MSU Football Offers Physically Imposing Bronx TE
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The Spartans are looking at a tight end with some impressive measurables.
Michigan State extended an offer on Tuesday evening to Cardinal Hayes (N.Y.) tight end Saleh Atariwa, according to the recruit's Twitter/X page. Atariwa, a member of the class of 2027, hasn't received a rating from a major recruiting service yet, but he has official visits scheduled with Syracuse and Rutgers, as well as other offers from Boston College, Maryland, Wake Forest, Temple, and UConn.
Blessed to receive an offer from Michigan State Football!! @CoachWozniakTE @AJPearson_IV @CardinalHayesFB @COACH_ONEIL@Coach_Duff1 @CoachEdWilson @zaewill8_ @ChaseHarleston @PrepRedzoneNY @BrianDohn247 @GGMediaTriState #UPHAYES pic.twitter.com/rS4uqwbgaA
— Saleh Atariwa (@SalehAtariwa) March 31, 2026
He also has a frame that makes you wonder if Atariwa has tried basketball a bit, too. Standing at 6-foot-7 and 245 pounds -- as well as a 7-foot wingspan -- Atariwa has some potential to become a difference-maker. He's tall enough to go up and get a pass, and his arms are long enough to keep defenders away more easily as a blocker.
It seems tight end coach Brian Wozniak and assistant director of player personnel A.J. Pearson are the two people taking the lead on this recruitment for MSU, since they are the two Spartan staff members Atariwa tagged on his original post.
More on Atariwa
For some additional reference, Atariwa would be the Spartans' tallest tight end on the roster right now. Everyone at the position right now is listed between 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-6. Atariwa's weight of 245 pounds is a bit on the lower side, but it still falls within the group's range.
MSU Trailing Big Ten Foe
Right now, Rutgers seems to be the team in the lead for Atariwa. Rivals' RPM metric currently has the Scarlet Knights at 85.4%. Rutgers is also one of the two schools he's set an official visit with, and it has the advantage of proximity to New York.
Jumping from high school football in the New York City metro area to the Big Ten would be a jump. Atariwa's high school would have him line up about a yard behind the line of scrimmage, technically in the backfield, a pretty fair amount. He'd also go out and play wide receiver sometimes. Those aren't things that will be happening much in the college game.
Michigan State is going into the 2026 season with two tight ends entering their final years of eligibility. Kai Rios is a redshirt senior who caught one pass during the 2025 season for the Spartans, a one-yard touchdown against Maryland. Carson Gulker is a sixth-year senior who transferred from Division II Ferris State during the winter and is known for playing multiple different positions on the field.
A 2025 graduate from Michigan State University, Cotsonika brings a wealth of experience covering the Spartans from Rivals and On3 to his role as Michigan State Spartans Beat Writer on SI. At Michigan State, he was also a member of the world-renowned Spartan marching band for two seasons.
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