Pat Fitzgerald has had a busy month as Michigan State’s new head football coach.
First, he met with some of his players to discuss their futures with the program, then he watched the transfer portal open for the first time as Michigan State’s head coach, he’s been non-stop recruiting the portal since, and he’s also visiting top targets in future classes while also hosting important high school recruits and transfers.
The hosting of high school recruits from future classes is just as important as the hosting of transfers because he’s trying to build the program for the long-term. Plus, it’s important for Fitzgerald to build relationships with high school coaches and recruits, especially in the state.
It looks like he’s already doing a good job of that.
Over the past week, or so, Fitzgerald has locked in some big-time unofficial visits from a few in-state four-star prospects from the 2027 and 2028 classes.
First, he scheduled a January visit with four-star offensive tackle Jakari Lipsey from Kalamazoo, ranked the No. 196 overall recruit in the 2027 class. Then, he locked in another one with four-star tight end Anthony Cartwright, the nation’s No. 302 recruit, from Franklin, Mich. Lastly, he scheduled a late-January visit with four-star offensive tackle Antijuan Wilkes from Detroit who’s ranked No. 175 in the 2028 class.
*Insert Squidward “the future” GIF*
But seriously, this is massive for the future of the program. Building relationships in the state of Michigan and planting seeds at prominent football programs will be the key to success.
You can’t say that Pat Fitzgerald isn’t putting in the effort
If Fitzgerald doesn’t end up working out at Michigan State, it won’t be for lack of effort.
I’m not trying to say that Mel Tucker nor Jonathan Smith put in effort, but it never felt like it was to this degree. Every single day, there’s a new commit, a handful of offers, some in-school coach visits, and more scheduled unofficial visits. It’s been refreshing to see Fitzgerald put in overtime on the recruiting trail.
And he’s not letting his current team down either. He’s been going through winter conditioning with them, and meeting with them to build those relationships.
I’m not sure how this man seems to be everywhere at once, but he’s doing it daily.