Michigan Offers '27 TE Christian Hanshaw, Whose Recruitment is Really Heating Up

Ann Arbor—Michigan’s new coaching staff has yet to land a 2027 commitment, but the Wolverines moved a step closer on Tuesday by extending an official offer to American Fork (Utah) tight end Christian Hanshaw.

The 6-foot-5 prospect, currently unranked by the major recruiting services, has seen his profile surge this winter after picking up invitations from Washington, Stanford, Florida, Texas A&M, Oregon, Tennessee, USC and UCLA within the past month. Michigan joined that list following a conversation between Hanshaw and tight ends coach Freddie Whittingham.

“It means a lot. There are very few schools like Michigan and it’s a privilege when they show interest,” Hanshaw told Michigan Wolverines on SI. “I’ve known Fred Whittingham for over two years now. It’s awesome to see them on the biggest stage now, and I’m privileged enough to be able to keep growing my relationship with the staff.”

Hanshaw’s familiarity with Ann Arbor predates the offer. He camped at Michigan last June and was tabbed the top tight end in attendance. Freddie Whittingham, then at Utah, extended a scholarship after watching Hanshaw work in person. When Kyle Whittingham brought his staff to Michigan last month, the relationship crossed conference lines.

The Utah native believes his home state is undervalued nationally. “I think there are definitely more prospects in certain states, but Utah is no sleeper either,” he said. “I have received heavy recruitment from some of the top programs in the modern college football era without a ranking and it will continue independent of a star ranking.”

Bloodlines bolster the résumé. Father Tim Hanshaw played tight end at BYU, was a fourth-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 1995 and spent four seasons in the NFL. Older brother Bentley suited up at Liberty and later accepted a rookie invitation from the 49ers.

On the field, Christian Hanshaw profiles as a classic Michigan Y-tight end. He finished his junior season with 30 receptions for 399 yards, flashing the physicality to finish in the run game and the length to create mismatches down the seam.

“I believe I am a true Y. I have the ability to dominate in the C gap and have the size and length to create a mismatch outside the box,” he said. “I am far from perfect and plan on getting better every day.”

With offers now spanning the Pac-12, Big Ten, SEC and Big 12, Hanshaw’s recruitment is poised to remain one of the most closely watched storylines of the 2027 cycle—star ranking or not.