Michigan State football has never been known as a recruiting powerhouse. With a backyard full of blue bloods, and geographically the school is far away from Florida, Georgia, Texas, California, etc., the Spartans have always faced challenges when it comes to recruiting.
During the Mel Tucker era, Michigan State was getting visits, attention, and even commitments from blue-chips left and right. The current staff under Jonathan Smith has adopted a different approach: going after “low ego high output” players.
Don’t get it twisted, Smith will still go after top-rated recruits, but they have to be willing to put in the work.
Despite the staff not having the most aggressive approach when it comes to recruiting, they still have done a good job of landing their Plan A targets while mixing in some blue-chip talent.
Let’s take a look at the top three recruiters on staff.
3. TE coach Brian Wozniak
Brian Wozniak has done a tremendous job recruiting and developing talent in his small stint as a coach. He recruited and developed Luke Musgrave at Oregon State. He also got four-star Jack Velling to commit to Oregon State and brought him over to East Lansing.
In the 2026 class, he's gotten both of his tight ends to commit in February. It’s very important to get kids along early as it allows each coach to get ahead on the next year's class.
Eddie Whiting from Sioux Falls, S.D., committed to Michigan State over Alabama, Auburn, Michigan, Florida, Washington, and plenty of other power four schools. This was a huge win for Wozniak.
Overall, Wozniak’s track record has been impressive for a young coach. The future is bright for him.
2. OL coach Jim Michalzik
Veteran offensive line coach Jim Michalzik has recruited plenty of four-star prospects to a plethora of different schools. He has never worked at a typical recruiting powerhouse, but he consistently delivers with good talent.
Two of the most impressive commits he’s brought to East Lansing are Rustin Young from Hawaii and Collin Campbell from Arizona. Both are four-star prospects, and he convinced them to come to Michigan State, despite the Spartans having any sort of pipeline out west.
Michalzik also won some high-profile transfer portal battles, including honorable mention All-ACC center Matt Gulbin. He also beat out Ohio State for FCS standout tackle Conner Moore.
The veteran offensive line coach has done a tremendous job throughout his career and as long as the Spartans keep winning games it will only make his job easier.
1. WR coach Courtney Hawkins
The crown for best recruiter on staff goes to wide receiver coach Courtney Hawkins.
Hawkins has only been a college coach since 2020 and has already snagged six four-star recruits. This list includes Keon Coleman, Nick Marsh, and Germie Bernard.
That is an amazing track record for any coach, but for a guy who is heading into his sixth season as a coach is remarkable. In the class of 2026, he beat out Georgia for four-star Tyren Wortham and beat Alabama for in-state borderline four-star in Samson Gash. Plus, Hawkins has brought in two All-Big Ten-level wideouts from the portal in Omari Kelly and Chrishon McCray.
The players love Coach Hawk and it reflects in his strong recruiting track record. He is the best recruiter on the staff and continues to deliver every single class.