Jonathan Smith and the Michigan State Spartans have been red-hot on the recruiting trail over the past few weeks, signaling a significant turnaround for a program that, just a month ago, was lacking momentum and national buzz. Since the start of June, the second-year head coach has orchestrated a remarkable recruiting surge, securing 15 verbal commitments for the 2026 class. Smith’s effectiveness during the critical official visit period has paid immediate dividends, and the results speak for themselves.
Before this recruiting wave, Michigan State’s 2026 class was hovering in the 70s nationally, a reflection of both a slow start and tempered expectations. But following a series of key commitments, the class has skyrocketed to No. 23 in the country, according to the major recruiting services. The leap in the rankings has drawn attention from analysts and fans alike, many of whom are praising Smith’s ability to quickly breathe life into a program that appeared stagnant not long ago.
Critics have attempted to diminish the accomplishment by labeling Michigan State as “Three-star U,” referencing the volume of three-star recruits in the class. However, that overlooks the fact that many of these three-stars are high-priority targets for Power Five programs, and Smith has already landed two four-star talents. One of the most notable additions came on Sunday, when the Spartans flipped four-star defensive back Tyren Wortham from UCF. That move may represent the highlight of Smith’s recruiting efforts to date and underscores his growing influence and credibility among prospects.
Despite all the positive momentum, Michigan State’s recruiting trail wasn’t without a setback. The lone commitment for the 2027 class, four-star safety Khalil Terry, announced that he was decommitting and reopening his recruitment. His departure resets the Spartans’ 2027 class back to zero and takes a bit of the shine off the current hot streak. Still, Terry’s decision appears to be more about ensuring his long-term fit rather than a reflection of dissatisfaction with the program. He’s reportedly planning to release a list of his top seven schools soon, and Michigan State may very well remain in the mix. Then again, there’s also a possibility he moves on entirely.
Although the news of Terry’s decommitment didn’t generate the same headlines as Smith’s recent recruiting victories, it does sting, particularly given the momentum the program had built. Nonetheless, if Smith’s recent success is any indication, Michigan State remains in good hands heading into the heart of the 2026 and 2027 recruiting cycles.
