Michigan State continues to build momentum on the recruiting trail, and one of their top 2027 targets is now firmly within reach. Four-star wide receiver Chad Willis out of Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (MI) is emerging as a major name to watch — and the Spartans are right in the thick of his recruitment.
Standing at 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, Willis has developed into one of the premier wideouts in the Midwest. He’s currently rated as the No. 3 overall prospect in the state of Michigan and sits at No. 30 nationally among wide receivers according to 247Sports. He also holds the No. 225 overall ranking in the Top247 for the 2027 class. Those rankings reflect his strong mix of size, route-running, and explosiveness — qualities that have made him a must-watch prospect for top programs across the country.
Willis already boasts over 20 scholarship offers, including some of the Big Ten’s most competitive programs: Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, and Purdue have all extended offers. Other national programs are expected to enter the fray as the cycle progresses, but Michigan State has done a particularly effective job of establishing itself early.
The Spartans offered Willis on March 22, and the relationship they’ve built with Orchard Lake St. Mary’s is paying dividends. Michigan State’s strong presence at the school, especially after landing five players from St. Mary’s in the 2025 class, gives them a significant inroad with Willis. Among those five are four-star linebacker Charles White and three-star athlete Bryson Williams, both of whom remain close with Willis and could help influence his decision down the line.
That pipeline has already established a level of familiarity and trust between the Michigan State coaching staff and the Orchard Lake program — an advantage that not every school can offer. The Spartans are expected to continue heavily recruiting Willis over the coming months, with official visits and junior day events likely to further deepen the relationship.
With his size, production, and polish, Willis has all the tools to be a difference-maker at the collegiate level. His recruitment is still wide open, but Michigan State is doing everything right to position itself as a top contender. If the Spartans can maintain their momentum, Chad Willis could be the next elite in-state receiver to don the green and white.
Stay tuned — this recruitment is just heating up.
