Kory Amachree, Michigan State’s new football talent, talks about recruiting

Kory Amachree is one of Michigan’s best running backs in the class of 2026. He is the eighth-best player in the state and the No. 30 running back, according to 247Sports.

The Haslett High School product is a 12-minute drive from his hometown Michigan State Spartans. But that doesn’t guarantee they’ll have a better chance of getting him, he told me.

The Spartans have been interested in Amachree for some time, even before the Jonathan Smith era began in East Lansing. Amachree said he knew an offer was coming from the previous staff, but when the new staff arrived, he was invited for an unofficial visit in February and then he was given the offer.

“I was happy about that,” Amachree said. “It was definitely great. I mean, any offer is a great opportunity. I wouldn’t say it was totally different from any other offer, because of course I still have to evaluate everything.”

Amachree has contacted Keith Bhonapha, the running back coach at Michigan State University, who he said is a down-to-earth, genuine person.

“He always remains authentic,” said Amachree. “I think that’s one of the great things about him, I know his story. So we understand each other not only on a football level.”

Geography isn’t the only thing that connects Amachree to the Green and Whites. Amachree’s father, Opuene, played running back at Michigan State under head coach George Perles. Amachree said his father gave him tips about playing the position.

“As far as the fundamentals go, he really just tells me to stick to the fundamentals,” Amachree said. “He’s always trying to help me with my vision, and since I was a kid, he’s always thrown stuff at me, just random little things like that, like focusing on my fingers and the little things that it takes to be a running back and catch the ball and stuff. He’s always kind of instilled in me since I was a kid what it means to be a running back.”

However, when it comes to recruitment, he said he will not let his father intimidate him.

“He tries to leave the decision up to me. Of course he gives me a few tips here and there, but honestly he doesn’t really help me,” said Amachree.

Amachree said he is more of a complete running back who can take the ball, shake off defenders or run through them. He is fast enough to get to the next level, but he wants to get even faster. He said he wants to win a championship in college.

Amachree has 29 offers, including from Wisconsin, Arizona State and Purdue, to name a few. His brother Nakai plays running back at Bowling Green.

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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