Michigan State set to host another star-studded recruiting weekend

East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State is set to host its first major recruiting weekend of the spring. Head coach Mel Tucker, general manager Saeed Khalif, and the Spartan coaching staff have reeled in back-to-back Top 25 classes, according to the On3 Football Team Recruiting Rankings. Michigan State’s recruiting success the past two cycles is largely related to spring and summer visits.

Here’s a look at this weekend’s lineup of star-studded recruits from both the 2024 and 2025 classes:

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QB Jake Merklinger, Savannah (GA) Calvary Day

On3 Industry Ranking: No. 69 nationally, No. 7 quarterback, No. 12 in Georgia

RPM Predictions: Tennessee 35.8%, Michigan State 18.9%, Georgia 13.6%, Florida 9.1%

The Latest: Merklinger has already visited Michigan State five times during his recruitment. This weekend will be the four-star QB’s six visit to East Lansing. “They were my first offer,” Merklinger told On3’s Sam Spiegelman. “I have a great relationship with Coach Johnson. I like the culture at Michigan State and I feel like they can win.”

Merklinger also updated his timeline while speaking with Spiegelman. “I’m taking it slow and I feel like God has a plan for me and I’m trusting in him and continuing to pray and take the process slow.”

Merklinger has additional visits planned for Tennessee (Mar. 24-25) and Georgia (Apr. 19).

READ Sam Spiegelman’s interview with Merklinger who provides the latest in his recruitment.

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TE Dylan Mesman, Saline (MI) High School

On3 Industry Ranking: No. 296 nationally, No. 17 tight end, No. 6 in Michigan

RPM Predictions: Michigan State 98.0%, Minnesota <1.0%

The Latest: One of the Spartans’ top in-state priorities, Mesman returns to East Lansing for his fourth visit to Michigan State in just over a year. “My dad is a former player, so he loves coming down every time,” Mesman told SpartanMag’s Jason Killop. “I love it. We usually go every year for football games so I am very fond of the campus and everything.”

Mesman has a loaded spring schedule with additional visits planned for Kentucky (Apr. 14), Louisville (Apr. 15), Auburn (Apr. 17), and Ole Miss (Apr. 18).

READ Jason Killop’s article on his RPM Expert Prediction for Michigan State to land Mesman.

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IOL DeAndre Carter, Santa Ana (CA) Mater Dei

On3 Industry Ranking: No. 118 nationally, No. 5 interior o-lineman, No. 17 in California

RPM Predictions: USC 51.4%, UCLA 6.1%, Oregon 5.2%, Texas 4.4%

The Latest: DeAndre Carter will first visit Ann Arbor before heading to East Lansing, his first visit to both schools. “They have been reaching out to me more and more as time goes,” Carter told On3’s Chad Simmons. “I’ve had interest in them both and I just wanted to go check both of them out to see for myself.”

The four-star interior offensive lineman is coming off visits to Texas and Penn State. Additionally, Carter has previously visited Alabama and USC.

READ Chad Simmons’ latest interview with DeAndre Carter talking Michigan State and Michigan.

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IOL William Satterwhite, Akron (OH) Archbishop Hoban

On3 Industry Ranking: No. 212 nationally, No. 13 interior o-lineman, No. 6 in Ohio

RPM Predictions: Penn State 96.6%, Michigan State 1.3%, Michigan <1.0%, Kentucky, <1.0%

The Latest: Just over a week ago, BlueWhiteIllustrated’s Ryan Snyder logged an expert prediction for Penn State to land the four-star interior offensive lineman. “It was a good visit,” Satterwhite told Snyder following his most recent visit. “The coaches, the family atmosphere and the stats [stood out] to me. The graduation rate, number of majors they have, the number of players that make it to the NFL and other stuff like that stood out.”

Satterwhite’s weekend trip to East Lansing will be his second visit. The four-star was also in attendance for the Michigan State v. Penn State game in State College last season.

READ Ryan Synder’s update on William Satterwhite and the reason behind his expert prediction.

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IOL Grant Brix, Logan (IA) Magnolia

On3 Industry Ranking: No. 319 nationally, No. 23 interior o-lineman, No. 2 in Iowa

RPM Predictions: Kansas State 30.9%, Nebraska 21.7%, Iowa State 14.1%, Iowa 7.9%

The Latest: The Michigan State legacy recruit will make his first trip to East Lansing as a prospect and not a fan this weekend. Brix makes the trip to Michigan a couple times a year to visit his grandparents, who reside in Hillsdale, Mich. His mother attended Michigan State.

“I watched a lot of Michigan State basketball growing up,” Brix told SpartanMag’s Jason Killop. ”My mom went to school there. I am a big Tom Izzo fan. I kind of watched some football too, just because it is Michigan State sports. I wasn’t necessarily a MSU fan, but its always been something I want to see in person.”

Brix tells SpartanMag.com he will also visit Nebraska, Oklahoma, Iowa, Penn State, Tennessee, Notre Dame, and Pittsburgh.

READ Jason Killop’s interview with Brix discussing his upcoming visit to Michigan State.

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***OT Eagan Boyer, Cornelius (NC) William Amos Hough

On3 Industry Ranking: No. 558 nationally, No. 34 tackle, No. 17 in North Carolina

RPM Predictions: Auburn 89.8%, Virginia Tech 4.1%, North Carolina 1.2%, Clemson 1.0%

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***RB Darrion Dupree, Chicago (IL) Mount Carmel

On3 Industry Ranking: No. 432 nationally, No. 38 running back, No. 8 in Illinois

RPM Predictions: Notre Dame 20.6%, Illinois 18.0%, Missouri 15.4%, Purdue 6.7%

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*** WR NiTareon Tuggle, South Bend (IN) Northwood

On3 Industry Ranking: No. 477 nationally, No. 78 wide receiver, No. 4 in Indiana

RPM Predictions: Georgia 34.6%, Michigan State 10.8%, Michigan 9.2%, Indiana 7.7%

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***IOL Kyle Altuner, Olney (MD) Good Counsel

On3 Industry Ranking: No. 833 nationally, No. 57 interior o-lineman, No. 25 in Maryland

RPM Predictions: Penn State 66.1%, Notre Dame 15.5%, Maryland 1.2%, West Virginia 1.0%

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TE Eric Karner, Itasca (IL) Immaculate Conception

On3 Industry Ranking: Not Ranked

RPM Predictions: Purdue Commit

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2025 IOL Gavin Crawford, Olney (MD) Good Counsel

On3 Industry Ranking: Not Ranked

RPM Predictions: Marshall 100%

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