Michigan already signed 20 prospects to its 2026 class, ranking 12th nationally. And the legacy recruit was a missing piece in the historical program. But not anymore, as new HC Kyle Whittingham adds the touch, landing a commitment from the younger brother of a Michigan DB.

According to On3’s Ethan McDowel, Michigan added Liberty Christian DL Ndi Etta to their 2026 recruiting class. Etta confirmed the news through his Instagram post, announcing his pledge to the Wolverines with the caption reading, ‘Go Blue.’ He is likely the final member of the Wolverines’ 2026 class, as National Signing Day ends this Wednesday, February 4.

He is the legacy recruit, being the brother of Michigan’s DB Enow Etta, who spent the last three seasons with the program. His brother logged 20 total tackles, two pass breakups, and one sack over his three seasons, with 15 of those tackles coming this past season.

Ndi was the only recruit to receive an offer from the Wolverines during the coaching changes. He was a priority target for Michigan, and Whittingham sent a coach from Ann Arbor to visit him earlier this month and invited him for an official visit. The 6-foot-1 pounder visited Ann Arbor a week before national signing day, and it converted into a commitment on Sunday afternoon. Reports reveal DL coach Lou Esposito is the man behind the whole commitment process. 

Etta recorded a total of 68 tackles, 17 stops for loss, and 10.5 sacks this past season with Liberty Christian. The Army was the most competitive contender before Michigan offered him in December 2025. He held multiple offers from FCS and FBS programs before the Wolverines entered the contention.

Ndi Etta signed with Michigan, holding offers from Toledo, Miami, and Ohio. With his commitment, Etta becomes the fourth linebacker to commit to the Wolverines this cycle, joining Catchings, Markel Dabney, and Aden Reeder. While Michigan’s defense already looks stacked up in the 2026 class with the legacy recruit, Whittingham looks to carry the momentum to the 2027 class, targeting Charles Woodson Jr.

Kyle Whittingham’s pursuit of Charles Woodson Jr

According to Michigan insider Brice Marich, Kyle Whittingham visited Lake Nona High School along with four other Wolverine coaches to aggressively push commitment from their 4-star DB Charles Woodson Jr. It is reported that DC Jay Hill, safeties coach Tyler Stockton, D-line coach Lou Esposito, and DE coach Lewis Powell all visited him within a month, just to make sure their high interest in Woodson Jr.

He is a legacy prospect for the Wolverines, being the son of Charles Woodson, who was Michigan’s Heisman Trophy winner and a Super Bowl winner in the NFL. Woodson played for the Wolverines from 1995 to 1997 and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders as the No. 4 overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft.

Michigan has been actively pursuing its son to keep the momentum going, even before Whittingham’s arrival. Woodson Jr. also has a strong interest in playing for the Wolverines, with family ties as the primary reason. “It’s Michigan,” he said. “It’s a big school, a big program… My first game day visit and everything, I like it up there a lot.” 

On3’s rival industry ranking currently gives Michigan a 99% chance to land him. However, nothing could be confirmed at this point, as the defensive back holds 14 offers from top schools. He is yet to receive more offers and has enough time to make his decision.