Five recruits that could spark Michigan State's recruiting class

The month of June is nearing it’s halfway point, with the recruiting calendar hitting a key spot, teams are aiming to lock in their 2027 recruiting classes. For Michigan State, they have 13 commits in the class, and are eyeing to get to 20 by the end of the month.

Of the 13 commits, 12 of them are three-stars, with just one four-star in the class in Ohimai Ozolua via the 247Sports composite rankings. While three or four of the three-stars are near four-star status, the overall feeling around the fanbase is not pleasant.

Right now, the Spartans rank 47th on 247Sports and 54th on On3 in the team recruiting rankings, which honestly is not really good enough. There is a lot of work left to do for the MSU coaching staff in order to get the recruiting class at a level that is acceptable.

Luckily for the MSU staff, and fan base, the Spartans are firmly in the mix in five different recruitments that could completely flip the trajectory of their 2027 class:

A Noblesville (IN) native, Johnson ranks as the No. 213 overall player and a 4-star prospect according to 247Sports. The Spartans have been locked into a dogfight recruitment against Iowa and his home state Indiana. A 6-foot-5, 275 pounder, he has made visits to his final three schools and a decision is nearing.

Intel initially suggested Indiana had a lead going into the month of June, but following visits, it appears that this is an MSU and Iowa battle. Right now, MSU might be ahead in the battle.

A Spartan legacy, Detroit Country Day star tight end Anthony Cartwright is one of the most highly sought after prospects in the class. Ranking as a 4-star and the No. 408 overall player, as well as the No. 8 player in the state of Michigan, the MSU staff would love to add the 6-foot-5, 235 pound prospect.

After Michigan State hosted Cartwright on May 29, he made a trip to Miami. Having already made a visit to Stanford, Oregon is the last school on the docket for Cartwright.

Intel right now suggests MSU is in the top two and could potentially even be leading this recruitment.

A surprise visitor to the first weekend of official visits in East Lansing, Malone would be a major splash in the Spartans defensive back recruiting. A 5-foot-11, 170 pound cornerback from Massillon, Ohio, he ranks as a 4-star and the No. 284 overall player on the 247Sports composite rankings. Malone has only taken a visit to Michigan State so far, with a visit to Ohio State on the docket for this weekend.

As of now, the intel suggests that this is Ohio State’s recruitment, if they want it, but the Spartans are firmly in the mix if he does not commit to Ohio State this weekend, barring a surprise team entering the mix.

Building in the trenches is a priority to MSU and it shows. Another big time offensive line recruit was on campus last weekend and is nearing a decision. Lemont (IL) native Corey Laga will have made three visits when decision day rolls around, and the Spartans are firmly in the mix. A 4-star on On3, the 6-foot-5 offensive lineman is between Michigan State, Oklahoma and Vanderbilt.

Current intel indicates this is a race between MSU and Oklahoma, with the leader teetering back and forth depending on the day. Vanderbilt will have him on campus this weekend, where they will make a last ditch effort in getting into the top group.

While he may not be a 4-star, Young Casario is a big time recruit that would solidify the defensive line. Originally from Aurora, Ontario, Canada, the 6-foot-6, 260 pound defensive lineman is finishing his high school career in Rabun Gap, Georgia.

A high 3-star prospect, Michigan State made a massive impression on the defensive lineman during their official visit to open the month. Now, the Spartans will look to hold off Arkansas, Georgia and Georgia Tech for his commitment.

There is no true intel on where things stand, just that Michigan State is in the top grouping and has a serious chance at earning the commitment.

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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Five recruits that could spark Michigan State’s recruiting class