Spartans Eye Top Recruit Da'Jon Talley-Rhodes: A Battle for the Backfield
The recruiting race is heating up as Michigan State finds itself among the final six contenders for the highly sought-after running back, Da'Jon Talley-Rhodes. This three-star standout, teetering on the edge of four-star status, is turning heads with his impressive stats and potential.
Standing at 6-foot-0 and weighing 213 pounds, Talley-Rhodes is a force out of St. John’s High School in Washington, D.C.
With a composite score of .8950, he ranks as the No. 388 player nationally and the top running back recruit from his area. His decision looms large, as he considers five Big Ten powerhouses and Boston College.
The graphic he shared on social media, captioned “Where’s home?”, reveals his top choices: Indiana, Washington, Penn State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Boston College. Each program offers its unique allure, but the Spartans present a particularly intriguing challenge.
Michigan State currently boasts a crowded backfield with ten running backs, making competition fierce. This raises the question: Will Talley-Rhodes embrace the challenge of carving out a role amidst such depth, or will he opt for a clearer path at a program like Indiana, where the roster lists only five running backs?
The Spartans’ recruiting pitch goes beyond numbers. The program is in a rebuilding phase, aiming to attract recruits who believe in its potential rather than its recent record. Key to this effort is running backs coach Devon Spalding, who joined Michigan State in January 2026 after a successful stint at Wisconsin.
Spalding’s track record speaks volumes. At Wisconsin, he guided two running backs to All-Big Ten honors, including Braelon Allen, who made a significant mark with 984 rushing yards in 2023. Allen's success under Spalding's tutelage culminated in an NFL career with the New York Jets.
Before his Big Ten success, Spalding honed his skills at Youngstown State, where he coached Jaleel McLaughlin to a record-breaking career. McLaughlin's 1,588 rushing yards in 2022 earned him the Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Year title, and he set the NCAA all-division career rushing record with 8,166 yards.
Spalding’s proven ability to develop top-tier talent is a major selling point for Talley-Rhodes. Despite the crowded roster, Michigan State offers a clear path to meaningful playing time and development under Spalding’s guidance.
Head coach Pat Fitzgerald’s vision for the Spartans revolves around a gritty defense and a robust, run-focused offense. This blue-collar approach aligns perfectly with Talley-Rhodes’ playing style, offering him a chance to thrive in a system built around his strengths.
As the decision day approaches, all eyes are on Talley-Rhodes. Will he choose the challenge and potential of Michigan State, or find his fit elsewhere? The Spartans are certainly making a compelling case.