Michigan State football wrapped up their spring over the weekend with the Spring Game, their first under Pat Fitzgerald. With spring ball over, the Spartans remain on the recruiting trail. Thursday saw the first day of the NFL Draft began, but it also saw crucial target wide receiver Chad Willis announce his top four, with Michigan State football making the cut.
Michigan State Football Closes In On A Target
Chad Willis is an in-state target, with the Orchard Lake St. Mary’s junior hailing from the same high school that brought Michigan State football Bryson Williams, Jayden Savoury, Antonio Johnson, and Darrin Jones Jr. in the 2025 class.
The junior had reached four-star status during his junior campaign, but has slid down the rankings as he currently sits at No. 814 overall in the country, and No. 14 among in state products.
Currently, Willis is ranked as the No. 3 receiver in-state, trailing Dakota Guerrant (Harper Woods) and Tre Britton III (Belleville). He stands at 6-foot-2, weighing in at 185 pounds. Orchard Lake continued where Williams, Savoury, Jones Jr., and Johnson left off upon their graduation, with Willis’s squad going back-to-back in winning state titles during the 2025 season.
Who is Michigan State competing against?
The Spartans are competing against Cincinnati, Minnesota, and Pitt as the other teams in the final four for Willis. On3 lists the Bearcats as the favorite to land Willis.
The Spartans have coach Courtney Hawkins and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan recruiting the rising junior, per 247Sports.
Receiver Room Outlook
The Spartans are very young at the receiver position, with only Chrishon McCray and Rod Bullard Jr. set to depart the program from graduation upon the end of the 2026 season. If Willis were to commit, he would be the first receiver to lock in a commitment this class.
Other players in the room are Fredrick Moore (R-Jr.), KK Smith (R-Jr.), Charles Taplin II (R-Fr.), Bryson Williams (R-Fr.), Braylon Collier (R-Fr.), Jack Yanachik (R-Jr.), Atticus Carridine (R-Jr.), Nick Hardy (R-Fr.), and then the true freshman 2026 class of Samson Gash, Zach Washington, Rai’Shawn Elmore, and Colin Charles.
2027 Recruiting Class Update
The Spartans currently hold five verbal commitments, with four on offense and one on defense. Michigan State is in position for the services of linemen Jack Carlson and Grant Adloff, quarterback Eli Stumpf, safety Ty’ire Clark, and running back Savior Owens.
