Michigan State football likely to lose 3-star RB commit to Alabama

As a recruit, when Alabama comes knocking, you answer. And that has remained true, even after the Nick Saban era. Just ask Michigan State football commit Jace Clarizio who has been committed to Jonathan Smith and the Spartans since the summer.

Clarizio is one of the Spartans’ top commits in the 2025 class and even earned four-star status on some recruiting databases, but he hasn’t had much in terms of teams trying to flip him since his commitment. However, Alabama extended him an offer on Nov. 7 and he took an official visit on Nov. 16, giving him a lot to think about, in his own words.

Although he’s from East Lansing which is Michigan State’s literal backyard, Clarizio is having a hard time saying “no thanks” to Kalen DeBoer.

On Tuesday, reports surfaced that Alabama became the favorite to land Clarizio by signing day and the flip crystal balls have already been placed on 247Sports by some prominent recruiting experts like Tom Loy and Justin Thind. In fact, Thind placed one on Tuesday that was listed with a confidence level of 10 which basically means it’s a lock to happen. Therefore, Clarizio is likely gone.

To make things worse, Michigan State landed a Western Michigan running back commit on Monday which was seemingly an insurance plan for when Clarizio flipped to Alabama. You don’t see coaches initiate a late flip like that unless they feel they’re about to lose someone at that position.

This will be a tough blow to the 2025 class which is already ranked down near No. 60 in the nation. That spot for recruiting is flat-out unacceptable for this program but we have to give Smith at least a year to figure it out. If next year’s class is in the 50s or 60s or even the 40s, there may be a legitimate gripe. However, this is his first real class and he needs to prove he can win here first.

Losing Clarizio from his own backyard is rough, though.