Spartan Nation

BREAKING: Michigan State lands first high school recruit of Jonathan Smith era

The rebuild begins!

Matthew Lounsberry

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Michigan State football has landed a commitment from the high school ranks for the first time under new head coach Jonathan Smith.

On Tuesday, three-star McKinney (Texas) running back Makhi Frazier gave his verbal pledge to the Spartans, signaling a new era of Spartans football. Frazier chose MSU over offers from Arkansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Oregon State and Boise State, among others.

Frazier originally committed to Smith and Oregon State back on May 9 of this year, but he decommitted from the Beavers on Dec. 1 after Smith was hired by Michigan State. One week later, Frazier is a Spartan. New MSU running backs coach Keith Bhonapha, who followed Smith to East Lansing from Corvallis, was the primary recruiter for Frazier.

At 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds, Frazier is considered the No. 1575 overall prospect, No. 117 running back and No. 224 player out of the state of Texas, according to 247Sports' composite rankings.

Michigan State's 2024 recruiting class has been nearly cut in half after former head coach Mel Tucker was fired in late September. Prior to Frazier's commitment, the Spartans were down to just seven commitments in this current recruiting cycle. With National Signing Day approaching fast on Dec. 20, Smith and the Spartans have a lot of work to do to salvage a recruiting class for 2024.

Michigan State Verbal Commitments, Class of 2024

  • Four-star WR Nick Marsh; River Rouge High School; River Rouge, Mich.; No. 121 nationally, No. 20 Wide Receiver, No. 3 in state of Michigan
  • Three-star CB Jaylen Thompson; Riverdale High School; Murfreesboro, Tenn.; No. 536 nationally, No. 44 Cornerback, No. 11 in state of Tennessee
  • Three-star OT Mercer Luniewski; Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy; Cincinnati, Ohio; No. 707 nationally, No. 54 Offensive Tackle, No. 28 in state of Ohio
  • Three-star CB Justin Denson; La Salle Academy; Providence, R.I.; No. 739 nationally, No. 61 Cornerback, No. 20 in state of Pennsylvania
  • Three-star LB Jadyn Walker; Portage Northern High School; Portage, Mich.; No. 1062 nationally, No. 94 Linebacker, No. 17 in state of Michigan
  • Three-star IOL Charlton Luniewski; Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy; Cincinnati, Ohio; No. 1354 nationally, No. 104 Interior Offensive Lineman, No. 54 in state of Ohio
  • Three-star ATH Keshawn Williams; Riverdale High School; Murfreesboro, Tenn.; No. 1551 nationally, No. 142 Athlete, No. 49 in state of Tennessee
  • Three-star RB Makhi Frazier; McKinney High School; McKinney, Texas; No. 1575 nationally, No. 117 Running Back, No. 224 in state of Texas

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Matthew Lounsberry
MATTHEW LOUNSBERRY

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