Michigan State football earned a commitment to the 2026 class Friday from tight end Joey Caudill from Mansfield, Ohio.

Caudill is a 6-foot-4, 225-pound high school quarterback, but his size, athleticism and speed have drawn him attention as an athlete.

Michigan State landed its first commit of the 2026 cycle when New Lexington (Ohio) tight end Joey Caudill announced his commitment to the Spartans via social media on Friday. Caudill (6-5, 225) visited East Lansing for Michigan State’s junior day event during the weekend of Jan.

Joey Caudill, a 2026 three-star tight end from Lexington High School in Ohio, announced his commitment to the Spartans via social media on Friday. He picked up an offer from Michigan State earlier this month and was on campus last weekend for the program’s junior day.

Caudill's commitment kicks off the Spartans' 2026 class. Michigan State had been hitting the class hard since the summer, weening off from the 2025 class and turning its focus to the future. This marks a huge improvement from Coach Jonathan Smith's first full cycle in 2025 when he didn't receive his first commit until April.

Michigan State football kicked of their 2026 recruiting class on Friday, picking up a commitment from 3-star Joey Caudill. Caudill is listed as ‘ATH’ on 247Sports ‘ website, meaning he plays multiple positions. Caudill actually played quarterback for Lexington High School in Mansfield, Ohio, but most project him to be a tight end in college.