Michigan State football lands its first commit of the 2027 class

Less than 24 hours after Michigan State football lost to Rutgers in the season finale, the program landed its first commitment of the 2027 class.

After a disappointing first season in the Jonathan Smith era, the staff now needs to turn its focus towards high school recruiting, roster management, and assessing transfer portal needs.

As it stands today, Michigan State’s 2025 high school class is underwhelming. Honestly, that’s a nice way to put it. That said, the Spartans are still working to rebuild the relationships with high schools in the region that were neglected by the previous staff.

The 2025 recruiting class was never going to be amazing. This staff got here only 12 months ago. I don’t think it’s fair to judge Jonathan Smith’s recruiting chops solely on this cycle. What is fair, however, is to judge him based on what 2026 and 2027 brings. That starts today.

Hailing from Tustin, Calif., projected safety Khalil Terry has committed to Michigan State. Part of the 2027 class, Terry is the first commit for Jonathan Smith outside of the 2025 recruiting cycle. Since Terry is currently a sophomore, he does not currently have a recruiting rating. Rather than posting him as an unranked recruit, we’ll say his rating is to be determined

Although he’s a 2027 recruit, the 5-foot-10 defensive back does hold a solid offer list: Tennessee, Utah, Nebraska, among other P4 schools, have offered.

Demetrice Martin is the primary recruiter here. Since stepping on campus, Martin has been a crucial factor not only on the recruiting trail but in player development as well. The work he’s done with senior cornerback Charles Brantley couldn’t be praised enough.

Terry has two more full years of high school to develop. Assuming he continues to improve, I’d expect his offer list to expand. It’s awesome to see the staff get in the mix on a kid so young, but Michigan State has work to do to ensure the commitment sticks.

We’ll see what comes in the next few years, but it’s time for Jonathan Smith to kick it up a notch (or 10) on the recruiting trail.