MSU Lands Top In-State Target from 2027 Class
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After two disappointing seasons under Jonathan Smith, Pat Fitzgerald was hired as the new head coach of Michigan State and is widely viewed as a culture-changing leader for the program.
Since taking over, Fitzgerald has done a strong job retaining the 2026 recruiting class that originally committed under Smith. He also successfully held off the Penn State Nittany Lions to keep four-star wide receiver Samson Gash in the class.
Now, Fitzgerald has turned his attention to the 2027 recruiting class. After landing three-star quarterback Eli Stumpf from Ohio, Michigan State added another key piece with the commitment of in-state offensive lineman Jack Carlson.
Jack Carlson Commits to MSU
Carlson becomes the fourth player in Michigan State’s 2027 class and is currently the highest-ranked commit. Although he is rated as a three-star prospect, Carlson is ranked No. 492 nationally and the No. 33 offensive tackle in the class, according to On3.
Carlson spoke with Allen Trieu of On3 about his decision and emphasized the strong relationships he built with the coaching staff.
🚨BREAKING🚨 OT Jack Carlson has committed to Michigan State, @AllenTrieu reports🟢⚪️
— Rivals (@Rivals) March 17, 2026
Read: https://t.co/VK9j2ljln1 pic.twitter.com/zUxRLD54U3
“The amount of love and support I’ve received from the Michigan State staff has been overwhelming,” Carlson said. “I sincerely believe that these guys will make MSU great. The people at Michigan State make the place special, and they’ve made East Lansing feel like home.”
Offensive Line Outlook for Michigan State
The offensive line has been a consistent issue for Michigan State in recent years and was a major priority for Fitzgerald and his staff.
Both projected starting offensive tackles, Ben Murawski and Conner Moore, are entering their final seasons of eligibility. That makes building depth and developing future starters a key focus for the program.
Since his arrival, Fitzgerald has emphasized building the roster through high school recruiting rather than relying heavily on the transfer portal.
Carlson was a priority target for Fitzgerald and offensive line coach Nick Tabacca. He becomes the second offensive lineman in the 2027 class to commit, joining fellow in-state prospect Grant Adolf, who committed earlier this year.
Michigan State also has several current players who could contribute to the future of the offensive line. Robert Wright Jr., a transfer from Georgia Southern, did not commit a penalty during the 2025 season and provided immediate depth. He also has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
Additionally, Rustin Young showed promise after stepping in due to injuries last season. He started multiple games and held his own, giving the Spartans another potential piece for the future.
Michigan State continues to build momentum on the recruiting trail under Pat Fitzgerald, particularly along the offensive line. The addition of Jack Carlson strengthens the foundation for the 2027 class and reflects the program’s focus on long-term development.
If Fitzgerald can continue to secure key recruits and develop depth in the trenches, the Spartans could see significant improvement in the coming seasons.
Luke Joseph is a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in journalism. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of sports and commitment to storytelling, he serves as a general sports reporter On SI, covering the NFL and college athletics with insight and expertise.