While the 2025 recruiting class has been the primary focus for Jonathan Smith and Michigan State football fans, the coaching staff is also making significant efforts for the 2026 class.
Recently, the staff has been active in recruiting for 2026, including hosting several top prospects during Spartan Dawg Con this past weekend. They extended multiple offers to 2026 recruits, helping to build relationships with these key targets.
On Monday, it became evident that the 2026 class is gaining traction with Smith when four-star offensive lineman Gregory Patrick released his top nine schools, including Michigan State.
Patrick’s list includes Nebraska, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Penn State, Alabama, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Michigan, and Michigan State.
Thank you to the amazing coaches & programs who have invested time in recruiting me. I’m extremely humbled & grateful for their interest. Going into my junior year, I will be focusing on these 9 schools, but most of all on my @PNHuskieFB brothers & pursuing our goals! #RollSkies pic.twitter.com/swCJaxaQdP
— Gregory Patrick (@gregpatrick75) July 29, 2024
With a predominantly Big Ten lineup, the Spartans have a competitive edge here, especially since Patrick is a legacy recruit. His father, Joseph Patrick, played for Michigan State as an offensive lineman about 20 years ago, which could play a crucial role in Michigan State’s favor.
The four-star prospect from Portage, Michigan, is ranked as the No. 155 overall recruit in the 2026 class, the 13th-best offensive tackle, and the second-best player from Michigan according to the 247Sports Composite. He is a high-priority recruit for Michigan State and could be a key target for the class.
For Smith and the Spartans to make a significant impact in Michigan’s recruiting landscape, securing a top-200 legacy prospect like Patrick is vital. The challenge now is to outmaneuver prestigious programs such as Notre Dame, Penn State, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Michigan to secure his commitment.
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