Following Jonathan Smith’s firing on Sunday, player and recruit attrition is expected. Michigan State has already lost one former starter to the transfer portal, but mum has been the word, for the most part, in regards to the 2026 recruiting class.
On Monday afternoon, about 24 hours after Smith was fired, four-star quarterback commit Kayd Coffman announced that he would be signing with Michigan State despite losing his coach.
However, a day earlier, one recruit’s decision seemed to fly under the radar.
Three-star linebacker commit Adam Shaw started what he hopes to be a trend, sticking with his pledge to Michigan State through the coaching change while thanking Smith.
Staying committed to Michigan State. Thankful for everything Coach Jonathan Smith did for me—wishing him nothing but the best. Ready to represent Spartan Nation. 💚 #GoGreen #SD4L pic.twitter.com/rBhZY8NQcQ
— Adam Shaw (@Adam_Shawdawg) November 30, 2025
Shaw was the first to reaffirm his commitment to the Spartans in the 2026 class, and it just feels like he’s going to join Coffman as a future captain in East Lansing. We’ve seen players and recruits stick around through coaching changes before, and Jordan Hall is a prime example — look at what he means to the program as a captain and leader.
The three-star linebacker from New Jersey was one of Smith’s best recruiting wins in 2026. The former head coach flipped him from Rutgers and it’s huge that he’s sticking with Michigan State despite the change. Shaw is a player who fans are excited about.
Michigan State’s 2026 recruiting class is currently ranked No. 33 nationally and Fitzgerald will have to make some phone calls. He’s likely already getting to work on that 2026 class to make sure it doesn’t fall apart, and most players are going to wait until after his first meeting with the team to decide on their futures.
This is the second straight time that Michigan State hired a head coach early enough to ensure that the recruiting class as well as the team stays intact.
Fitzgerald’s rave reviews from the national media has to help the recruiting efforts, and it will also make Michigan State a prime destination for transfers. That was one area in which many wanted Smith to do a better job, but Fitzgerald will have to immerse himself in the new era and bring in veteran players to mix with his high school recruits.
We’ll see if Fitzgerald avoids dinosaur status based on how he recruits.