Pat Fitzgerald’s first order of business at Michigan State? Building a roster that can compete - and that starts with locking down the home turf.
Just a couple weeks into his new gig in East Lansing, Fitzgerald is already getting to work on multiple fronts. He’s meeting with current players to assess the roster and lay the foundation for what’s next. But while those conversations are happening behind closed doors, his next moves are playing out in public - specifically in the form of recruiting the class of 2027.
Yes, 2027. That may feel like a long way off, but in today’s college football landscape, it’s never too early to get ahead. And Fitzgerald is doing just that.
Fitzgerald’s First Offers Go Local
On Monday, Fitzgerald extended his first two public scholarship offers for the 2027 class - and both went to in-state talent. That’s not an accident. It’s a clear signal that Fitzgerald wants to build a fence around Michigan and keep the best prospects close to home.
The first offer went to Charles Britton III, a three-star wide receiver out of Belleville, Michigan. Britton had already received an offer from the previous staff under Jonathan Smith, but Fitzgerald re-upped it, making it clear that the new regime still sees him as a priority.
Shortly after, Fitzgerald offered Lundon Hampton, an unranked athlete from Grand Rapids. Hampton may not have a ranking yet, but Fitzgerald clearly sees something in him worth investing in early.
These aren’t just names on a list - they’re statements of intent. Fitzgerald’s first recruiting actions as head coach are rooted in the state of Michigan, and that’s exactly where Michigan State needs to start rebuilding its pipeline.
Why In-State Recruiting Matters More Than Ever
Let’s be honest: Michigan State hasn’t owned in-state recruiting in a long time. Not consistently, anyway. The last time the Spartans really had a grip on the state was during the Mark Dantonio era, when they were regularly pulling top-tier talent from Michigan high schools.
Since then, that dominance has faded. But with Fitzgerald now at the helm - and with the coaching situation down the road in Ann Arbor still murky - there’s a real opportunity to re-establish a presence.
That effort starts with the Gash brothers. Samson Gash is already a high-priority target, and Fitzgerald has to fend off major programs like Alabama, Georgia, and West Virginia to keep him in the fold. If he can do that - and then follow it up by landing Gideon Gash in the 2027 class - that could be the spark that reignites Michigan State’s in-state recruiting momentum.
It’s not just about landing individual players. It’s about building relationships with high school coaches, establishing trust, and creating a sense of momentum that makes East Lansing a destination again for Michigan’s top talent.
A Long Road Ahead, But the Right First Steps
Let’s not kid ourselves - there’s still a lot of work to do. The 2027 class doesn’t have a single commit yet.
The transfer portal remains a major piece of the roster puzzle. And Fitzgerald still has to solidify the 2026 class, which, while solid, was largely assembled by the previous staff.
But credit where it’s due: Fitzgerald has managed to keep most of that 2026 group together, and now he’s starting to put his own stamp on the future.
These early offers may not make national headlines, but they matter. They show that Fitzgerald understands the importance of in-state recruiting.
They show that he’s not wasting time. And they show that he’s already thinking long-term.
If Michigan State is going to climb back into contention in the Big Ten, it’s going to start with winning battles in its own backyard. Monday’s offers were the first step. Now we’ll see how the rest of the 2027 picture comes together - but for Spartan fans, this is the kind of start you want to see.