Michigan State is wasting no time building the foundation for its future.
As the Spartans gear up for their first offseason under new head coach Pat Fitzgerald, a wave of early enrollees from the 2026 signing class is set to hit campus this winter. Thirteen incoming freshmen will arrive ahead of schedule, giving them a valuable head start in winter conditioning and spring practices - a critical advantage in today’s college football landscape, especially for a program entering a new era.
This group isn’t just big in number - it’s packed with talent and potential across all three phases of the game. Let’s break it down.
Quarterback Kayd Coffman headlines the class, and anytime a QB gets on campus early, it’s a storyline worth watching. Early reps in the film room and on the practice field could fast-track his development and give him a legit shot to compete down the line.
Even if he doesn’t see the field right away, just being in the building during a coaching transition is huge. He’ll be learning Fitzgerald’s system from day one.
In the trenches, offensive lineman Eli Bickel brings size and upside to a unit that’s always looking to reload. Getting into the strength program early is especially important for linemen, and Bickel will have the chance to start that process months ahead of most of his classmates.
On the other side of the ball, defensive tackle Hudson Aultman is another name to circle. Defensive tackles often take time to develop, but early exposure to college-level strength and conditioning can accelerate that curve.
The Spartans are also adding firepower at the skill positions. Wide receivers Zachary Washington and Rai'Shawn Elmore will get a chance to showcase their speed and route-running in spring ball. With a new offensive staff evaluating talent from scratch, early enrollees at wideout could quickly climb the depth chart with a strong spring.
At tight end, Joey Caudill and Eddie Whiting join the mix. Tight ends in Fitzgerald’s system will likely be asked to do a bit of everything - block, catch, and contribute on special teams - so early reps are invaluable. The spring will give both players a chance to show how versatile they can be.
Defensively, the secondary is getting a serious injection of youth. Cornerback KJ Deriso, along with defensive backs TJ Umenyiora, Brayden Thomas, Jonathan Granby, and safety Eliyjah Caldwell-Hardy, will all be in the building early.
That’s five members of the defensive backfield arriving in time for spring practice - a clear sign that the staff is prioritizing depth and competition on the back end. With the way college offenses spread the field, having a deep, athletic secondary is non-negotiable.
Linebacker Adam Shaw rounds out the group, and he’s another player who could benefit greatly from early exposure. Linebackers have to be the quarterbacks of the defense - they need to read, react, and lead. Getting into the playbook early and adjusting to the speed of the college game in spring ball is a major plus.
All told, this is a strong early-enrollee class that gives Fitzgerald and his staff a solid core to start molding right away. These 13 players won’t just be watching from the sidelines - they’ll be running drills, lifting with the team, and learning what it means to be a Spartan under a new regime.
For a program looking to turn the page and build something sustainable, this kind of early investment matters. The offseason starts now, and these newcomers are already putting in the work.