The 3 most interesting football targets of the Michigan State Spartans 2026

I’ve spoken to numerous 2026 recruits, most of whom were contacted by the Spartans shortly after midnight on the morning of June 15. Many of the 2026 prospects are intriguing. Whether it’s their skills, potential, or relationship with the Spartans at this point, here are three 2026 targets that I find most intriguing for the Green-White’s future (the Spartans would do well to recruit them “heavily”).

Johnson is a four-star prospect and the 10th-best linebacker in the class according to the 247Sports Composite, along with the 116th-best prospect in the entire class. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound linebacker has all the tools to play off the ball or on the edge at the next level. A perfect build to add weight or refine to be a threat from the sideline to the sideline.

I spoke with Johnson, who said the Spartans were his very first call on June 15. Pretty much everyone will recruit Johnson, including his out-of-state Ohio State Buckeyes, who are quickly making a move on him.

Johnson has a lot of intangibles that point to potential success beyond high school. He told me he loves defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Joe Rossi.

After talking to so many recruits, you start to separate the “guys” from the rest when you hear their opinions on the game, preparation, and even themselves. Yes, talk is talk, and these are high school students, but when you contrast your conversations with them and the experts’ projections and ratings, you kind of get a puzzle piece of what kind of competitor they are.

Schwerzel has all the signs of having the potential to be something special. He’s 6’4″ and 250 pounds, tailor-made for the modern pass rusher, and he has athleticism and traits that can’t be coached. He’s the No. 24 edge rusher in the class and could make a big jump with a dominant junior season on a defensive line that features another top-40 edge rusher in Fameitau Siale.

Schwerzel visited Michigan State unofficially to attend a camp and was impressed with the Spartans.

Harris is probably an underdog, but he’s one of the best tight end prospects in the class, and tight ends coach Brian Wozniak knows how to recruit top tight ends. The 6-foot-6, 235-pound Harris is the 24th-ranked prospect in the class, according to the 247Sports Composite.

He has offers from pretty much everyone who’s anyone. He visited Michigan State in June and was “surprised.” He liked Wozniak, and the tight end’s vertical play on the Smith-led Spartans is also a big plus for him.

“At some schools, most of the tight ends run routes that are just a hitch or five yards long without even going downfield,” Harris told me. “I’ve liked all the really cool ways Michigan State does it.”

Harris said he also liked Smith’s success story.

Michael France is Sports Illustrated’s Michigan State recruiting reporter and covers all things Big Ten recruiting for Spartan Nation. Follow him on Twitter/X@michaelfrancesi for exclusive coverage of the Spartans’ recruiting.

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