Michigan football took a hit in its recruiting efforts when four-star edge rusher Jermaine Kinsler, a key defensive target, announced on Thursday that he would be committing to Texas A&M.
The standout from Bergen Catholic (NJ) had been a priority for Michigan, especially following a recent visit to Ann Arbor that was said to have gone well. Standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing 270 pounds, Kinsler is ranked as the top player in New Jersey, the No. 22 edge rusher in the 2026 class, and a top-200 recruit nationally according to 247Sports Composite rankings.
While losing a player of Kinsler’s caliber stings, he made it clear that Texas A&M had the upper hand. “I like what Coach Elko is doing, and he’s a defensive-minded coach,” Kinsler shared with On3. “That definitely led me in that direction.”
With Kinsler on board, Texas A&M’s 2026 recruiting class now has nine commits, with Kinsler ranking as the third-highest prospect. This marks another significant win for head coach Mike Elko, who is building strong momentum in national recruiting.
For Michigan, this is a setback, but the recruiting effort isn’t over. The Wolverines already have two important four-star commitments in their 2026 class—cornerback Brody Jennings (Jacksonville, FL) and wide receiver Jaylen Pile (Dallas, TX). Still, Sherrone Moore and his staff will need to reassess and reload, especially after their big victory in landing five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood for the 2025 class.
While losing a top pass rusher isn’t ideal, recruiting battles like this are part of the process. Michigan remains in the hunt for elite defensive talent, but with the 2026 cycle heating up, the Wolverines will need to stay focused.
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