Michigan Locks Up Top Big Ten OT Prospect for the 2027 Class

After a busy May‑June recruiting sprint, Michigan’s 2027 class has slowed to a crawl. In July the Wolverines added just two names – the last being four‑star lineman Lincoln Mageo on the 11th. Still, the team sits at No. 11 nationally and ranks third in the Big Ten, according to On3.

The real headline, though, is that the Wolverines now boast the highest‑rated offensive tackle in the conference. Jakari Lipsey, a four‑star recruit from Kalamazoo’s Loy Norrix, climbed to the No. 8 spot among all 2027 tackles on Rivals and is listed as the top tackle in the Big Ten.

Lipsey’s numbers vary a bit across services – 247Sports puts him at 36th overall, Rivals at 128th, and ESPN at 275th – but the consensus is clear: he’s a four‑star talent with a lot of upside. He was the fifth Wolverine to sign on for the 2027 cycle, joining a growing offensive‑line group that already includes Sidney Rouleau, Lou Esposito and the newly pledged Lincoln Mageo.

Michigan isn’t exactly short on talent at the tackle spot. Five‑star Andrew Babalola is heading into his sophomore year, while Andrew Sprague and Blake Frazier will be in their third seasons. Younger prospects like Avery Gach, Malakai Lee and Tommy Fraumann are also on the horizon. Lipsey, however, isn’t expected to start right away; he’s raw, still polishing his technique, and will need a couple of years of development before he can line up for Jim Harding’s O‑line.

Scouts note Lipsey’s athleticism – a three‑sport high school star who can dunk, throw the shot put and even played both ways on the gridiron. He’s been praised for his size and upside, but also warned that consistency and diligent work will be key to turning potential into production.

All told, while the 2027 recruiting pace may feel a bit sluggish, landing Lipsey gives Michigan a tangible building block for the future. Give him time, coach him right, and he could become a cornerstone of the Wolverines’ offensive front.