Alabama offers Michigan State RB commit Jace Clarizio

On May 14, Michigan State picked up a commitment right in its backyard, as East Lansing (Mich.) three-star running back Jace Clarizio announced his pledge to the hometown Spartans.

Clarizio has stayed firm with MSU for nearly six months now, but the 5-foot-11, 185-pounder announced a major offer on Wednesday morning. Alabama has jumped in the mix for the tailback:

Bama offered !! @BAMACoachG @CoachCKap @RisingStars6 @AllenTrieu @EL_Trojans_FB pic.twitter.com/3V2GGKrgeQ

— Jace Clarizio (@jace_clarizio) November 6, 2024

Clarizio helped lead East Lansing High to a 6-3 regular season and the Trojans are now gearing up for second-round action in the state playoffs. He’s clearly caught the eyes of Bama RBs coach Robert Gillespie and OL coach Chris Kapilovic this fall.

At the end of the summer, Clarizio updated his commitment with SpartanMag, stating that he “felt really good” about his decision to stay home. The three-star has also reported offers from the likes of USC, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana and Louisville.

“There was a lot of stress. I was stressing about it (during the process), but I found my home and it’s literally down the street, so I’m just ready. I’m excited,” he said.

Clarizio is the No. 448 overall prospect and No. 34 RB in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 8 player in Michigan.

Sparty’s class currently features 15 commits and ranks No. 49 in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Clarizio is the second-highest-ranked commit in the class and the lone RB in the fold for Jonathan Smith and Co.

Alabama looking to add to No. 1 recruiting class

The Crimson Tide check in atop the recruiting rankings with the Early Signing Period less than a month out. Kalen DeBoer and his staff have compiled 23 commits, including five five-stars and nine additional top-200 prospects.

The class does currently feature a pair of running back commits in Quitman (Miss.) four-star Akylin Dear, the No. 2 RB in the nation, as well as Montgomery (Ala.) Carver four-star Anthony Rogers, the nation’s No. 10 RB.

Bama has held Rogers’ pledge since June 2023, though he has taken an official visit to Georgia this fall and is slated to take an OV to Ohio State this weekend. Dear continues to help headline the class as the No. 44 overall prospect in the cycle.

DeBoer is on pace to finish his first full recruiting cycle in Tuscaloosa with the nation’s top class. The Tide remain ahead of Ohio State, LSU and Georgia as the December signing period rapidly approaches.