The winds of change are blowing through East Lansing, and with them comes the expected roster reshuffling that follows any major coaching hire. Michigan State’s recent transition has already triggered movement in the recruiting ranks, with both departures and renewed commitments shaping the early story of the Spartans’ 2026 class.
Two names have already hit the portal: wide receiver Nick Marsh and defensive lineman Makhi Frazier. Both were seen as key pieces of the future, and their exits underscore the kind of uncertainty that naturally accompanies a coaching change. But while the Spartans are taking some hits, there are also signs of stability-and even opportunity-amid the chaos.
Several recruits have gone public with their intent to sign with Michigan State during the early signing period, signaling their belief in the program’s direction under new leadership. Others, however, are pressing pause.
One of those is Samson Gash, who announced he’ll hold off on signing until February. That decision gives other programs a chance to make their pitch, but it also opens the door for new head coach Pat Fitzgerald to re-recruit him and keep him in the fold.
Not every recruit is waiting around, though. Jordan Vann, a three-star safety who had been committed to Michigan State since June, made a decisive move on Monday night. He flipped his commitment to Louisville, marking the first decommitment from the 2026 class in the wake of Fitzgerald’s hiring.
Vann’s departure is a notable one. At 6'1", 200 pounds, he brought a blend of size and athleticism that made him one of the more intriguing defensive prospects in Michigan State’s class. Now, he’ll take his talents to the ACC, where he’ll suit up for Jeff Brohm and the Cardinals.
As of Monday evening, Michigan State’s 2026 class dropped a few spots in the national rankings, sitting at No. 37.
That’s a slight dip from where it stood just a few weeks ago, but it’s not an insurmountable slide. Fitzgerald, who will be officially introduced as the Spartans’ head coach on Tuesday, now has a window to stabilize the class-and potentially build on the foundation that former coach Jonathan Smith had started.
Before the recent decommitments of Tyren Wortham and Braylon Hodge, Michigan State’s class was tracking inside the top 30 nationally. Getting back there won’t be easy, especially with Fitzgerald stepping back into the college game after a two-year hiatus. But it’s not out of reach, particularly if he can flip a few key targets or re-secure some wavering commitments.
Fitzgerald is stepping into a different recruiting landscape than the one he knew at Northwestern. The expectations in East Lansing are higher, the resources more abundant, and the pressure to win-both on the field and on the recruiting trail-is immediate.
But if there’s one thing Fitzgerald has never shied away from, it’s the grind. He built a reputation as a tireless worker and a program-builder, and he’ll need every bit of that energy to navigate the next 48 hours.
Tuesday marks his formal introduction to the Michigan State community. Wednesday, he’ll be tasked with signing his first class as the Spartans’ head coach. It’s a quick turnaround, but also a critical moment-one that could set the tone for his tenure in East Lansing.