Four-Star QB Kamden Lopati Decommits From Illinois: Michigan and Notre Dame Now in the Hunt
The 2027 quarterback recruiting market just got a whole lot more interesting. Kamden Lopati, ESPN's No. 2-ranked quarterback in the 2027 class and the No. 50 overall recruit in the SC Next Junior 300, has decommitted from Illinois, sources told ESPN on Monday. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound passer from Salt Lake City is back on the market, and some big programs are already circling.
From Illinois Priority to Looking Around
Lopati initially committed to the Illini back in July 2025 and had been the top-ranked pledge in Illinois' 2027 class. But something changed this spring. The four-star passer went on a recruiting tour, completing unofficial visits to Michigan, Notre Dame, Duke, and Cal between March and early April. He even canceled a previously scheduled trip to Illinois earlier this month before officially pulling his pledge Monday.
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👉 Claim Your Free $10 at Kalshi"I just want to make sure my commitment's the right fit," Lopati told ESPN last month before his spring visit tour kicked off. "Illinois knows how I feel about them, and I know I'm a priority for them. They've always made me feel that way. But I want to be open-minded and make sure I've made the right decision."
Michigan and Notre Dame Leading the Chase
Michigan and Notre Dame are now the leading contenders for Lopati's signature, sources told ESPN. The Wolverines have a real connection here. Head coach Kyle Whittingham and offensive coordinator Jason Beck built a close relationship with Lopati early in his process while he was at Utah, and they recently hosted him on a multiday visit in Ann Arbor. When Lopati visited Notre Dame in late March, he described the school as a "dream school" in conversations with ESPN. Georgia has also recently entered the mix, still pursuing multiple quarterbacks in the 2027 class.
Lopati's decommitment is part of a larger wave of movement in the 2027 QB market this spring. Four passers in the SC Next Junior 300 have already found landing spots since March 31: Israel Abrams headed to Miami, Davin Davidson to Florida, Blake Roskopf to Washington, and Luke Babin to Baylor. Four-star quarterback Andre Adams is set to announce his decision Tuesday, and top-ranked quarterback Elijah Haven, ESPN's No. 6 overall prospect, is expected to choose between Alabama, Auburn, and Georgia on April 25.
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