Kayd Coffman isn’t just staying loyal-he’s doubling down.
The four-star quarterback out of East Kentwood, fresh off leading his team to the Michigan Division 1 state semifinals, announced Monday that he’s sticking with his commitment to Michigan State football. Despite the whirlwind in East Lansing-including a coaching change just 24 hours earlier-Coffman made it clear: he’s still all in.
“Thank you Coach Smith and the staff for believing in me,” Coffman posted on social media. “With that being said I will be signing this Wednesday.
Go Green! #SD4L”
That’s a big win for MSU, especially in a recruiting landscape where uncertainty often leads to decommitments. Coffman is ranked as the No. 5 player in Michigan for the 2026 class, the No. 25 quarterback nationally, and sits at No. 364 overall, according to 247Sports' composite rankings. He’s the kind of prospect who can be a foundational piece for a program looking to reset.
And reset they must. Michigan State is coming off a 4-8 season that ended with the firing of head coach Jonathan Smith on Sunday.
Just a day later, the Spartans moved fast to hire former Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald. It’s a bold move, and one that signals the program’s urgency to stabilize and rebuild.
Coffman’s commitment stands out even more considering the timing. The early signing period opens Wednesday, and with coaching changes often come second thoughts. But Coffman is showing the kind of leadership and confidence you want in a quarterback-both on and off the field.
He certainly backed it up on the field this fall. Coffman led East Kentwood to a 10-3 record and their first district title since 2014.
His performance against Howell in the district final was electric: 16-of-22 passing for 372 yards and five touchdowns, plus 96 rushing yards on nine carries. That’s not just efficient quarterbacking-it’s game-changing playmaking.
East Kentwood’s playoff run ended in the state semifinals with a tough loss to eventual champion Novi Detroit Catholic Central, 46-6. But Coffman’s body of work throughout the season left no doubt about his talent or his impact.
Meanwhile, another high-profile MSU commit, Samson Gash-a standout receiver and track star from Catholic Central-said Sunday night he won’t be signing this week. Gash is ranked just behind Coffman as the No. 6 player in the state. His decision to wait adds a wrinkle to MSU’s recruiting picture, especially with a new coaching staff coming in.
Still, the Spartans have secured commitments from multiple top in-state prospects, including North Branch offensive tackle Eli Bickel. Bickel, a four-star recruit himself, is ranked No. 7 in Michigan’s 2026 class. Keeping that local talent pipeline flowing will be a major priority for Fitzgerald and his staff as they begin to reshape the program.
For now, Coffman’s decision to stay locked in gives Michigan State a much-needed win. In a season full of transition, it’s a clear sign that the Spartans still have some serious pull-and a quarterback who’s ready to lead the next chapter.