Brady Marchese, a highly regarded four-star wide receiver from Cartersville High in Georgia, has decided to part ways with the University of Michigan’s football program shortly after committing. Announcing his decision on social media on Friday, Marchese’s exit coincides with Michigan’s ongoing coaching turmoil, as the university reportedly finalizes a deal with Kyle Whittingham, who has a long history with Utah, to take over as head coach.
Marchese previously flipped his commitment from Georgia on signing day, December 4. However, Michigan’s program faced significant challenges following the firing of Sherrone Moore on December 10 due to allegations of inappropriate behavior with a female staff member, leading to several criminal charges against him. The timing of Moore’s dismissal has complicated Michigan’s coaching search and affected its recruitment efforts during a crucial period in the NCAA football calendar.
Marchese’s departure marks the third significant loss for Michigan’s 2026 recruiting class, which is now down to 24 players. Tight end Matt Ludwig has already signed with Texas Tech, while offensive lineman Bear McWhorter redirected his commitment to Auburn. This leaves Michigan with just two wide receivers in the class: four-star Travis Johnson and three-star Jaylen Pile, highlighting a significant gap in a position of need for the Wolverines.
Before joining Michigan, the 6-foot-1, 183-pound Marchese was committed to Georgia since March. In 2025, he had a standout season, leading his team with 41 receptions, tallying 981 yards and scoring 15 touchdowns. His talent and performance have made him a highly sought-after prospect, and it will be interesting to see where he chooses to go next as he reopens his recruitment.
Despite the upheaval within the program, there remains hope for Michigan as it looks to stabilize and refocus its recruitment efforts under new leadership. Emphasizing a return to success, the transition may enable the Wolverines to attract new talent and potentially heal from the recent turmoil.