Michigan State football makes the cut for priority 4-star DL in 2027 class

The 2027 class has captured Michigan State football coach Pat Fitzgerald’s focus just weeks before spring ball kicks off. The new head coach has been furiously scheduling both official and unofficial visits over the past week and that’s made up a lot of ground with several big-time recruits.

Fitzgerald has already landed a couple of solid prospects in the 2027 class with three-star running back Savior Owens and three-star lineman Grant Adloff both committing to MSU this winter.

Now’s the time when he should be adding to that class and he has the opportunity to with some big-time visitors coming to campus over the next month.

One official visitor who has already scheduled his trip to East Lansing and who also happens to be near the top of Fitzgerald’s 2027 list is four-star defensive lineman Nehemiah Ombati.

On Thursday, he released his top eight schools just days after schedule a June official with Michigan State. The Spartans made the cut along with Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Minnesota, Virginia Tech, Kansas State, and Missouri. This is a winnable top eight for Fitzgerald and Winston DeLattiboudere II.

As you can see, this is a Big Ten-heavy top eight for Ombati who plays his high school ball in Shakopee, Minn. The first thought would be Minnesota lean, but according to his 247Sports profile, Wisconsin and Michigan State are the frontrunners to land him.

Ombati is rated a three-star by 247Sports, but is a four-star on the composite rankings. He’s the No. 345 overall recruit, No. 38 defensive lineman, and No. 2 Minnesota-based recruit in 2027.

This is a recruitment that I’d expect Fitzgerald to win based on need and resources.

Michigan State needs to focus heavily on the defensive line

There’s no doubt about it: Michigan State needs to address the glaring needs along the defensive line. The Spartans haven’t had a decent pash rush in years and that desperately needs to change under this new defensive-minded coaching staff.

And I truly believe it will.

Fitzgerald is going to make sure the linebackers and secondary get the help their need with a strong pass rush. The defense has been pretty one-dimensional (linebackers running the show) for years now, and that has to change with a more effective defensive line. Ombati would be a good start.

I like Michigan State’s chances to beat out a coaching staff on the hot seat at Wisconsin and the home-state Gophers for Ombati’s services. This will be a battle.