Wolverine Digest

Michigan football misses out on '26 defensive prospect to Big Ten rival

The Wolverines missed out on the defensive tackle.
Trent Knoop|
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Michigan WolverinesPenn State Nittany Lions

Back in the middle of April, there was a Crystal Ball placed in favor of Michigan football to land three-star defensive tackle Alexander Haskell. But that was short lived. After Haskell cut his list to Michigan, Syracuse, and Penn State, the CB that was placed switched to Penn State -- which likely meant the Nittany Lions were the likely destination.

On Saturday, Haskell made it official and committed to Penn State over both Michigan and Syracuse. The Philadelphia (PA) native is ranked as the 760th-best player in the 2026 class and the No. 76 defensive lineman.

Speaking with 247Sports after his commitment, Haskell said it was his relationship with defensive line coach Deion Barnes that made him pick the Nittany Lions over the other two schools.

"I chose to go to Penn State overall because coach Deion was the first coach to say he truly believed in my ability in march of 2023, and I feel like that moment really carried with me up until now," Haskell said. "Also I've always wanted to put on for my home city and state and this gives me the ability to do that."

Michigan got in his recruitment later than PSU. The Wolverines got into the recruitment this past fall, while Penn State was the second team to offer Haskell. With Michigan missing out on Haskell, the Wolverines will have to pivot to other defensive line prospects. The Wolverines have edge rusher Tariq Boney committed and five-star edge rusher Carter Meadows listed Michigan in his final four.

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

More Michigan News:

Michigan football makes final 4 for elite 5-star recruit

Where 247Sports ranks Michigan football QB Bryce Underwood among the rest of the Big Ten starting QBs

Prominent analyst gives the Minnesota Vikings zero chance with J.J. McCarthy as the starting QB

For additional coverage of University of Michigan athletics:

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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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