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Michigan football battling Penn State to land defensive line prospect; commitment date set

Michigan will have to fend off the in-state team to land him.
Trent Knoop|
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Michigan Wolverines

2026 defensive lineman Alexander Haskell cut Duke from his top list and will announce his commitment on May 9. He is down to Michigan, Penn State, and Syracuse. The Philadelphia (PA) St. Joseph's Prep appears to be a Wolverine lean, but the in-state Nittany Lions are trying to keep the talented kid home.

There is one Crystal Ball posted and it's in favor of Michigan to land Haskell. The '26 prospect isn't highly rated, he is a three-star and the 753rd-ranked player in the country, per the Composite. But the 6-foot-4, 265-pound lineman has a respectable offer sheet. Outside of his final three, Haskell holds offers from Miami, Michigan State, Ohio State, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, among others.

The Wolverines usually like to get four or five defensive linemen each cycle and Michigan has one edge rusher currently committed. Tariq Boney recently pledged to the Wolverines, but Michigan will need more and especially in the interior. The Wolverines are set to lose Rayshaun Benny, Damon Payne Jr., and Tre Williams after this season, so depth will be important for Michigan moving forward.

Last cycle, Michigan signed five edge or interior linemen from the 2025 class.

- Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI -

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Trent Knoop
TRENT KNOOP

Trent began writing and covering Michigan athletics back in 2020. He became a credentialed member of the media in 2021. Trent began writing with Sports Illustrated in 2023 and became the Managing Editor for Michigan Wolverines On SI during the 2025 football season. Trent also serves as the Publisher of Baylor Bears on SI. His other bylines have appeared on Maryland on SI, Wisconsin on SI, and across the USA TODAY Sports network. Trent’s love of sports and being able to tell stories to fans is what made him get into writing.

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