On Nov. 25, Michigan State football hired Jonathan Smith to be the football team's 26th head football coach. It has been a breath of fresh air knowing that Michigan State found its guy, who seemingly has the fanbase rallied behind him and his staff ready for next fall to come and see what the Smith brand of football is all about.
It has been a successful first month in East Lansing for Smith. He brought in a solid staff, acquired some of the top transfers in the nation, and put together a Big Ten-level recruiting class in three weeks.
Let's take a look at three things that Spartan fans can takeaway during Smith's first month as head coach.
3. Midwest recruiting is once again a priority
Michigan State's previous successful teams have been built on Midwest roots, specifically Michigan and Ohio. the 2024 class features three signed players from Michigan and three from Ohio. Granted some of those were already committed from the previous staff, but Smith definitely did his due diligence in Michigan and Ohio.
Smith got to East Lansing and hit the ground running offering in-state prospects. He even flipped Gaylord, Mich., linebacker Brady Pretzlaff from Big Ten foe Minnesota. Austin Clay from Cleveland, Ohio was committed to Bowling Green, but Smith was able to get the underrated speedy wideout to join the fold in East Lansing. These are the type of players that the previous staff neglected. Underrated players from the Midwest who offer a drama-free recruitment and have that gritty get-to-work mentality.
Michigan State also missed out on Indiana quarterback Tyler Cherry to the hometown Hoosiers, but it's just more evidence that the Midwest will be a priority when it comes to high school recruiting. Seeing more Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Pennsylvania faces back in East Lansing should be refreshing.