With the summer schedule in the books and Michigan State football officially kicking off its 2025 campaign, head coach Jonathan Smith needs to stay focused on winning the games in front of him because that will help with some recruiting tasks.
Winning is the key to recruiting at a high level, and we've all seen that over the past 4-5 years. Mel Tucker was bringing in five-stars on visits after that 11-win season in 2021, but when he started losing more than he was winning, those blue-chippers dried up.
Now, Smith is trying to pick up the pieces, and with the Spartans off to a 2-0 start, he can try to parlay that into a couple of late flips from some highly-regarded targets.
That has already begun.
On Wednesday, the Spartans offered Iowa commit Ronnie Hill who 247Sports' Corey Robinson called "one of the best" in the state of Michigan and witnessed him dominate twice over the summer.
One of the best in the state, saw him twice this summer and Hill dominated both times https://t.co/7UeWXjYkPY
— Corey Robinson (@C_Robinson247) September 11, 2025
While other programs are trying to swipe three-star linebacker Braylon Hodge from him, Smith is working on flipping a three-star defensive back from Iowa.
Hill, a Sterling Heights (Mich.) Stevenson product, has been committed to Iowa since June 22, and it's not a bad program to be associated with as a defensive back. Iowa has been known for elite defense under Kirk Ferentz, and the Hawkeyes have sent their fair share of defensive backs to the NFL -- the latest was Cooper DeJean who's starring with the Philadelphia Eagles.
However, Smith is trying to sell him on an up-and-coming program. Sure, you could be an NFL prospect with Iowa, but you could win big games and become a pro defensive back if you come to East Lansing.
Michigan State has extended an offer, and I'd expect a scheduled visit soon, assuming Smith is serious in his pursuit of a flip here.
Hill is ranked the No. 119 safety in the 2026 class.