The biggest part of the recruiting calendar is just around the corner, with May 30th marking the start of the summer official visit season. Summer official visits are an integral part of the process in landing recruits, and it will be the month with the most recruits visiting during the year.
Michigan State and second year head coach Jonathan Smith are gearing up to add to their 2026 recruiting class, and continue building the foundation that Smith is attempting to create in East Lansing.
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In this series, we will be breaking down what each position group looks like, and what prospects fans should be monitoring as the official visit season gets ready to begin.
Starting off will be the running back position, where the Spartans will look to position themselves in a favorable spot with one or two prospects for the 2026 class. Here are five running backs that Michigan State is in the mix for, with June right around the corner:
4-star Kory Amachree
Haslett’s Kory Amachree runs for a touchdown against DeWitt during the second quarter on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Haslett High School.
The No. 1 running back prospect on the board for MSU is Kory Amachree from nearby Haslett (MI). The in-state 4-star prospect is being pursued as the headliner of the 2026 class, and is of the upmost priority for Smith and RBs coach Keith Bhonpha. The Spartans will host Amachree on an official visit on June 1.
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MSU is battling this recruitment out against Michigan, Indiana, Pitt and Northwestern.
4-star Ashton Rowden
Michigan State assistant head coach Keith Bhonapha looks on during the Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
The second running back prospect that the Spartans have an official visit locked up with is New Boston (TX) 4-star Ashton Rowden. The Spartans offered the prospect back in late March, and he took little time to schedule an official visit. A 4-star by 247Sports composite rankings, Rowden rushed for 1,337 yards and 14 touchdowns a year ago.
Michigan State is battling Arkansas, Kansas State, Minnesota and Texas Tech for the commitment of Rowden.
4-star Favour Akih
Delaware Hayes’s Favour Akih (2) runs the ball during the college football showcase at the Delaware Hayes High School on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in Delaware, Ohio.
A prospect that the Spartans staff has been recruiting since they got to East Lansing, Favour Akih may have fallen just out of reach for MSU. A Delaware (OH) native, Akih got the coveted in-state offer from Ohio State, who has now become the favorite to land the Hayes High School standout. MSU will continue to push to get the highly coveted prospect on campus.
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Miami, OSU and USC are the main factors in this recruitment, while MSU and Penn State are pushing to get themselves in the mix.
3-star Nelsyn Wheeler
Michigan State assistant head coach Keith Bhonapha calls out to players during football practice on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in East Lansing.
The latest Spartan offer at running back, Nelsyn Wheeler got the call from Michigan State just under a week ago, and now, it appears that he is attempting to schedule an official visit to East Lansing. A smaller prospect at 5-foot-9, 200 pounds, Wheeler is a standout RB and track athlete at Millard South High School in Omaha, Nebraska.
Cincinnati, Fresno State and Wisconsin currently have visits locked in with the Midwest running back. Michigan State will look to lock in a date soon.
Unranked – Sedric Addison
Michigan State assistant head coach Keith Bhonapha, left, talks with offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren during the Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Another recent offeree at the running back position, Sedric Addison is a prospect the Spartans have taken an interest to. A Suwanee (GA) native and standout at Peachtree Ridge High School, Addison has seen his recruitment have a small blow up in recent weeks.
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Boston College and Kansas State have scheduled official visits already, but MSU is alongside Duke, Georgia Tech and Kansas, for schools who are also looking to get into the mix.
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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Michigan State football is in the mix for five 2026 running backs
