ESPN 300 receiver flips from Michigan to Auburn after Kyle Whittingham announcement

An ESPN 300 wide receiver flipped his commitment from the Michigan Wolverines to the Auburn Tigers in the wake of the announcement of Kyle Whittingham being hired. 

Brady Marchese, ESPN’s No. 8 wide receiver prospect and No. 60 overall recruit, committed to Auburn on Sunday. This comes two days after requesting his release from Michigan. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound receiver from Cartersville, Georgia, becomes Auburn’s top-ranked pledge in the 2026 class.

Marchese is the third ESPN 300 signee to leave Michigan’s class since Sherrone Moore was fired Dec. 10. He had previously been committed to Georgia before signing with the Wolverines during the early signing period.

Whittingham, who stepped down at Utah after 21 seasons, made clear he was open to coaching again, joking he was a “free agent” in the transfer portal. Michigan’s pursuit of the veteran coach added to uncertainty around the program.

Alex Golesh and Auburn now has six ESPN 300 commits in 2026 as it reshapes a roster that has seen multiple wide receivers enter the transfer portal.

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