Michigan State has added another major piece to its 2027 class, and this one brings serious defensive upside.
Four-star center Jaydn Jenkins announced Wednesday evening on social media that he has committed to the Spartans, giving MSU its second pledge in as many weeks after five-star point guard Antonio Pemberton. Jenkins is coming out of Archbishop Wood High School in Warminster, Pa., where he’s emerged as the top prospect in Pennsylvania.
On the recruiting rankings side, Jenkins sits 60th overall in the 247Sports Composite and checks in as the No. 8 center in the class of 2027. Michigan State got into the mix early, offering him on June 28, but the Spartans had to fend off plenty of competition along the way.
Jenkins took official visits to Xavier, Georgetown, Pitt and Ohio State, while a planned trip to N.C. State was canceled.
His offer list also included Georgia, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech, Penn State, West Virginia, Providence, Villanova and Seton Hall.
One detail that may have helped MSU: Jenkins’ official visit lined up with the program’s annual “Grind Week” in early September. Pemberton was on campus then, too, and the Spartans have now gone 2-for-2 on commitments from players who visited during that stretch.
As for what Jenkins brings, the appeal is obvious. He’s not the biggest center in the world at 6-foot-10, especially next to Anton Bonke at 7-2 and Ethan Taylor at 7-1, but he has length that jumps off the page. Adam Finkelstein of 247Sports has measured Jenkins’ wingspan at 7-foot-4, which gives Michigan State a real weapon around the rim.
That kind of reach makes him a natural fit as a shot-blocker and a lob target, and both traits matter in East Lansing. MSU could use a boost in rim protection this season, and Tom Izzo’s centers have to be able to finish above the rim. Jenkins isn’t a polished scorer yet and doesn’t project as an outside shooting threat, but he’s another strong addition for the Spartans.
This could wind up being the final commitment in Michigan State’s 2027 class, though Izzo taking a third player would not be a shock. The Spartans are in a strange spot with no obvious expiring eligibility issues, aside from some uncertainty around whether Anton Bonke has another year, while several current players could still play their way into the NBA or other pro opportunities this season.
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