Michigan State Football’s New Era Begins with a Boost in Recruiting
Change is in the air in East Lansing. With Pat Fitzgerald now at the helm, Michigan State football is stepping into a new chapter - and it’s arriving with more than just a fresh face on the sidelines. As the early signing period kicks off, the Spartans are bringing in one of the nation’s top 50 recruiting classes, a clear sign that the program is looking to reload, not rebuild.
Michigan State enters Wednesday with 19 verbal commitments for the 2026 class, including five four-star prospects. That haul currently ranks No. 39 nationally, according to the 247Sports composite - a notable jump from last year’s No. 57 class. For a team navigating a coaching transition and the inevitable roster shakeups that come with it, this is a strong early statement.
Navigating Turnover, Building Momentum
The Spartans are already seeing some roster attrition in the wake of Jonathan Smith’s departure, with key players like starting running back Makhi Frazier and standout wide receiver Nick Marsh entering the transfer portal. That kind of turnover isn’t unexpected during a coaching change, but it does underscore the importance of this incoming class.
And so far, the new staff is holding serve.
Four-star quarterback Kayd Coffman out of East Kentwood is expected to sign with the Spartans on Wednesday, giving MSU a potential cornerstone under center for the future. Coffman’s commitment is a strong early win for Fitzgerald and his staff - a sign that the coaching change hasn’t scared off top-end talent.
Another high-upside addition is wide receiver Samson Gash, a local product from Novi Detroit Catholic Central who just capped off a stellar senior year by winning the MHSAA Division 1 state title in track. Gash has confirmed he won’t be signing this week, but his commitment still represents a big in-state recruiting victory.
A Closer Look at the 2026 Class
Here’s a breakdown of Michigan State’s 19 commits entering the early signing period:
- Collin Campbell, OT, 4 stars - Gilbert, Arizona
- Kayd Coffman, QB, 4 stars - Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Samson Gash, WR, 4 stars - Novi, Michigan
- Joey Caudill, TE, 4 stars - Mansfield, Ohio
- Eli Bickel, OT, 4 stars - North Branch, Michigan
- Chris Addison, EDGE, 3 stars - Winnsboro, Louisiana
- Fameitau Siale, EDGE, 3 stars - Seattle, Washington
- Zachary Washington, WR, 3 stars - Wheaton, Illinois
- Eddie Whiting, TE, 3 stars - Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Brayden Thomas, S, 3 stars - Lakewood, Ohio
- Adam Shaw, LB, 3 stars - Hillsdale, New Jersey
- KJ Deriso, CB, 3 stars - Fayetteville, Georgia
- Tristan Comer, OT, 3 stars - Freeland, Michigan
- Eliyjah Caldwell-Hardy, S, 3 stars - Jacksonville, Florida
- Cory House, EDGE, 3 stars - Memphis, Tennessee
- TJ Umenyiora, CB, 3 stars - Roswell, Georgia
- Hudson Aultman, DL, 3 stars - Delaware, Ohio
- Jeremiah Favorite, CB, 3 stars - Boiling Springs, South Carolina
- Rai’shawn Elmore, WR, 3 stars - Indian Trail, North Carolina
This group brings a healthy mix of size, speed, and versatility - especially in the trenches and on the edges. With three offensive tackles, three edge rushers, and a pair of tight ends, the Spartans are clearly trying to re-establish physicality on both sides of the ball. That’s a hallmark of Fitzgerald’s coaching DNA, and it’s already showing up in the early recruiting returns.
Where MSU Stands Nationally
Michigan State’s class currently sits among the top 50 in the country, alongside programs like Louisville, Stanford, and Wake Forest. The top of the rankings features the usual suspects - USC, Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas - but MSU cracking the top 40 is a promising sign, especially given the circumstances.
This class might not be loaded with five-star flash, but it’s deep, balanced, and already showing signs of staying intact through a coaching change. That kind of buy-in from recruits matters - and it gives Fitzgerald a solid foundation as he begins building his version of Spartan football.
The early signing period is just the first checkpoint. But so far, Michigan State is showing it's ready to compete on the trail, even while navigating transition.
The real work begins now - developing this group, filling out the roster, and turning recruiting wins into on-field results. But for now, the arrow is pointing up in East Lansing.