Michigan State’s 35-7 win over Eastern Michigan did more than give the Spartans a clean result on the field. It also opened the door for one of the program’s first real recruiting weekends of the season, and a few of the visitors on hand made the day a notable one in East Lansing.
The biggest name in attendance was Gideon Gash, a high 4-star prospect in the 2027 class who sits 61st overall in the Rivals Industry Rankings and is the second-ranked 2027 player from Michigan. Gash has already verbally committed to Texas Tech since June, which makes his appearance at Spartan Stadium especially interesting.
Oklahoma is still reportedly involved, too, and if Michigan State is going to pull him away from the Red Raiders, it will probably take a major NIL push. If the Spartans somehow land him, he would become their highest-rated high school recruit since Malik McDowell in 2014, according to 247Sports.
MSU also has a built-in edge in that recruitment: Gash’s two older brothers are already in the program. Redshirt junior safety Caleb Gash is a steady special teams contributor, while true freshman Samson Gash made his college debut Saturday with Gideon watching. Samson was a big addition in his own right, with Michigan State beating out Penn State, Georgia, and West Virginia late in the process.
Saturday also brought a strong showing from the Spartans’ 2027 commits. Based on player social media activity and other reports, at least six members of that class were on campus: quarterback Eli Stumpf, linebacker Matthew Brady, offensive tackle Jack Carlson, safety/athlete Don Spillers III, EDGE Jack Schuler, and tight end Ryan Pankey.
That kind of visit matters even when there’s no immediate drama around the class. There have been no major signs of a decommitment or flip lately, but getting committed players back on campus can reinforce the message, especially with the win giving the day a boost. Those trips can help keep recruits locked in as December’s early signing period gets closer.
At the same time, Michigan State’s staff is already looking ahead. The 2027 class is close to finished, and the focus has started shifting toward 2028. So far, the Spartans have been selective, with 247Sports listing only 33 offers in that class.
Two of the more notable 2028 targets on campus were Harper Woods wide receiver/tight end AJ Henley and defensive lineman Cash Patrick. Henley is ranked 667th overall in the Rivals Industry Rankings and already holds offers from Michigan, Rutgers, Iowa State, and Minnesota. Patrick is still unranked, but his offer sheet already includes Purdue, Pitt, Virginia Tech, Boston College, and Syracuse.
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Eli Coenen Is About To Face Michigan States First Real Test
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Now comes the part that should tell everyone a lot more about just how real this start is. Coenen and Michigan State are about to run into a stiffer challenge against Notre Dames offensive line, a matchup that will demand the same disruption he has brought so far while offering a much better measuring stick for where the Spartans defense truly stands. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State Suddenly Has A Bigger Jordan Hall Concern
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Michigan State handled the gap just fine in a 35-7 victory, with other linebackers picking up the slack, but Halls absence still leaves a question going forward. For a defense trying to settle in, the bigger issue now is whether one of its key linebackers can get back on the field quickly without the injury lingering into the weeks ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State May Have Found A Passing Weapon Defenses Must Respect
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Savourys 46-yard catch-and-run against Eastern Michigan offered a glimpse of why the Spartans keep looking his way. Quarterback Alessio Milivojevic is beginning to trust him as a real target in the passing game, and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan has shown plenty of confidence in making Savoury a primary option as the season gets rolling. [Read more 🡒]