Michigan State’s stumble into the fall hasn’t scared off the kind of recruits Pat Fitzgerald needs to keep the rebuild moving.
Even with the Spartans sitting at 2-4 and dragging a four-game losing streak into their matchup with Northwestern, Fitzgerald is set to host his strongest group of visitors yet. The schedule comes after a 2-0 start built on a pair of MAC wins, then a stretch that included losses to Notre Dame and Nebraska, plus the kind of defeats that sting more deeply: a four-touchdown loss to Wisconsin and an overtime loss to Illinois.
That rough patch hasn’t dulled the interest from prospects, and this weekend’s visitor list makes that clear.
Five four-stars and a high-priority three-star top the group, with the spotlight on the 2028 class. Fitzgerald is close to finishing up the 2027 class, but the caliber of names coming in now suggests recruits are still buying into where the program is headed.
The biggest name is Asa Burch, who is ranked No. 86 overall in the 2028 class and No. 12 among edge rushers. He’s also Ohio’s No. 4 prospect, though he does hold a crystal ball on 247Sports for the team down the road.
The rest of the weekend slate is loaded, too:
- Kajus Muralis (2028) - No. 286 overall, No. 27 OT
- Cartae Ligon (2028) - No. 140 overall, No. 11 RB
- Allen Kennett (2028) - No. 180 overall, No. 14 LB
- Jayden Stephens (2028) - No. 525 overall, No. 36 ATH
- Austin Phillips (2029) - No. 63 overall, No. 5 LB
For a team that’s 2-4 and missing about a dozen players for what’s being framed as a must-win home game against Northwestern, that’s a notable group to bring to campus. It’s the kind of weekend that says the Fitzgerald era still has plenty of pull.
If Tom Izzo believes, we should all believe.
Longer term, though, the real test for Fitzgerald won’t just be a strong visitor list. It’ll be what happens with the 2027 transfer portal class.
There’s been a lot of quick judgment around a new head coach trying to rebuild, but the source of Michigan State’s problems goes beyond Fitzgerald alone. He has said he hasn’t coached well enough, and the record reflects that, but injuries, coaching mistakes, and major personnel issues have all played a part. The previous regime, as the reporting notes, left him with a cupboard that wasn’t stocked enough, and he’s been trying to patch things together.
That’s why the next portal cycle matters so much. Athletic director Dan Bartholomae has promised support through competitive NIL funds, with the goal of being in the top third of the conference in roster spending. That backing is expected to show up right away in the portal.
Fitzgerald did bring in a solid group this past offseason - Cam Edwards, Trent Fraley, Tre Bell, Charles Brantley, Kenny Soares Jr., Dion Crawford, Devin Vaught, and Eli Coenen among them - but the next haul has to be even better.
For now, the recruiting traffic is the encouraging part. The next step is turning that interest into commitments, and eventually into wins.
In Other News...
Michigan State Is Sending A Clear Message About Pat Fitzgerald's Fire
Michigan States recent trip to Illinois had no shortage of frustration, and Pat Fitzgerald showed just how much the moment got under his skin after a disputed offsides call went against his team. The Spartans head coach reacted with a middle finger gesture toward officials, a flash of emotion that quickly became part of the postgame conversation before Fitzgerald later apologized for it at a press conference.
Even with the apology, Michigan State is making it clear it does not see the incident as something that defines Fitzgeralds approach. Athletic director Dan Bartholomae publicly backed the coachs passion and enthusiasm, saying he appreciated the energy Fitzgerald brings to the program. For a team looking to channel intensity in the right direction, that kind of support suggests the Spartans would rather focus on the fire than dwell on the flare-up. [Read more 🡒]
Tom Izzo Sends Michigan State Football A Message Fans Needed
A public vote of confidence from Tom Izzo carries real weight in East Lansing, and the longtime Michigan State basketball coach made sure the football program got one after a bruising stretch. Speaking at a press conference, Izzo backed Pat Fitzgerald and the Spartans direction, offering the kind of steady support that resonates with fans who have been looking for a reason to stay patient.
Izzos message mattered because it came after a close overtime loss, the sort of result that can leave a fan base frustrated and searching for bigger answers. By urging support for the football team and its coach, he tried to shift the conversation back toward belief and continuity, a familiar move from a program figure who understands how quickly moods can swing when the results are tight and the questions start piling up. [Read more 🡒]
Tom Izzo May Have A New Michigan State Center To Trust
Freshman center Ethan Taylor has already given Tom Izzo something to chew on early this season, and that matters in East Lansing. The Michigan State coach has praised Taylors motor and the progress he has made, a notably different tone than the one he used when discussing former player Xavier Booker. For a program that often leans on trust, toughness and steady development down the middle, Taylors emergence has been one of the early surprises.
The bigger question now is how quickly that trust turns into a larger role. Veteran Anton Bonke is still the current starter, but Taylors play has created the possibility that he could take over the position as the season goes on. Izzos comments suggest he sees more than just a useful freshman, and for Michigan State, that kind of early belief can change the shape of a frontcourt in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]