The Michigan Wolverines’ new coaching staff has some pressure to build a top notch first recruiting class. People have raised questions about Kyle Whittingham’s ability to recruit the Midwest, so this first class is a big one. So far, they are in a good spot with several top targets. Let’s discuss the latest in today’s Recruiting Roundup.

Five-star DL to take official visit to Michigan

One of the biggest visitors this offseason will be 2027 five-star defensive lineman Marcus Fakatou. There are three schools standing out to him right now, and Michigan is one of them.

“The three schools I know I’ll officially visit right now are Michigan, Texas and Georgia,” Fakatou told On3 ($). “Those are the three I feel I have the best relationship with and the three I know I’ll visit and I’m still sorting out the rest.”

Fakatou has already been to Ann Arbor a couple of times, and he is a big fan of the new staff.

“I’ve been to Michigan twice so far and loved it there,” he said. “I have a great relationship with the new staff coming in and coach Whittingham is a great head coach and the kind of coach I can see myself playing for. It’s a huge stage at Michigan, they’re known for tough defenses and I think I would fit in well there.”

Fakatou is the No. 35 overall prospect and No. 2 defensive lineman in the class, per the composite.

2027 ATH planning multiple visits

Michigan has certainly made a good impression on 2027 three-star athlete Peyton Higginson. The 6-foot-3, 181-pounder from Utah currently has plans to come out to Ann Arbor two times in the coming months.

“I am in talks with coach Jay Hill about dates,” Higginson told The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich ($). “I will be doing an unofficial in the spring and an official in June. I just don’t know the exact dates yet.”

Hill has been one of the main recruiters for Higginson, and he has made a great impression on him thus far.

“I have a great relationship with Coach Hill,” Higginson added. “He and I have stayed in contact ever since my offer to BYU. He has come and watched my baseball games, has visited my home, has invited me to their film sessions and practice when he was at BYU. I have stayed very, very close to Coach Jay Hill and respect him a lot.”

Other schools in the running include BYU, Utah, Cal, Purdue and others.

Elite 2027 WR has high praise for Michigan

A crucial target for Michigan in the 2027 class is four-star wide receiver Dakota Guerrant. The Wolverines need to start adding elite talent at that position, and he certainly fits the mold. New position coach Micah Simon is doing a good job recruiting him so far.

“He’s a little funny, I ain’t gonna lie,” Guerrant told On3’s Ethan McDowell ($). “He’s young, and we could relate. He’s chill, but he knows what he be talking about.

“They’re Michigan. It’s still Michigan. They’re always in there.”

Guerrant wants to see how the Michigan offense looks next year, and that will have a big impact on his decision. He thinks it will be better with the new staff, but like all of us, he has to see it to believe it.

“Bryce looked decent last year, so I know that he’s going to be way better this year,” Guerrant said. “Now, he’s got a coach and an offense that should allow him to make plays. I think I’m going to put my bread in the basket with Bryce and the offensive coordinator. I’ve just still got to see how it looks, but I believe in Bryce at the quarterback position.”

The Wolverines can expect Guerrant to take an official visit this summer.

“I’ll probably OV there anyways, just because it’s Michigan, but I need to see how the offense looks in the spring for sure,” he said.

2027 four-star running back Tyson Robinson will take an official visit to Michigan on June 11, according to 247Sports’ Tom Loy ($).