Michigan State’s 2027 recruiting class may still be in its early stages, but there are already signs that Pat Fitzgerald is laying the foundation for something solid in East Lansing. With two early commitments-running back Savior Owens and offensive lineman Grant Adloff-the Spartans are beginning to carve out a class that could surprise some folks down the line.
Let’s start with Owens. He was unranked when he first committed, but that didn’t last long.
He’s now slotted as the No. 59 running back in the 2027 class and checks in at No. 728 overall. That may not jump off the page for casual fans, but in recruiting terms, that’s a notable rise-and a sign that Michigan State’s staff saw something before the rankings caught up.
Then came Adloff, a recent addition to the class, and another player who was flying under the radar before his commitment. Like Owens, Adloff earned his first recruiting ranking shortly after pledging to the Spartans, but his debut was even stronger.
He enters as the No. 438 overall prospect in the country and the 27th-ranked interior offensive lineman. He’s also considered the No. 8 player in the state of Michigan.
That’s not just a solid pickup-it’s a statement. Adloff’s ranking suggests he’s not just a developmental project, but a player with real potential to contribute at the Power Four level.
With those two commits, Michigan State’s 2027 class now ranks No. 35 nationally. And if the recent “Pat signal” on social media is any indication, more additions could be coming soon.
What stands out here is Fitzgerald’s early approach. He’s not just chasing stars or playing the rankings game.
He’s identifying talent before the spotlight finds it-guys who may not have the national buzz yet but have the tools to thrive in a high-level college program. That’s a savvy strategy, especially in a recruiting landscape where late bloomers often become the backbone of championship-caliber rosters.
It’s a blueprint that should sound familiar to Spartan fans. Mark Dantonio built his legacy in East Lansing by doing exactly this-finding undervalued prospects in the Midwest and developing them into NFL-caliber players.
Le’Veon Bell, Kirk Cousins, Jack Conklin, Darqueze Dennard-the list goes on. None of those guys came in as five-star recruits, but they left as stars.
Now, it’s far too early to say whether Fitzgerald can replicate that success. Dantonio’s track record speaks for itself, and there’s a long road ahead for this new regime.
But the early returns are promising. Owens and Adloff are already showing that Michigan State’s staff has an eye for under-the-radar talent that can rise quickly once given the spotlight.
If this is how Fitzgerald is going to build-by trusting his evaluations, getting in early on overlooked talent, and betting on development-then Michigan State fans have reason to be optimistic. It’s not flashy, but it’s the kind of recruiting approach that can pay off in a big way down the line.
And with the 2027 class just getting started, the Spartans may only be scratching the surface.