Michigan State Football Shifts Gears Under Fitzgerald, Targets Top In-State Talent
While Tom Izzo and the Spartans basketball squad continue their annual push through the midseason grind, there’s a quiet but important transformation happening just down the hall - and it’s coming from the football offices.
Pat Fitzgerald is laying the groundwork for a new era in East Lansing, and while it’s not yet spring practice season, the recruiting trail is already heating up. With a fresh coaching staff and a new direction, Michigan State football is making a clear statement: the program is going to prioritize in-state talent, and it’s going to do it with purpose.
A New Recruiting Philosophy
The shift from Jonathan Smith to Fitzgerald isn't just about schemes and staff - it’s about identity. Under Smith, Michigan State’s recruiting leaned more modest. There were occasional four-star pickups, but the program wasn’t consistently chasing the top-tier prospects in its own backyard.
That’s changing now.
Fitzgerald has made it clear that Michigan and the broader Midwest are going to be the foundation of his recruiting strategy. And at the top of that priority list? Dakota Guerrant - the state’s No. 1 prospect and a top-50 national recruit in the 2027 class.
The Guerrant Factor
Guerrant is the kind of player who draws attention from coast to coast. He’s already planning visits to some of the nation’s premier programs this spring. Michigan State wasn’t on the initial list of schools he mentioned, but that doesn’t mean the Spartans are out of the picture.
In fact, Guerrant is still in regular contact with the new staff in East Lansing - especially offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan. And what Sheridan is pitching might raise some eyebrows.
According to Guerrant, Sheridan is selling a pro-style offense that will “look like Bama.”
That’s right - Michigan State is making a play for top-tier talent by drawing comparisons to Alabama’s offense. And while that might sound ambitious, it’s not without basis. Sheridan, after all, served as Alabama’s offensive coordinator, and he’s bringing that experience - and that system - to East Lansing.
Selling the Vision
Let’s be clear: saying your offense will resemble Alabama’s and actually executing like Alabama are two very different things. But in the recruiting game, vision matters. And Sheridan’s resume gives Michigan State some real credibility when pitching that vision to elite prospects.
Guerrant’s interest in Sheridan’s approach is a sign that the message is resonating, even if a visit to campus isn’t on the books just yet. Building those relationships - especially with local stars - is a crucial first step in reestablishing Michigan State as a destination for top-tier talent.
What It Means for the Program
This isn’t just about one player. It’s about a philosophical shift.
Fitzgerald and his staff are signaling that Michigan State is going to compete - not just on Saturdays, but on the recruiting trail. They’re not backing down from blue bloods, and they’re not settling for second-tier talent in their own state.
If Fitzgerald can turn those early conversations into commitments, Michigan State could start rebuilding its roster from the inside out - with homegrown players who see a future in East Lansing.
It’s still early, but the signs are promising. Michigan State is aiming high, and for the first time in a while, they’ve got a plan - and a pitch - that might just turn heads.