Michigan State football heating up in the 2026 class, lands solid in-state OT

After wrapping up his 2025 recruiting class earlier this month, Michigan State football coach Jonathan Smith got right to work on the 2026 cycle.

Since the calendar turned to 2025, Smith has landed four commitments in his 2026 class, the latest of which came on Wednesday night in the form of three-star offensive tackle Eli Bickel from North Branch, Mich. He is the No. 46 offensive tackle in the class and No. 601 overall recruit, according to the composite on 247Sports.

He announced he "finally found home" on Wednesday night.

The three-star offensive tackle becomes the first at the position in the class and the fourth overall commit, boosting Michigan State's class up to No. 37 nationally.

Bickel joins Kayd Coffman (three-star quarterback), Joey Caudill (three-star athlete), and Eddie Whiting (four-star tight end) as the fourth member of the Spartans' 2026 class and every single one of these guys is projected to play on the offensive side of the ball. Getting the quarterback and leader of the class early on is important and so is adding pieces on offense around him.

Now Smith and Co. need to focus on some defensive pieces along with a couple of receivers, at least, and more help on the offensive line. Plus, the staff is already targeting a few solid backs.

The first recruiting class for Smith was a wash because he had just two months to rebuild it and the second was slightly underwhelming, but this third one could prove that he's the right guy for the job. He's off to a great start, he just needs to keep building.