Class of 2025 in-state recruits feeling like priorities under the new staff at Michigan State
Since taking over at Michigan State, head coach Jonathan Smith and his staff have made it a top priority to recruit the state of Michigan despite most of the staff coming from backgrounds outside of the Midwest. High School coaches in the state of Michigan have felt overlooked by the in-state program for several years, as Smith and company have quickly worked to earn a new reputation in their backyard.
Smith was the keynote speaker, speaking to over 300 high school coaches from the state of Michigan as he spoke at the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Winners Circle Coaches Clinic on Thursday evening. Smith spoke about his excitement of learning more about high school football in the state and how impressed he has been when hitting the road.
As the new Michigan State staff arrived in East Lansing their focus initially was on closing the 2024 high school class and recruiting the transfer portal. While maintaining their focus on the 2024 class, the staff dipped their toes into the 2025 class as well in order to get a head start.
On Dec. 1, Jonathan Smith and the Spartan staff hit the road offering Orchard Lake (Mich.) St. Mary’s offensive lineman Antonio Johnson, linebacker Charles White and athlete Bryson Williams. The Spartans later offered tight end Jayden Savoury, as Smith and tight ends coach Brian Wozniak returned to the school for a second time on Jan. 12. All four of the St. Mary’s recruits plan to be in East Lansing for the Feb. 3, Michigan State junior day event.
The Spartan staff and offensive line coach Jim Michalczik also quickly offered the No. 2 ranked recruit in the state Avery Gach on Dec. 7. Gach will visit Michigan State on Feb. 3 for the first big junior day event.
The four-star is a Michigan State legacy with both his parents being Spartan alumni, but his recruitment is quite competitive with Michigan, Georgia, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and others standing out early.
Jan. 12 marked the opening of the current ‘contact period’, as the Spartan staff took that Friday to send all ten assistant coaches, along with Smith, on the road across the state. The Spartan staff covered all of metro-Detroit and most of the state, with some school cancellations due to weather interfering with their plans.
While on the road, the Spartan staff locked in a large group of visitors for the Feb. 3 junior day as four-star defensive end Xavier Newsom told SpartanMag.com he was locked in for the event. Newsom does not hold a Spartan offer yet but was glad to hear from the new staff as they arrived in East Lansing.
“I want to see what the environment looks like and how they operate,” Newsom told SpartanMag.com on the visit.
Another big visitor added to the junior day was four-star athlete Elijah Dotson, who is being recruited by colleges as both a wide receiver and as a defensive back.
“That was exciting,” Dotson previously said of the Michigan State offer. “Coach (Bhonapha) said they were starting in-state and building out. They want to build it from in-state, so it is good to know I am a priority for them because the old staff didn’t offer me. This is an offer I really wanted. I grew up watching Michigan State.”
“I talked to Coach KB,” Dotson continued. “He is the assistant head coach. He said he liked my skill set and that I am a baller, and he just wants to see more of me. He said he wanted to get me up there and I am excited to see what the vibe is like with the new coaches and the new staff. You know, new players coming in and transfers and all that, so I want to be there for sure.”
SpartanMag.com was also able to confirm with three-star Roseville (Mich.) High School safety Desmond Straughton that he will be attending the junior day. Three-star offensive lineman Darrin Strey of Paw Paw (Mich.) High School will also attend the event.
A pair of in-state running backs in Jace Clarizio, of East Lansing, Mich., and Noah Sanders, of Birmingham (Mich.) Groves, are also on the visitor list. Sanders, the son of former NFL star and Detroit Lion Barry Sanders, holds one offer so far from Toledo. Clarizio holds a strong early offer list, most recently picking up offers from USC, Boston College, and Wisconsin.
Jonathan Smith visited East Lansing (Mich.) High School and Clarizio on Jan. 19.
“I talked to Coach Smith,” Clarizio said. “We had a good talk. He said he really likes me and wanted me. I thought it was awesome and he was a really cool guy.”
While on the road, one of the stops made was to Macomb (Mich.) Dakota, home of 2025 linebacker Di’Mari Malone. Malone (6-2, 194) is a linebacker who was overlooked by the previous Spartan staff, as he does hold offers from Illinois, Rutgers, Kansas, Indiana, and others. Michigan State and Jonathan Smith called to extend an offer to Malone on Jan. 19.
“Coach Wozniak was really just telling me how they have been settling in and trying to make everything workout now that they are done with the 2024 class they are going to be heavy on the 2025 in-state guys,” Malone told SpartanMag.com. “I want to get up there for junior days and spring practices. I don’t have a date yet but I will most definitely work one out. I am really busy with traveling for 7v7 with SoundMind SoundBody. I would love to be there on Feb. 3 but we will be in Vegas (for a tournament).”
The Michigan State coaches also stopped in West Bloomfield High School, home of four-star wide receiver Kamren Flowers, along with unranked receiver Elisha Durham. Flowers was offered by the previous staff in East Lansing, as his other offers include Penn State, Indiana, Miami (FL), Kansas, Wisconsin, and more. Durham holds offers from Wisconsin, Toledo, and others.
“Coach Hawkins and I had a short conversation,” Flowers said. “He told me that with the new coaching staff and everything new at Michigan State, they still see me as a top prospect and that my offer is still there. He said they are still looking forward to building that relationship with me.”
The new Michigan State staff is also looking to get involved with three-star wide receiver DeShaun Lanier of Chippewa Valley High School, as he previously had not heard much from the Spartans. Lanier holds offers from Penn State, Mississippi, Pittsburgh, Louisville, Kansas and more. The 6-foot, 170-pound receiver is ranked the No. 510 overall recruit in the 2025 On3 Industry Rankings, along with the No. 10 recruit in Michigan.
“I just got in touch with them about two weeks ago,” Lanier said. “They invited me to come out there on Feb. 3. I think I will make it. The new staff seems really interested in me and they want to see me.”
Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith with Macomb (MI) Dakota HC Greg Baur
The post Class of 2025 in-state recruits feeling like priorities under the new staff at Michigan State appeared first on On3.
