Four-Star QB Kamden Lopati Pulls Plug on Illinois Commitment, and the 2027 Recruiting War Just Got Spicy

This is the kind of recruiting domino you feel coming from a mile away. Four-star quarterback Kamden Lopati, ESPN's No. 2-ranked passer in the 2027 cycle, just decommitted from Illinois on Monday after committing back in July 2025. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound signal caller from Salt Lake City was supposed to be the anchor of the Illini's quarterback class. Now? He's shopping around, and the best programs in the country are circling.

The Spring Visit Tour Changes Everything

Lopati had been locked in with Illinois, sitting pretty as the program's top pledge heading into spring. Then came March and early April, and suddenly he's on unofficial visits all over the country. Michigan. Notre Dame. Duke. Cal. He even canceled a trip back to Illinois earlier this month before officially pulling the trigger on his decommitment.

You can feel the moment shifting in his own words from last month: "I just want to make sure my commitment's the right fit. 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." Translation: he's keeping his options open, and that's deadly for Illinois.

Michigan and Notre Dame Are the Favorites Now

According to sources, Michigan and Notre Dame are the leading contenders for Lopati's signature. Michigan's head coach Kyle Whittingham and offensive coordinator Jason Beck built a strong relationship with him early, even back when they were recruiting him at Utah. They just hosted him on a multiday visit in Ann Arbor. As for Notre Dame, Lopati called it a "dream school" after visiting in late March. That language matters in recruiting.

Georgia has also recently jumped into the mix, still hunting multiple quarterbacks in the 2027 class. But right now, the Wolverines and the Fighting Irish are the teams to beat.

Lopati is the No. 50 overall recruit in the SC Next Junior 300, which tells you everything about his ceiling. The 2027 quarterback market is heating up fast: four QBs have already committed since March 31, and four-star Andre Adams is announcing Tuesday. The next few weeks are going to be wild.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.