There’s a massive 2026 recruitment looming over Pat Fitzgerald’s head that he would probably like to seal up before the coming weekend is over.
Michigan State’s new head coach will be hosting the Spartans’ lone unsigned commit in the 2026 class, Samson Gash, this weekend ahead of February’s National Signing Day.
Gash has been committed to Michigan State since the summer, but he did so under the previous coaching staff led by Jonathan Smith. Obviously, with the change to Fitzgerald, there’s been a lot to think about. Gash could join his older brother, Caleb, in East Lansing while also “packaging” with his younger brother, Gideon, in the 2027 class.
Samson has a big decision to make, but coming off a Penn State visit and taking in East Lansing — during Michigan weekend — one more time before deciding has to help the Spartans’ chances.
Plus, Caleb Gash posted this on his Instagram, potentially hinting at some upcoming good news.
Michigan State redshirt-junior DB Caleb Gash via IG. Caleb on the left, younger brothers Samson in the middle, Gideon on the right.
— Kenny Jordan (@Kenny_Jordan5) January 28, 2026
Samson (2026 4 ⭐️ WR commit), is set to visit East Lansing this weekend. pic.twitter.com/Ku9jo6VDTO
Landing Gash over Penn State would be huge for Fitzgerald because it would not only show that he’s willing to battle the brass of the Big Ten for a coveted recruit, but he’s also going to fight for the top in-state prospects. He wants the best players in Michigan to go to Michigan State again.
Gash would qualify as just that.
Penn State is the school to worry about for Samson Gash
Right after Matt Campbell was hired at Penn State, he made sure to prioritize Gash. He made him a top priority for the Nittany Lions, and it’s become sort of a two-school race for the four-star receiver.
Early on, it was Alabama that the Spartans had to worry about, then it was West Virginia for about a 24-hour period, and now it’s Penn State. It’s not a bad thing that Gash is getting attention from some of college football’s elite programs — that just goes to show how good he is.
He’ll look best in the green and white, however.
Taking in the Michigan vs. Michigan State top-10 showdown in person will easily help the Spartans’ efforts to land him, and I think that could help Fitzgerald seal the deal.
Gash is ranked the No. 289 prospect in the country, according to 247Sports. On3’s latest update has him listed as high as No. 188 nationally. This would be the perfect way to close the Spartans’ 2026 class.