I’ve spoken at length about this, but Pat Fitzgerald’s Michigan State coaching staff continues to show that they’re building a sustainable base for a long, successful tenure in East Lansing.
How are they doing this? By addressing needs in the trenches.
Every elite team and former national champion has had elite play in the trenches and if Michigan State wants to get back to the Mark Dantonio-esque glory days, it’ll need to beef up the offensive and defensive lines. Fortunately, the Spartans have a head coach who understands the need to address the trenches on both sides of the ball and he’s doing a great job of it.
Fitzgerald has already landed two solid offensive linemen in his 2027 class and he picked up a commitment from a four-star defensive lineman a couple of weeks ago.
Now he’s sending his staff out to check in on one of the Spartans’ top offensive line targets in the 2027 class. Offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan and offensive line coach Nick Tabacca made a stop in Indiana during their recruiting tour this week to check in on four-star offensive tackle Caleb Johnson.
Thank you to @CoachTabacca and Coach Sheridan for coming by our house to visit with me and my family. pic.twitter.com/TS82Bcmw6m
— Caleb Johnson 4 ⭐️ (@CTJohnson27) May 5, 2026
Johnson is one of the top offensive linemen in the 2027 class, ranked the No. 22 tackle and he’s also listed as the No. 214 overall recruit on 247Sports. The four-star from Indiana is also ranked the No. 2 player in the state so you just know that Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers are going to be in pursuit, too.
This was an important in-home visit to continue that relationship-building before Johnson checks out Michigan State for an official visit on May 29.
Michigan State is trending with several coveted 2027 recruits
On top of being one of four teams to have a visit locked in with Johnson, Michigan State has been trending with some big-time recruits in the 2027 class.
Michigan State landed four-star defensive tackle Ohimai Ozolua a couple of weeks ago and also made the top schools list for a couple of four-stars. The Spartans also locked in visits with four-stars like Anthony Cartwright, Marvin Nguetsop, and Myles Smith. I’m also expecting the Spartans to get a visit from four-star top-100 defensive back Gideon Gash.
Winston DeLattiboudere III has been recruiting at a high level on the defensive line and I believe this will be the best class for that position group since the Dantonio days.
Tabacca is doing a pretty effective job on the offensive line, adding to a group that I believe will be the most improved on the roster this season.
This coaching staff is making some big boy moves on the recruiting trail.
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