Michigan State Eyes Crucial Finish to 2026 Class with Samson Gash Visit
Pat Fitzgerald hasn’t wasted any time getting to work in East Lansing, and this weekend could mark a pivotal moment for his first recruiting class at Michigan State. The Spartans are set to host Samson Gash - the lone unsigned commit in their 2026 group - for a visit that carries serious weight ahead of National Signing Day.
Gash, a four-star wide receiver, originally committed to Michigan State over the summer, back when Jonathan Smith was still running the show. But with the coaching change, the door cracked open - and other programs have been quick to try and sneak through it. Now, Fitzgerald is making his move to lock down a player who could be a foundational piece for the Spartans’ future.
This weekend’s visit isn’t just a routine stop. It’s a chance for Gash to get one last look at what East Lansing has to offer - and to do it during one of the biggest weekends on campus, as Michigan State hosts in-state rival Michigan in a top-10 basketball clash. The timing couldn’t be better for the Spartans to make a final impression.
There’s also a strong family tie that could play in Michigan State’s favor. Gash’s older brother, Caleb, is a redshirt junior defensive back already on the roster, and his younger brother, Gideon, is a promising 2027 prospect. A potential “Gash package” could be in the works, and the idea of keeping the trio together in East Lansing is certainly intriguing.
Caleb even posted a photo on Instagram featuring all three brothers - Caleb on the left, Samson in the middle, and Gideon on the right - which raised a few eyebrows and sparked some optimism among Spartan fans. While nothing’s official yet, the timing of the post didn’t go unnoticed.
Still, Michigan State isn’t the only program in the mix. Penn State has emerged as the biggest challenger down the stretch.
New Nittany Lions head coach Matt Campbell has made Gash a top priority since taking over, and the push from Happy Valley has been strong. Earlier in the cycle, Alabama and West Virginia were also in the picture, but it’s now shaping up to be a two-school race between the Spartans and the Nittany Lions.
That kind of national attention is a testament to Gash’s talent. He’s ranked No. 289 nationally by 247Sports, while On3 places him even higher at No.
- He’s a dynamic playmaker with the kind of upside that programs across the country are always looking for - and he happens to be right in Michigan State’s backyard.
For Fitzgerald, landing Gash would be a statement. Not just because of the player he’d be getting, but because of what it would signal: that Michigan State is ready to go toe-to-toe with Big Ten powers for top-tier talent, and that the new coaching staff is serious about keeping elite in-state players home.
There’s a lot riding on this weekend. If Fitzgerald can close the deal and keep Gash in green and white, it would be a strong finish to the 2026 class - and a sign that the Spartans are building something to watch under their new head coach.