Michigan State Football Among Top 3 For Elite Four Star 2026 DL

On Saturday, the news was not all bad on the Michigan State football recruiting front. After Chad Willis announced his commitment elsewhere, the Spartans made the top three for an elite defensive lineman. Michigan State football and Winston DeLattiboudere III are honing in on Nehemiah Ombati.

More About Nehemiah Ombati

Ombati is a 6-foot-2, 275-pound defensive lineman hailing from Shakopee, Minn. He got offered by Michigan State football on February 4. Overall, he is a composite four-star, being ranked No. 373 overall and No. 42 among defensive lineman. Amongst prospects from Minnesota, Ombati ranks second among total prospects and defensive line prospects, trailing Eli Diane, a Minnesota commit.

Ombati had an unofficial visit with the Gophers during the spring, but they did not meet the cut over the Spartans. Other teams missing the cut included Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Florida State.

Meanwhile, the Spartans hosted the Minnesota native for an unofficial visit in April, and he had rave reviews for Coach Winston DeLattiboudere III and East Lansing. The Spartans are joined as finalists for Ombati’s services by the Missouri Tigers and Nebraska Cornhuskers. He will officially visit Michigan State on June 5.

Ombati played in nine of the ten games for Shakopee High School last season, recording 120 tackles, nine for loss, four sacks, and two forced fumbles. His 120 total tackles led all defensive lineman in his division of high school football.

How does Michigan State Football Look on the Recruiting Trail?

The Spartans rank no. 32 overall in the young class of 2027, with seven commits. Michigan State holds three defensive commits, with two being on the defensive line.

If Ombati chooses to give his verbal pledge to MSU, he joins Jack Schuler and Ohimai Ozolua on the defensive line, with DB Ty’ire Clark the other defensive commit.

Winston DeLattiboudere has hit early and often with the defensive line, and he is closing in on another one with the official visit season starting at the end of the month.

The Spartans are looking to rebuild under Pat Fitzgerald, and the heavy emphasis on the trenches helps re-affirm the focus. Among the main struggles for Michigan State football has been an inability to rush the passer, and DeLattiboudere and EDGE coach Andrew Bindelglass hope to end that woe.

Spartans Searching to End Draftless Streak

The Spartans are also looking to end their own personal drought on defensive linemen being drafted, too. Since the NFL Draft was trimmed to seven rounds, the Spartans are amidst their longest streak without a single defensive lineman hearing their name called. The last Spartan DL to be drafted was Kenny Willekes in the seventh round of 2020.

A few players, notably Naquan Jones and Quindarius Dunnigan have received contracts as undrafted free agents since then.

Based on early returns from Coach DeBo, that streak will be changing soon in East Lansing.

Follow along for more Spartan recruiting updates as they come along. My X is @E_Matasovsky57 and I will be keeping things as up-to-date as possible.