Michigan State is wasting no time laying the groundwork for its 2027 recruiting class, and one of the latest names on the radar is St. Louis (Mo.) cornerback Evan Via. The Spartans extended an offer to the rising junior about a week ago, marking a continuation-not a beginning-of a relationship that’s been quietly building over time.
Via checks in at 6 feet tall, 185 pounds, and brings a physical profile that jumps off the page. With a 77-inch wingspan, he’s got the kind of length coaches love at the corner position-enough to shrink throwing windows and make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.
But it’s not just about the measurables. The tape backs it up.
Last season, Via was a lockdown presence in the secondary. Across nine games, he allowed just one reception-for 48 yards.
That’s it. One catch.
Nine games. In an era where high school offenses are increasingly pass-heavy, that kind of production speaks volumes.
He wasn’t just holding his own-he was dominating.
And he wasn’t limited to defense, either. Via was a true three-phase contributor, playing a key role on offense and making an impact in the return game.
That kind of versatility is exactly what programs at the Power Five level are looking for. He’s not just a cornerback with upside-he’s a football player, plain and simple.
The offer came from Michigan State cornerbacks coach Hank Poteat, who has a long-standing connection with Via. Poteat first offered him back in June while he was still coaching at Iowa State, and the two have been in contact even longer than that. Now at Michigan State, Poteat is clearly making Via a priority, and the Spartans are hoping that continuity pays off.
For Michigan State, it’s about more than just adding names to the board-it’s about building real relationships early. And with Evan Via, they’re doing exactly that.