Michigan State lands commitment from 2026 OL Eli Bickel
Michigan State continues to add to their 2026 recruiting class, as offensive lineman Eli Bickel committed to the Spartans via social media on Feb. 19.
The commitment comes as a bit of a surprise, as Bickel was expected to take spring visits but shut things down and committed to the Spartans Wednesday evening. SpartanMag.com placed a recruiting prediction machine pick for Bickel to land with the Spartans back in January.
Bickel (6-6, 270) holds other offers from Cincinnati, Northwestern, Cornell, and others. He is ranked a three-star, the No. 697 overall recruit in his class by the On3 Industry Rankings. Bickel is also ranked the No. 41 interior lineman, and the No. 10 recruit in Michigan by On3.
Cincinnati became the first power four offer for Bickel back in May of 2024. Bickel camped with the Spartans in June, earning his Michigan State offer from offensive line coach Jim Michalczik after a few games of junior film.
Bickel has made countless visits to East Lansing for games and for junior day events. His most recent visit to campus came for the Jan. 19 junior day event.
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Michigan State offensive line coach Jim Michalczik has returned the favor, visiting Bickel at North Branch High School for a basketball game. Bickell also wrestles for North Branch, winning his second district championship in a row on the wrestling mat.
Head coach Jonathan Smith also visited Bickel on Jan. 27, cementing his place as a high priority target for the Spartans in 2026.
Bickel becomes the fourth commitment in the Spartan 2026 class. He joins four-star quarterback commitment Kayd Coffman of East Kentwood (MI) High School. Michigan State also holds commitments from a pair of tight ends, including Eddie Whiting of Sioux Falls (SD) Jefferson High School, along with Joey Caudill of Mansfield (OH) Lexington High School.
