Michigan lands 2027 commitment from 4-star Chicago DB

Michigan’s 2027 recruiting class under Kyle Whittingham is small at the moment. On Tuesday, though, the Wolverines added one of the country’s top safeties to the mix.

Darrell Mattison, a product of Chicago, has pledged to Michigan. According to On3’s Hayes Fawcett, Indiana, Ole Miss, and Penn State were Mattison’s finalists.

As a junior at Morgan Park High School, Mattison was credited with 47 tackles and five interceptions. But he showcased his talents in the return game as well, taking two kickoffs back for touchdowns.

Mattison’s commitment on Tuesday gives the Wolverines four pledged players in the cycle. He joins 4-star in-state pass rusher Recarder Kitchen, the No. 17 edge rusher in the country, as defensive commitments. Whittingham also has pledges from interior offensive linemen Tristan Dare (Southlake Carroll in Texas) and in-state product Louis Esposito.

Michigan is, of course, a program in transition after the firing of Sherrone Moore. The university turned to Whittingham, who parted ways with Utah after 21 seasons and was the Utes’ winningest coach with a 177-88 record.

Can he do what he wasn’t able to do in Salt Lake City and lead the Wolverines to the College Football Playoff? Here’s the latest Kalshi market for 2026 CFP qualifiers.

Meanwhile, here’s a look at Mattison’s high school highlights from Hudl: