It’s no secret: Michigan State football recruiting is in a tough spot. Currently, the Spartans’ 2024 class ranks 58th in the nation and 16th in the Big Ten—a conference that now has 18 teams. With only 15 commits, including just one 4-star player, the numbers are undeniably bleak. For a program looking to rebuild its identity, this isn’t exactly where anyone hoped we’d be.
Even in-state recruiting, a traditional lifeline for MSU, is struggling. While the staff has secured commitments from 7 of Michigan's top 23 players, they’ve only landed 1 of the top 9. The top-tier talent is heading elsewhere—LSU, Michigan, Colorado, and Kentucky have all poached the state’s best, and programs like Northwestern, Rutgers, Wisconsin, and Illinois have picked off players ranked 10-25. After the 20th-ranked player, the pool largely shifts to the MAC, with 14 of those players committing to smaller programs.
Fan Frustration
Spartan fans are not taking this well. On social media, it’s an echo chamber of negativity and frustration. Understandably, they want to see immediate results—a spark that ignites belief in the program’s future.
But here’s the reality: recruiting was always going to be a long-term project under Jonathan Smith. No one should have expected a top-25 or even a top-35 class in his first year. If you did, that's on you.
The program is recovering from one of the worst situations in college football, following the fallout of the Mel Tucker era.
While the staff has been upfront about their approach—prioritizing in-state and Midwest recruits before leveraging national ties—the challenges are immense.
The current crop of recruits has no memory of the glory days under Dantonio. They didn’t see Kirk Cousins or Connor Cook lead MSU to national relevance. Instead, they’ve witnessed the program’s decline, culminating in last season’s disaster.
Why the Struggles?
Several factors are at play:
A New Staff Without Local Ties: Smith’s predominantly West Coast staff is building relationships in Michigan and the Midwest from scratch. That takes time.
The Competition: MSU is recruiting against schools that are more established, have stable coaching situations, and have been in the national conversation far more recently.
The On-Field Results: Sitting at 4-6 this season, the program hasn’t shown tangible progress yet. Winning the final two games to finish 6-6 and making a bowl game could help shift that narrative.
Smith and his staff are pitching a vision of what the program could become. That’s a tough sell when the competition can point to immediate results, stronger reputations, or decades-long relationships with recruits and their families.
Why There’s Still Hope
Despite the grim outlook, there’s reason to believe in the process:
Smith’s Track Record: He rebuilt Oregon State from a Pac-12 doormat into a contender. While the Big Ten presents a more challenging environment, Smith has proven he can identify and develop talent.
Focus on Development: Even if the next couple of recruiting classes are smaller and filled with 3-star players, the key will be finding and developing those players into high-level contributors.
The Transfer Portal: With a smaller high school class, MSU has room to bring in 10-16 transfers who can immediately contribute to the two-deep. Given the staff’s success rate in the portal last offseason, this could be a crucial piece of the rebuild.
Take a Deep Breath
This recruiting class isn’t going to crack the top 50. That’s a hard pill to swallow, but it’s the reality. Coach Smith isn’t on the hot seat, nor should he be. Athletic Director Alan Haller bought into his long-term vision, and now we have to do the same.
The road back to national relevance won’t be quick or easy. It will take patience, smart evaluations, and relentless work on the recruiting trail. For now, let’s focus on the small wins—finishing this season strong, building momentum in the portal, and laying the foundation for future success.
The climb is steep, but it’s still possible. Let’s ride the wave and see where it takes us.
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