MSU to Host 4-Star Florida DL Prospect on Spring Visit

The Spartans are getting an interesting defensive lineman on campus next month.

Booker defensive end Maleek Lee visits Ohio Stadium on the day of the Ohio State Buckeyes football game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Nov. 22, 2025. | Lori Schmidt / Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Michigan State football is getting an intriguing prospect on campus next month.

Four-star Booker (Fla.) defensive lineman Maleek Lee will be visiting MSU on March 20-21, he confirmed to Spartan Nation. Lee ranks 258th overall in the class of 2027 on the Rivals Industry Rankings, which also places him 31st among defensive linemen and 26th among all players from Florida.

Michigan State mascot Sparty carries a flag during the Spartans' game against UCLA on Oct. 11, 2025. | Starr Portice, Michigan State Spartans on SI

"What stands out most is the relationship piece," Lee said. "Coaches and the staff have been consistent and honest with me from the start. It feels like they truly believe in my potential and have a clear plan for my development."

Lee is a highly sought-after prospect. He also has visits set for Kansas (March 6-8), USC and UCLA (both March 12), and then also Miami (FL) (March 28). He took an unofficial visit to Ohio State last fall, also holding offers from several other Power Four schools.

More From Lee

Nov 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere III against the Jacksonville Jaguars at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Spartans' defensive line coach, Winston DeLattiboudere III, is the major player in this recruitment so far. DeLattiboudere has been one of Michigan State's hardest-working recruiters on the trail so far, seemingly reaching out to more prospects every day. Recruits have responded favorably to DeLattiboudere thus far, including Lee.

"Coach Debo has been real consistent with me," Lee said about DeLattiboudere. "He’s easy to talk to and keeps it honest, which I respect a lot. He’s passionate about what he does and you can tell he truly cares about his players on and off the field."

When you turn on Lee's tape, it's easy to see why he's considered a four-star prospect. He has a unique blend of effort, explosiveness, athleticism, and size that coaches are sure to love. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds, Lee probably projects to be an interior defensive lineman.

What also stands out is that Lee gets a lot of his tackles by being able to grab the ball-carrier by the hip and swing him around, showing that he's pretty adept at wrapping up whomever he is chasing. Lee also has shown off an impressive swim move that has gotten him into opposing backfields pretty quickly.

Sep 7, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; A detailed view of Michigan State Spartans helmet on the field before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. | Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Getting Lee will be a challenge with all the other schools that are interested, but it's worth the effort from Michigan State. He has the tools and the motor to become a quality starter at the Big Ten level.

The defensive line has not been good enough in recent years at MSU under previous regimes; finding a way to get Lee to East Lansing would be a huge step in the right direction.

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