Kyle Whittingham’s mission to stabilize Michigan football hit its first major obstacle. Whittingham’s legacy alone was not enough to keep their 2027 quarterback commit, Peter Bourque, locked in. Viewed as the next man up after Bryce Underwood, he delivered the unpleasant surprise Whittingham was not ready for. 

“NEWS: Class of 2027 quarterback recruit Peter Bourque has de-committed from Michigan, he told ESPN. Bourque is ESPN’s No. 130 overall recruit in the Class of 2027 and is a Top 10 quarterback recruit,” ESPN analyst Pete Thamel reported. “He plans to re-open his recruitment.”

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound passer, Bourque, committed to Michigan in early August last year. Landing Bourque was a major recruiting victory for the Wolverines. They had to overcome top competitors like Oregon and Georgia to secure the quarterback’s commitment, who previously received 30 offers. 

Bourque’s departure leaves a significant hole, as he was the only quarterback in the 2027 class. The remaining trio of commits, offensive linemen Tristan Dare and Louis Esposito, and edge rusher Recarder Kitchen, highlights the sudden void at the most important position.

“Just uncertainty, I’d say,” Bourque said in an interview with Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong. “I want to make sure I’m making the best decision. I’m going to take some visits this spring. I’m not sure where. I think it’s the right thing to do to be decommitted for that.”

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One factor that likely led to Whittingham falling short of retaining Bourque’s commitment was Chip Lindsey’s departure. The Wolverines’ former offensive coordinator was his primary recruiter. 

“He’s developed a bunch of great quarterbacks like Drake Maye, and he’s going to develop Bryce Underwood really well,” Bourque said during his commitment. “I’m looking forward to seeing his offense at Michigan. I think it’ll be impressive. I like Coach Lindsey a lot. He’s awesome.”

Bourque cited ‘uncertainty’ as his reason for leaving. It’s a feeling likely amplified by the departure of his primary recruiter, former OC Chip Lindsey. This instability, combined with a crowded future depth chart, may have made the path to starting in Ann Arbor seem unclear. In that case, depth issues might be concerning for Whittingham’s program. Michigan has signed four-star Tommy Carr and three-star Brady Smigiel for the 2026 class. 

The decommitment of Bourque is the second one this month. Another 2027 quarterback commit, DJ Hunter, parted ways with the Kentucky Wildcats. Meanwhile, does Michigan stand a chance to win back Bourque’s trust? With the Georgia Bulldogs, Penn State Nittany Lions, Virginia Tech Hokies, and others firmly in the hunt, Michigan appears to be fading away from the picture. 

Bourque’s decommitment ruins Michigan’s long-term quarterback plan. Forcing the staff to re-evaluate how they’ll build depth behind Bryce Underwood, they are in for a demanding task ahead.

How Peter Bourque raised expectations for Kyle Whittingham

One thing people consistently sleep on with Underwood is his athleticism. Everyone talks about the arm, but his legs also quietly change the game. Bourque fit that same mold, leading Whittingham to believe he had found Underwood’s successor. 

“His three best traits are arm strength, athleticism, and he is elite at being able to extend plays and make something happen when the natural timing doesn’t work out,” said Bourque’s high school head coach, Jeff Moore. “He has elite arm talent, he has elite athleticism and ability to extend plays and keep his eyes downfield.”

However, the path ahead did not seem clear to Bourque. If Underwood holds down Ann Arbor through 2027, the door swings open for Smigiel, the No. 9 quarterback in the 2026 class. With the loss of Bourque’s commitment, the job just got tougher for Whittingham. 

The Wolverines ended on a firm note within the Top 15 when it came to the 2026 recruiting class. But losing Bourque creates new trouble, as rivals might spin the narrative to suggest instability in the Wolverines’ camp. To quiet the noise, Michigan will need a big recruiting win this spring.