Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith doesn’t focus on a recruit’s star rating on platforms like 247Sports or Rivals. Instead, he prioritizes a player’s tape and intangible qualities.
That said, four-star linebacker Nick Abrams II from McDonogh School (Maryland) possesses both in abundance, which is why he ranks so highly on Michigan State’s 2026 recruiting list.
On Wednesday, according to Rivals, Abrams announced he would make his commitment on July 16. The Spartans are among the schools in his top 10, joining Georgia, Michigan, Alabama, Duke, Oregon, Penn State, USC, Texas A&M, and Vanderbilt.
The July 16 decision gives Michigan State plenty of time to make its case to Abrams.
According to 247Sports, Abrams has not scheduled any official visits yet, but the competition will be fierce due to the limited number of official visits available. These visits are often a key indicator of a program’s likelihood of landing a recruit.
Michigan State Spartans On SI recently spoke with Abrams, who emphasized his growing relationship with defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Joe Rossi.
“Yes, we have a great relationship,” Abrams said. “Coach Rossi has been really great talking to me, coming to my school, and laying out the plan he has for me. I’ve been to Michigan State, and now I’m just trying to find a time to get back there, talk with him, attend spring practice, and see where this relationship goes.”
Abrams also admires Rossi for qualities beyond football. He appreciates how Rossi balances coaching with his family life, noting that this is something he values when choosing a school.
“Coaching takes away time from your family,” Abrams said. “But he makes time for [family], and that means a lot to me. I look for a family atmosphere at a school, and it’s nice to see that. It’s great that he values family and isn’t just focused on film and game plans. We’ve been talking for a while, and I’ve seen him at my school twice, so the relationship is definitely strong, and I don’t take that lightly.”
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