Michigan?
Whittingham is still filling out his staff. We know Tyler Stockton is in as the safeties coach, and the defensive staff is largely set. The focus now is 100% on roster retention. Keeping Andrew Marsh from jumping into the portal was a massive win for this new staff. He would have been the #1 target for every school in Texas.
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If you're looking for actionable insights on where this is going, keep an eye on these three things:
- The Moa Watch: If Salesi Moa commits this week, Michigan lands a versatile athlete who can play WR or CB. His IQ is through the roof.
- The New OC Search: Whittingham is looking for a permanent offensive coordinator. Whoever he hires will determine if Brady Smigiel remains the centerpiece of the 2026 class.
- The "Big Three" Transfers: With 12 transfers already in for 2026, expect Michigan to target one more high-end interior defensive lineman before spring ball.
The "Wolverine football recruiting news" isn't just about high school kids anymore; it's about how Kyle Whittingham can blend his Utah veterans with Michigan's elite young talent. It’s a risky experiment, but if it works, the transition from Moore to Whittingham might be remembered as the smartest pivot in program history.
Your next move: Track the official 247Sports "Crystal Ball" for Salesi Moa over the next 48 hours and check the updated scholarship numbers—Michigan is getting close to the 85-man limit with these portal additions.