Michigan State football is making a serious push for one of the top in-state talents in the 2027 recruiting class, securing an official visit with four-star tight end Anthony Cartwright. The Spartans are among five finalists for the standout from Franklin, Michigan, alongside Michigan, Miami (FL), LSU, and Oregon—a lineup that underscores just how hotly contested this recruitment has become.
According to On3's Allen Trieu, Cartwright has scheduled his official visit to Michigan State for May 29, giving the Spartans the first opportunity to roll out the green carpet during the official visit season. He'll follow that up with trips to Miami on June 5 and Oregon on June 19, all leading up to his announced commitment date of June 28. For a program looking to build momentum on the recruiting trail, getting that early crack at impressing a prospect of Cartwright's caliber is a significant win.
Cartwright brings impressive credentials to the table. Ranked as the No. 20 tight end nationally and the No. 8 player in Michigan for the 2027 class, he carries a 247Sports composite rating of 89.33 and is listed as the No. 389 overall prospect in the country. Those numbers reflect a player who could develop into a matchup nightmare at the next level—a blend of size and athleticism that every top program covets at the tight end position.
The Spartans have been in this race for a while, having extended an offer to Cartwright back in October 2023—nearly three years before his scheduled visit. He's since collected offers from nearly 40 schools, but Michigan State's persistence is paying off as they get him on campus for a critical evaluation period. With all five finalists being major national programs, locking in this visit is a necessary step to keep the Spartans in contention and potentially sway the talented tight end to stay home.
For Michigan State fans, this is a positive sign that the coaching staff is competing at a high level for elite in-state talent. Landing a commitment from Cartwright would be a statement win for the program's 2027 class, and the May 29 visit could be the first big step toward making that happen.