On Wednesday, Michigan State extended an offer to Gabe Davis-Ray, an up-and-coming defensive back from Columbus, Ohio.
He shared the news on social media:
#AGTG After a great conversation with @JA_Adams06, I am blessed to receive an offer from @MSU_Football!!@CACoachMiller @CA__Football pic.twitter.com/2m7jixxhVv
— Gabe Davis-Ray (@gabe_davis5) March 13, 2025
Currently, 247Sports does not have Gabe Davis-Ray rated, but that hasn’t deterred the Michigan State coaching staff. They are actively working to set up a visit with the promising 2026 recruit.
Davis-Ray already holds offers from several Ivy League schools, MAC schools, and others. His connection with Michigan State isn’t new, as the Spartans have been in contact with him since at least last fall. MSU seems to find something especially intriguing about him, being one of the first Power Five programs to offer, alongside Northwestern.
Looking at his film, it’s clear why the Spartans are interested. He’s a naturally talented athlete with great instincts, capable of playing multiple positions in the secondary. He excels at defending the pass and also has the physicality to make big hits when needed.
It’s a familiar scenario for Michigan State, which has often found underrated recruits who turn into standout players, especially during the Mark Dantonio era. The Spartans have a history of unearthing hidden gems in Ohio and Michigan.
Since taking over, Jonathan Smith has embraced recruiting in the Midwest and continues to focus on finding gritty, undervalued players.
This early offer could change the course of Davis-Ray’s recruitment, with other Power Five programs potentially taking notice and offering as well. However, Michigan State holds an advantage for now, having established a strong relationship long before many others.
Loyalty and early rapport can make a huge difference in recruiting, so it will be interesting to see if that plays a role here. If MSU were to secure a commitment from Davis-Ray, it would mark their fifth commitment for the 2026 class and their first defensive commit.
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