Michigan jumps into Top 15 on 2025 national team recruiting rankings

Michigan moved to No. 13 overall on the 2025 On3 Industry National Team Recruiting Rankings following the verbal commitment of Top 100 Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga College defensive back Kainoa Winston on Friday.

At 5-foot-10.5, 184 pounds, Winston is listed as the No. 95 overall prospect and No. 10 safety in the country, according to On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four primary recruiting media services. Winston is also the No. 1 player in Washington D.C.

Winston took his official visit to Michigan the first weekend of June. His first trip to Ann Arbor occurred in mid-April during spring camp.

“I really like the people, the culture and the school,” Winston previously told The Wolverine. “Ann Arbor is chill and laid back. I just like it there.”

New Michigan defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan led the way in landing Winston.

“Coach Morgan is really chill,” Winston said. “We went over situational football — different downs and distances and times in the game. We talked about what they would call and do. He gave me tips and tricks. We talked a lot of football. He hung out with me and my parents for different meals and events. It was good getting to spend more time with him. He’s like a mentor. He reminds me of myself — a lot of people at Michigan do. He’s not overtalkative. He chooses his words wisely. He’s a mentor. He talked to me about his kids and how he coaches and teaches his players.”

Michigan 2025 Recruiting Class

Following Winston commitment, the overall 2025 recruiting ranking for Michigan (90.217) sits higher than the likes of Tennessee, Ole Miss, Miami, Florida State, Missouri, and TCU, among others.

Rounding out Michigan’s 2025 recruiting class are Top 100 Oak Park (Ill.) Fenwick EDGE Nate Marshall, On300 Ft. Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot quarterback Carter Smith, four-star Birmingham (Mich.) Groves offensive lineman Avery Gach, four-star Palatine (Ill.) High EDGE Jaylen Williams, four-star Howell (Mich.) High defensive lineman Bobby Kanka, and three-star Alcoa (Tenn.) High tight end Eli Owens. 

Dozens of 2025 top targets remain on Michigan’s board, such as five-star Overland Park (Kans.) Blue offensive tackle Andrew Babalola, Top 100 Monroe (N.C.) High safety Jordan Young, Top 100 Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman offensive tackle Douglas Utu, Top 100 Center Valley (Pa.) Southern Lehigh tight end Andrew Olesh, Top 100 Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei running back Jordon Davison, Top 100 Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic wide receiver Quincy Porter, Top 100 Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, and four-star Philadelphia (Pa.) St. Joseph Prep defensive lineman Maxwell Roy.

2025 Big Ten Recruiting Rankings

Michigan is currently No. 4 in the Big Ten Conference and trails Ohio State, USC, and Oregon. All 18 programs currently possess at least seven verbal commits this cycle.

1. Ohio State
2. USC
3. Oregon
4. Michigan
5. Penn State
6. Rutgers
7. Wisconsin
8. Washington
9. UCLA
10. Nebraska
11. Minnesota
12. Iowa
13. Indiana
14. Illinois
15. Michigan State
16. Northwestern
17. Maryland
18. Purdue