News Summary

Michigan State University (MSU) has announced a significant commitment from three-star EDGE prospect Cory House from Memphis, Tennessee, for the 2026 recruiting class. House, who is 6-foot-5 and weighs 240 pounds, chose MSU after a visit to East Lansing. This comes after MSU lost 2025 running back recruit Jace Clarizio to Alabama. The news highlights the competitive recruiting landscape and the importance of retaining local talent for the MSU football program as they prepare for the upcoming signing period.

East Lansing, Michigan – Michigan State University (MSU) has secured a commitment from Cory House, a three-star EDGE prospect from Memphis, Tennessee, for the 2026 class. The announcement came via House’s social media channels, marking a significant addition to MSU’s future recruiting efforts.

House, who stands at 6-foot-5 and weighs 240 pounds, chose Michigan State following a visit to East Lansing during the weekend of June 6. He has been a priority for the Spartans, especially under the guidance of Rush Ends coach Chad Wilt. After evaluating his options, House decided to commit to MSU after canceling visits to North Carolina and Indiana, as well as his hometown team, the Memphis Tigers. This commitment comes after receiving 28 scholarship offers and being ranked as a top-70 EDGE player nationally in the 247Sports positional rankings with an 87 rating.

This commitment is viewed positively for MSU, which has recently faced a setback. The Spartans lost 2025 running back recruit Jace Clarizio to Alabama. Clarizio, who previously committed to MSU in May, made his decision public on social media shortly after being offered by Alabama during a visit. Recognized as the No. 37 running back in the 2025 class and measuring 6-foot and 190 pounds, Clarizio’s switch highlighted a competitive recruiting landscape.

Clarizio’s commitment to Alabama came just one day after MSU secured a commitment from another running back, Zion Gist. Gist had initially been committed to Western Michigan before deciding to join MSU following a game visit against Purdue. Currently, MSU’s 2025 recruiting class boasts 15 commitments but has a national ranking of 61st according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

In addition to the loss of Clarizio, local recruiting trends have raised concerns for MSU. Clarizio’s father, Craig Johnson, was a former player for MSU, having been part of the Rose Bowl-winning team in 1987 under coach George Perles. This connection further emphasized the significance of his flip to Alabama. The trend of local recruits opting for rival teams has grown, with notable examples like receiver Andrel Anthony, who transferred from Michigan after initially committing to the Wolverines.

The upcoming early signing period for prep players is scheduled for December 4 to December 6, 2025, making it crucial for MSU to solidify its commitments and retain prospects. The recent recruiting dynamics, particularly the loss of Clarizio, alongside the addition of House, have sparked discussions among fans and analysts about the future direction of MSU’s football program.

House’s commitment signifies a potential turning point for the Spartans as they aim to strengthen their roster with young talent while navigating challenges in retaining local recruits. The focus will now shift to how MSU continues to build its recruiting class leading up to the signing date.