Big News From MSU LB Target

The Michigan State Spartans are high on 2026 linebacker Jacob Savage and a recent top teams list reveals that the feeling is mutual.

St. Xavier Tigers safety Adam Buehner (8) attempts to tackle Ryle Raiders running back Jacob Savage (21) in the first quarter of a high school football game between the Ryle Raiders and St. Xavier Tigers, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Clifford R. Borland, Sr. Stadium in Union, Ky. | Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Michigan State is very particular about the kind of linebacker it recruits.

2026 Ryle High School product Jacob Savage, however, fits the mold of a Joe Rossi linebacker. With the release of a top-7 teams (despite maintaining an open recruitment), the Spartans seem like a potential fit with Savage.

Michigan State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Purdue, Indiana, Minnesota, and Northwestern all made it, per Savage's post from Savage on X, formerly known as Twitter.

I spoke with Savage in February and his feelings and connection with the Spartans were strong. He told me, "[Rossi]came to my house for an in-home visit, went to my school a couple of times. And not just him, but me and the rest of the staff, we have calls pretty much every couple days. So, our relationship has definitely grown a lot since [the offer in December], it's definitely gotten good, and me and my family have grown relationships with them for sure, and the staff."

At 6-foot-1, 219 pounds, Savage is the No. 48 linebacker in 247Sports' rankings and a two-way star for Ryle.

He said that Michigan State likes the athleticism, which is a given when one considers that the Spartans want coverage-friendly linebackers.

"They said my athleticism and the way I can read a defense is what stands out to me at the linebacker position for them, and that's why they love me so much," he said. "My physicality, my athleticism, that I can make plays anywhere on the field."

Rossi described his prototype back in August:

"You know, I think the Mike linebackers -- I think a portion of it's leadership, but from a physical standpoint, you gotta have guys that are comfortable in space. You wouldn't even think that I would say that to start with the Mike, but you know, the Mike ends up out of the box all of the time in three-by-one formations, and so the guy has got to be physical and he's got to be able to stop the run, all those things, I got it.

"You know, if you're getting recruited as a Mike, you gotta have that skillset but you gotta be comfortable in coverage. Doesn't mean you're playing man-to-man on people all the time, but it just means you got to be able to go out there play in space and function. So I think that that's something that's going to be big for us in terms of that position."

Michael France is Sports Illustrated's Michigan State recruiting beat writer, covering all things Big Ten recruiting for Spartan Nation. Be sure to follow him on Twitter/X@michaelfrancesi for exclusive Spartans recruiting coverage.

Don’t forget to follow the official Spartan Nation Page on Facebook Spartan Nation WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE, and be a part of our vibrant community group Go Green Go White as well WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.