Michigan State to host some of the nation's top prospects at their Green-White spring game
Right now, recruits from around the country are flocking to East Lansing to get a front row seat for tomorrow's annual Green-White spring game. This will be the first time in the Mel Tucker era at Michigan State that the head coach can take full advantage of the spring game for recruiting purposes.
In 2020, the game was cancelled due to COVID-19. In 2021, there was a limited number of fans able to attend the event, and recruiting was still in an imposed dead period due to the pandemic.
This year, however, Tucker and the rest of the Michigan State staff has gone all in on making the Spartans spring game a massive recruiting event.
As of now, there will be 13 four- or five-star athletes in attendance from the class of 2023, as well as an additional 10 three-star prospects. Those numbers could increase by the time 2 p.m. rolls around on Saturday.
Michigan State will look to get a jumpstart on future classes as well, with 19 recruits from the 2024 and 2025 recruiting classes currently set to attend the Green-White game.
The most notable immediate players visiting Michigan State include a trio of five-star recruits in the class of 2023 — Defensive lineman David Hicks (Katy, Texas), the No. 4 overall prospect; Offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa (Bradenton, Florida), the No. 8 overall prospect; and running back Rueben Owens (El Campo, Texas), the No. 17 overall prospect.
This is new territory for Michigan State in the landscape of football recruiting. The Spartans have often been a more regional brand, focusing on Midwestern states in search of hidden gems rather than digging into talent-rich states like Florida and Texas.
Tucker has stuck to the approach of recruiting players who want to be in East Lansing and that fit what he wants to do, but he's not settling for only building relationships with local talent. He has set the bar high and recruited the entire country.
Coming off an 11-2 season a year ago, which far exceeded both local and national expectations, Tucker and his staff have results to show and sell to prospects. This is a large step forward from having to sell hope and a plan after a 2-5 season in 2020.
In addition to uncommitted prospects, Michigan State will also host each of the five 2023 players that have already committed to the Spartans. This will give those guys the opportunity to rub shoulders with their classmates and do a little recruiting of their own.
Other notable top targets who will be in attendance include four-star Covenant Christian Academy (Texas) defensive end Enow Etta (No. 131 overall), four-star IMG Academy (Fla.) linebacker Jordan Hall (No. 156) and four-star Detroit Cass Tech. High School defensive end Jalen Thompson (No. 201).
Outside of that, four-star safety Venice (Fla.) High School prospect Elliot Washington (No. 132), who is currently committed to Alabama, will also be at the game. Michigan State is also tapping into one of the best high schools in the country in IMG Academy and hosting a number of prospects from there.
With Name, Image and Likeness and other changes to the landscape of college football, Tucker and his staff have done are pulling the right strings to keep the Spartans in contention with the top programs around the country for these high-end prospects. That will be on full display this weekend.