News Summary
Michigan State University football team has made significant progress in their recruiting efforts, securing commitments from three three-star rated defensive high school athletes during official visits. The new signings include cornerback Kelsey Deriso, safety Eliyjah Caldwell-Hardy, and defensive lineman Christopher Knauls Jr., all from regions outside traditional Big Ten territories. This move emphasizes MSU’s expanding reach and strategy to fortify their defense for the upcoming seasons while continuing to attract both out-of-state and local talent.
East Lansing, Michigan – Michigan State University (MSU) football team made significant strides in their 2026 recruiting class over the weekend, securing commitments from three high school athletes during official visits. All three prospects, who are three-star rated defenders, hail from areas outside traditional Big Ten recruiting territories.
The new commitments include Kelsey “KJ” Deriso, a 6-foot-1 cornerback from Fayetteville, Georgia, who is rated as the 79th cornerback and 954th overall player in the 2026 class according to 247Sports. Deriso had drawn interest from multiple Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) schools before settling on MSU. His decision reflects the school’s expanding reach in attracting talent from regions that are less familiar with the Spartans’ football program.
Another addition is Eliyjah Caldwell-Hardy, a 6-foot safety from Jacksonville, Florida, recognized as the 115th safety in his class. Caldwell-Hardy also garnered attention from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) before committing to MSU, further illustrating the program’s ability to compete nationally for top defensive prospects.
The final of the trio is Christopher Knauls, Jr., a formidable 6-foot-4, 262-pound defensive lineman from Frisco, Texas. Knauls is rated as the 105th defensive lineman and had received offers from several Big 12 programs before choosing to play for the Spartans. His selection is indicative of MSU’s focus on building a strong defensive lineup for future seasons.
With these recent commitments, the Spartans’ 2026 recruiting class now consists of nine players, five of whom focus on defensive positions. This strategic emphasis on defense highlights MSU’s intent to fortify their team as they aim for competitive success in upcoming seasons.
The Spartans remain active in recruiting, with several additional prospects being pursued for the 2026 class. Among them is Chicago Heights defensive lineman Gavin Neil, who is favored to commit to MSU, according to national recruiting analyst Allen Trieu. Neil boasts a total of 16 offers and has shown considerable interest in MSU, coupled with planned visits to the campus, indicating his potential alignment with the Spartans.
In addition to their efforts to sign out-of-state talent, Michigan State is also focusing on homegrown recruits. Currently, the Spartans have commitments from two Michigan athletes: quarterback Kayd Coffman and offensive lineman Eli Bickel. This in-state commitment strategy aims not only to bolster their roster but also to maintain local engagement with high school talent.
Furthermore, MSU is exploring additional offers for various prospects such as Kory Amachree and Khalief Canty, both from Michigan. This balanced approach, targeting both local and national players, reflects MSU’s diversified recruitment strategy which is essential for building a robust football program.
The early signing period for the 2026 recruiting class is scheduled for December, marking a crucial deadline for commitments. Coach and recruiting staff will aim to finalize their class, ensuring they have the talent needed to compete effectively in the coming years.
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Additional Resources
- Detroit Free Press: Michigan State Football Recruiting
- Wikipedia: Michigan State Spartans Football
- Sports Illustrated: Gavin Neil Prediction
- Google Search: Michigan State Football Recruiting
- Spartans Wire: In-State Prospects in 2026
- Google Scholar: Michigan State Spartans Football
- 247Sports: Christopher Knauls
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Michigan State Spartans
- Sports Illustrated: Carter Gooden Recruiting
- Google News: Michigan State Football Recruiting Class
