Spartan Nation

BREAKING: Harlon Barnett, Michigan State land commitment from 2024 Tennessee DB

The Spartans land an overlooked prospect out of SEC country...

Matthew Lounsberry

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The uncertainty surrounding Michigan State's football program has made it difficult for the Spartans' coaching staff to hold on to commitments in the 2024 recruiting class.

MSU has suffered four decommitments since head coach Mel Tucker was fired amidst allegations of sexual misconduct, and Michigan State is expected to bring in someone new to lead the program next year.

That hasn't stopped interim head coach Harlon Barnett and the rest of the staff from working the recruiting trail, however. On Wednesday, the Spartans landed a commitment from Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Riverdale athlete Keshawn Williams, bring their class back to 10 verbal pledges.

Williams plays at the same high school as MSU cornerback commit Jaylen Thompson, who gave his pledge to the Spartans way back in December of last year. Williams is considered a three-star prospect by Rivals' and On3's recruiting service, but does not have a national ranking. 247Sports has not ranked him as a prospect.

Williams returned to the football field as a senior this season after missing all of his junior year with an ACL injury, which negatively impacted his recruitment. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder drew an offer from Michigan State on Oct. 6, after earning previous offers from Georgia Southern and four FCS-level programs — Eastern Kentucky, Tennessee Tech, Austin Peay and Tennessee State.

"I want to start by thanking God for blessing me with the ability to have this opportunity," Williams wrote in a social media post. "I want to thank my family and coaches for their love and support during my devastating injury last year. I also want to give a big thanks to Coach Barnett and the Michigan State family for allowing me to become a Spartan! #SpartanNation I'm home."

Williams is a two-way player listed as an "athlete" by recruiting services. He's played wide receiver in high school but MSU is recruiting him to play defensive back, most likely at cornerback.

With the addition of Williams, Michigan State's 2024 recruiting class sits at No. 75 in the country, according to 247Sports team composite rankings.

Michigan State Verbal Commitments, Class of 2024

  • Four-star WR Nick Marsh; River Rouge High School; River Rouge, Mich.; No. 105 nationally, No. 18 Wide Receiver, No. 3 in state of Michigan
  • Four-star RB Anthony Carrie; Carrollwood Day High School; Tampa, Fla.; No. 290 nationally, No. 20 running back, No. 40 in state of Florida
  • Three-star CB Jaylen Thompson; Riverdale High School; Murfreesboro, Tenn.; No. 537 nationally, No. 46 Cornerback, No. 12 in state of Tennessee
  • Three-star OT Mercer Luniewski; Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy; Cincinnati, Ohio; No. 699 nationally, No. 53 Offensive Tackle, No. 28 in state of Ohio
  • Three-star CB Justin Denson; La Salle Academy; Providence, R.I.; No. 734 nationally, No. 60 Cornerback, No. 21 in state of Pennsylvania
  • Three-star LB Jadyn Walker; Portage Northern High School; Portage, Mich.; No. 1116 nationally, No. 97 Linebacker, No. 19 in state of Michigan
  • Three-star QB Henry Hasselbeck; Xaverian Brothers High School; Westwood, Mass.; No. 1197 nationally, No. 66 quarterback, No. 6 in state of Massachusetts
  • Three-star IOL Charlton Luniewski; Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy; Cincinnati, Ohio; No. 1335 nationally, No. 104 Interior Offensive Lineman, No. 55 in state of Ohio
  • Three-star IOL Logan Bennett; St. Frances Academy; Baltimore, Mary.; No. 1367 nationally, No. 106 Interior Offensive Lineman, No. 39 in state of Maryland
  • Zero-star ATH Keshawn Williams; Riverdale High School; Murfreesboro, Tenn.; Unranked

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Matthew Lounsberry
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