Michigan State’s 2026 recruiting class continued its surge on June 14, 2025, when three‑star cornerback TJ Umenyiora, from Roswell, Georgia, committed to the Spartans . This addition marks MSU’s 13th commit in the cycle—and the fourth defensive back—demonstrating the Spartans’ defensive focus this month .
Umenyiora, a 6‑foot‑2, 185‑pound standout at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School, is currently ranked No. 87 among cornerbacks in his class by 247Sports Composite and holds additional rankings from On3 and Rivals that place him within the Top 100 nationally . His commitment came after an impressive official visit to East Lansing from June 6–8, which followed visits to Auburn, Northwestern, and Mississippi State .
Umenyiora chose Michigan State over competitive offers from Auburn and Georgia Tech, among others . One major influencing factor was his connection with the MSU staff—particularly cornerbacks coach Blue Adams. He shared that his bond with Coach Blue “knows me on a deeper level than just football,” calling Michigan State “home” after spending time on campus .
The legacy factor adds significance: Umenyiora is the son of former NFL Pro Bowler and two‑time Super Bowl champion Osi Umenyiora, who recorded 10 forced fumbles in the 2010 season . Osi played 12 NFL seasons and brings a rich pedigree—and mentorship—to his son’s recruitment journey .
With TJ on board, Michigan State’s class has now strengthened with 13 total commits, nine of which came post-official-visit season—and eight on defense alone . Analysts and insiders see this defensive haul, including Umenyiora, as key to elevating the program’s competitiveness under head coach Jonathan Smith .
Looking ahead, Michigan State still has official visits planned and is expected to land more commitments before summer ends. But the addition of TJ Umenyiora signals not just depth, but increasing momentum—and the value of recruiting legacy talent on the rise in East Lansing.
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