Wolverine Digest

Just In: Michigan Football misses out on top-ranked player from NJ to SEC school

Trent Knoop|
Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

In a surprising turn of events, Michigan football lost out on elite four-star Edge rusher, Jermaine Kinsler, to Texas A&M on Thursday morning. The Oradell (NJ) Bergen Catholic product committed to the Aggies over Michigan and others. Kinsler was recently in Ann Arbor for a visit and by all accounts it was a good visit.

Per the Composite, Kinsler is the 170th-ranked player in the 2026 class. He is the 22nd-ranked Edge rusher and the top-ranked player in NJ.

RELATED: No. 1 RB in 2026 sets visit date with Michigan football

Kinsler told On3 it was the connection he has to the coaching staff and what Mike Elko is building at Texas A&M.

“I like what Coach Elko is doing and he’s a defensive-minded coach,” Kinsler said. “That definitely led me in that direction.”

According to On3's Recruiting Prediction Machine, Michigan had a great shot at landing the talented defensive player. The Wolverines were right in line with both Ohio State and Penn State with a 12% chance of landing him. The Aggies had just a 5% chance of landing him.

Michigan currently has just two commitments in the 2026 cycle. Four-star cornerback Brody Jennings and wide receiver Jaylen Pile are the two and Sherrone Moore is hoping for more commitments soon.

Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI -

More Michigan News:

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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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