Michigan State’s new era under Pat Fitzgerald is already starting to take shape - and it’s clear he’s not playing small ball on the recruiting trail.
On Sunday, Fitzgerald secured his second commitment for the 2027 class. But more telling than the early pledges is the scope of his recruiting vision. He’s casting a wide net, yes - but he’s also aiming right at the top.
One of the biggest names on his radar? Four-star quarterback Israel Abrams, a top-tier prospect who’s drawing major national attention. According to reports, Michigan State is one of seven programs “in hot pursuit” of Abrams, and Fitzgerald made that interest clear with a recent in-person visit alongside his staff.
This is the kind of move that speaks volumes about Fitzgerald’s approach. It’s one thing to find hidden gems - and yes, building depth through underrated offensive linemen and running backs is important.
But when it comes to setting the tone for a program’s future, you need to swing big at quarterback. And Abrams fits that bill.
Ranked as the No. 2 quarterback and No. 22 overall prospect in the 2027 class by 247Sports, Abrams is more than just a flashy name - he’s a potential program-changer. Landing him would be a statement, not just about the direction of the quarterback room, but about Michigan State’s place in the national recruiting conversation.
Fitzgerald seems to understand that building a sustainable winner starts with getting the quarterback position right. And if you look at the potential pipeline - from Alessio Milivojevic to Kayd Coffman and then possibly Abrams - it’s a QB succession plan that could provide real stability for years to come.
And here’s the thing: Michigan State isn’t starting from scratch when it comes to quarterback pedigree. The Spartans have a history that can sell itself.
Since 2000, they’ve produced NFL quarterbacks like Jeff Smoker, Drew Stanton, Brian Hoyer, and Kirk Cousins. That’s a lineage that still resonates with recruits, even if it’s been a few years since the last Spartan QB made waves at the next level.
Brian Lewerke showed flashes of that potential before injuries derailed his trajectory, and now Milivojevic looks poised to carry the torch. If he performs like an All-Big Ten quarterback this season - and that’s a real possibility - it could make East Lansing an even more attractive destination for a talent like Abrams.
And don’t forget, Fitzgerald has his own track record of developing quarterbacks into NFL-caliber players. That kind of credibility matters when you’re sitting in a living room, pitching a vision to a top recruit and his family.
Bottom line: this isn’t just about one player. It’s about building a quarterback room that can compete at the highest level, year after year. And if Fitzgerald can land Abrams, it could be a major turning point - the kind of move that signals Michigan State is ready to climb back into the national spotlight.