Max Bullough Helps MSU Land On Four-Star Linebacker's Radar

Allen Kennett V already visited East Lansing in March, with MSU emerging as an early leader.

Max Bullough, Michigan State football's co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, celebrates after a MSU score against USC during the second half on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Pat Fitzgerald has done a strong job assembling his staff as he works to return Michigan State football to relevance in the Big Ten.

One of the most consequential hires may not be either of his coordinators. Former Michigan State linebacker Max Bullough, now serving as the Spartans' linebackers coach, left a prominent role at Notre Dame to help rebuild the program where he made his name as a player. It is already paying dividends on the recruiting trail.

A Notre Dame Connection That Now Benefits MSU

Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebackers coach Max Bullough against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Bullough has maintained relationships with several recruits he built connections with during his time at Notre Dame, and those relationships are now drawing top prospects to East Lansing. One of the more notable examples is four-star linebacker Allen Kennett V, who is still two years away from signing but has already identified Michigan State as one of the leaders in his recruitment.

Kennett made the trip to East Lansing on March 21, attending one of the Spartans' spring practices and getting his first extended look at the program under Fitzgerald. He came away impressed with what he saw.

Notre Dame linebackers coach Max Bullough screams in a drill during a practice Friday, August 2, 2024, at the Irish Athletics Center in South Bend. | MANDATORY CREDIT: Austin Hough / South Bend Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK

"Coach Fitzgerald was very cool and had great uplifting energy," Kennett said. "It was great to meet him and get to chat with him a bit."

Kennett also spoke highly of Bullough, who was his primary recruiter at Notre Dame. That relationship has not only remained intact since Bullough's move to Michigan State but has continued to grow.

Notre Dame linebackers coach Max Bullough at Notre Dame spring football practice Thursday, March 7, 2024, at the Irish Athletics Center in South Bend. | GREG SWIERCZ / USA TODAY NETWORK

"Me and Coach Bullough have been building a relationship for a while," Kennett said. "I love the way he coaches and can definitely see myself playing under him. I enjoyed building my relationship with him during the visit and getting to see more of how he operates on the field."

A Long Road Ahead in Kennett's Recruitment

Notre Dame linebackers coach Max Bullough runs into practice Thursday, March 7, 2024, at the Irish Athletics Center in South Bend. | MANDATORY CREDIT: Austin Hough / South Bend Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK

While Michigan State is making meaningful early progress, it is still a young recruitment, and a commitment is likely a long way off. Kennett, from Rancho Santa Margarita, California, is drawing interest from several high-profile programs. USC and Tennessee are among the early standouts, alongside Michigan State. Notre Dame has also stayed in contact despite Bullough's departure, and Arizona State is involved as well.

Geography will be one of Michigan State's bigger hurdles. Persuading a California prospect to leave the West Coast for the Midwest is never a simple sell, and the Spartans will need to maintain consistent contact and continue to build on the momentum from the March visit to keep themselves in a strong position.