Michigan State makes cut for elite 5-star in-state OT Antijuan Wilkes

Michigan State is addressing some key needs in its 2027 recruiting class, starting with the trenches. That’s one area where I wish Jonathan Smith would have done a better job at recruiting over his two seasons in East Lansing. He landed some decent offensive linemen, but the defensive line was pretty bad for two full seasons.

The offensive line hasn’t been much better despite producing a couple of draft picks in Matt Gulbin and Luke Newman, but there’s still so much work to do up front.

Nick Tabacca seems like a pretty solid hire and Pat Fitzgerald has made it a point to address the offensive line in the transfer portal as well as in the 2027 class. He’s already looking ahead to 2028 where the state of Michigan has one of the best offensive linemen in the nation.

And just last week, five-star offensive tackle Antijuan Wilkes released his top 12.

Michigan State made the cut.

It’s good to see the Spartans make the cut for one of the best recruits in the country, albeit it should be expected because he’s from Michigan State’s own backyard. Plus, this is a top 12. This is a good start for Fitzgerald and Co., but I won’t be fully invested until Michigan State makes his top five and starts getting visits from him.

We’ll see if that comes. Teams like Ohio State, Michigan, Georgia, Miami, LSU, Florida, Tennessee, Oregon, Texas A&M, Alabama, and Missouri are all pushing for him so don’t expect this to be a recruitment that Michigan State expects to win without a huge NIL package.

Right now, I don’t see Michigan State landing the 2028 class’ No. 28 overall recruit.

Michigan State needs to dominate the in-state class in 2028

While I don’t see Michigan State landing Wilkes as it currently stands, there’s still a chance that he picks the green and white. He’s also not the only elite target from the state.

The in-state class in 2028 is absolutely loaded at the top.

Harper Woods wide receiver Deandre Braden is the top prospect from the state, ranked No. 19 in the nation and he’s being recruited by Courtney Hawkins. Jayden Bell is a five-star edge rusher from Bloomfield Hills and he’s the nation’s No. 34 recruit. Wilkes’ teammate, Donald Tabron II is a five-star quarterback and he’s ranked No. 31. He, too, holds a Michigan State offer.

Four-star cornerback LaMarcus Army, also from Cass Tech, is the No. 103 recruit in the country and four-star athlete Camden Noe from Portage, Mich., is ranked No. 138

This is the perfect class for Fitzgerald to flex some muscle and land a couple of the top 6-7 targets. Landing even three of the top 10 in this class would be a nice win, considering Ohio State, Notre Dame, Penn State, and other behemoths from the Midwest and throughout the country are going to come calling.

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