Michigan State head coach Pat Fitzgerald is wasting no time making his recruiting priorities crystal clear. Over the past several days, he’s been back on the trail across his home turf, doubling down on a message he’s been preaching since day one in East Lansing: keep Michigan’s best talent in Michigan.
That’s not just coach-speak, either - Fitzgerald’s actions are backing up the philosophy. His approach has been both focused and intentional, starting with the state’s top high school programs before expanding the search beyond state lines. It’s a strategy that’s as much about building relationships as it is about building a roster.
Earlier today, Fitzgerald made a stop at Brother Rice High School - a program with a long-standing reputation for producing elite-level talent. It’s the kind of place that’s always on the radar for top college recruiters, and Fitzgerald’s presence there signals just how serious he is about locking down the state’s pipeline.
While at Brother Rice, Fitzgerald connected with Tyler Trusel, a name that’s already starting to buzz in recruiting circles. Trusel, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound sophomore, is a three-star prospect in the 2028 class and currently sits at No. 175 nationally in the 247Sports Composite Rankings. At his size and with his early national ranking, Trusel’s the kind of player who could be a foundational piece in any future class.
For Michigan State, these kinds of visits are about more than just checking boxes - they’re about establishing trust early and building momentum with players who could shape the Spartans’ future. And for Fitzgerald, it’s another step in reinforcing the identity he wants for the program: tough, homegrown, and built from the inside out.