Michigan, Sherrone Moore lands 4-star safety Kainoa Winston

Sharon Moore’s inaugural recruiting class at Michigan earned its highest-ranked commit Friday when four-star safety Kainoa Winston, No. 42 in the 2025 ESPN 300, announced his commitment to the Wolverines.

Winston, who plays for Washington, D.C., power Gonzaga College High School, took an official visit to Ann Arbor late last month and chose Michigan over Penn State, Oregon and North Carolina. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound defensive back is the No. 3 safety in the 2025 class.

For the Wolverines, Winston’s commitment marks a recruiting win over conference rival Penn State, where Winston’s cousin, safety Kevin Winston Jr., made 13 starts in the Nittany Lions’ secondary last fall. Kainoa Winston is Michigan’s highest-ranked commit since Wolverines defensive end Derrick Moore (No. 19) in the 2022 class, according to ESPN’s rankings.

Winston joins defensive tackle Jaylen Williams (No. 24 DT) as Michigan’s second commitment of the week and marks the latest boost in Moore’s first recruiting career in charge of the Wolverines.

Along with Winston, Michigan has four ESPN 300 prospects committed in the 2025 class, including defensive tackle Nathaniel Marshall (No. 78 in the ESPN 300) and quarterback Carter Smith, the No. 14 pocket passer this cycle. Offensive tackle Avery Gatch (No. 296) rounds out the group of top 300 recruits currently headed to Ann Arbor in 2025.

Other high-profile commitments could follow next month, including expected visits from safety Jordan Young (No. 33), offensive tackle Andrew Babalola (No. 44), outside linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng (No. 73) and Jordan Davison. (No. 88). The Wolverines are in the running for Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) offensive linemen SJ Alofituli and Douglas Utu, the Nos. 10 and 11 overall prospects in the ESPN 300.

After a slow start, the 38-year-old Moore is picking up steam on the recruiting trail, with Winston’s addition the latest indicator of upward movement for Michigan in 2025.