The new Kyle Whittingham experience is still working to hit the ground running with recruiting for Michigan football's 2027 class, and though some top targets appear to be eliminating the Wolverines, others are looking to see what might be going on in Ann Arbor.
The past few days have seen some top lists go out, with recruits starting to name finalists. And the Wolverines made the cut for one elite prospect on Friday.
2027 Orange (Calif.) Lutheran five-star defensive lineman Marcus Fakatou revealed his top 10, and Michigan football made the cut along with Ohio State, Texas, Oregon, Georgia, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, USC, Miami, and Penn State.
NEWS: Elite 2027 DL Marcus Fakatou is down to 10 Schools, he tells me for @Rivals
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) February 13, 2026
The 6’7 275 DL from Riverside, CA is ranked as the No. 2 DL in the ‘27 Class (per Rivals Industry)
Where Should He Go? ⬇️ https://t.co/uJVAahWizBpic.twitter.com/pU4ReYJbUV
Here is the scouting report from 247Sports:
-Rugged defensive lineman with a sky-scraping frame and a wide base that wins primarily with effort and energy.-Has gotten snaps out of a variety of different alignments, but is frequently featured as a 5-technique in a four-man front where he powers his way into the backfield with his raw strength.-More of a one-speed mover that lacks the desired tempo as a rusher, but can build momentum and make stops in pursuit.-Disengages from blockers with a long arm and will find ways to split double teams, but needs to get better at holding his ground and stuffing gaps.-Likely to kick inside at the next level, but could settle in as a 4i in an odd front as that would allow him to read, react and create up-field push.-Unique background as he grew up in Alaska, but projects as a potential impact player at the Power Four level with his physical features.
Considering the new emphasis on Polynesian recruits due to Whittingham's time at Utah, that gives the Wolverines an in that they perhaps didn't have before.
Fakatou is rated the No. 35 player in the country according to the 247Sports Composite.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football makes top 10 for 5-star DL Marcus Fakatou