Michigan State Becomes First Power Four School to Offer 2029 Linebacker

What will you be doing three years from now? If your answer is hopefully watching one of the top 2029 linebackers in the country don the green and white in East Lansing, then we may be on the same page. While most of the country spent Labor Day 2026 soaking up the final bits of summer, the Michigan State football coaching staff was already looking ahead. For many, the holiday was a chance to recover from a weekend of college football, spend time with family and friends, prepare for fantasy football or fire up one last barbecue before summer officially disappeared. For the Spartans, however, it was another opportunity to work. With a Week 2 matchup against the Eastern Michigan Eagles approaching, Michigan State's coaching staff was also busy researching and communicating with future recruits. That work led to an offer for one of the most intriguing young linebackers in the 2029 recruiting class: Deyontay Gillespie. Michigan State Gets In Early on Gillespie Gillespie currently stands at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds and hails from Farrell, Pennsylvania, where he plays for Farrell High School. After just one season of high school football, Gillespie already has an eye-popping résumé. As a freshman, he recorded 156 total tackles, along with four forced fumbles and an interception. Gillespie has yet to receive a star rating from 247Sports, but after the type of freshman season he put together, it seems only a matter of time before more major programs begin to take notice. He has already received offers from Miami (Ohio), Kent State and Southern University. Now, Michigan State has entered the picture. The Spartans are the first Power Four program to offer Gillespie, giving head coach Pat Fitzgerald and his staff an early opportunity to build a relationship with a player who could become one of the premier defensive recruits in the 2029 class. And considering the importance Michigan State places on its linebacker room, it's easy to see why the Spartans were eager to get involved. A Perfect Fit at Linebacker? Every position on a defense plays an important role, but linebackers often serve as the heartbeat of a unit. That's especially true at Michigan State, where the position has a long history of producing physical, hard-nosed defenders. Max Bullough is one of the most recognizable examples. Now back with the Spartans, Bullough has played a major role in helping develop the next generation of Michigan State linebackers while also making an impact on the recruiting trail. He's already been involved with recruiting some of the program's upcoming defensive talent, including linebackers Matthew Brady and Henry Sakalas, while the Spartans also hope to see Jordan Hall emerge as a breakout player. Adding Gillespie to that group this early could be another major win for Bullough and the Michigan State coaching staff. And when you watch Gillespie play, the similarities in mentality are hard to miss. Gillespie Plays With an Edge Gillespie attacks the football with a relentless mentality. He's ferocious around the ball, isn't afraid to deliver a big hit and appears to genuinely enjoy the physical side of the game. For a freshman, his production is impressive enough. But it's the way he gets those tackles that makes his film stand out. One highlight, despite difficult and foggy conditions, shows Gillespie attacking the ball in the air and disrupting the receiver, ultimately turning the play into a turnover for Farrell. That's the type of instinct and aggression that coaches look for in a linebacker. He's quick, physical and constantly around the football. And perhaps most importantly, he plays with an energy that jumps off the screen. Michigan State Is Getting a Very Early Start The 2029 recruiting cycle is still years away, but that's exactly what makes this offer so interesting. Michigan State isn't waiting until Gillespie becomes a nationally known name before getting involved. Fitzgerald and his staff are trying to establish the relationship now. If Gillespie continues developing at the same rate, there's little doubt that more Power Four programs will eventually come calling. For Michigan State, getting there first could matter. The Spartans have made it clear that they want to build a physical, aggressive defense, and Gillespie certainly looks the part. It's far too early to predict where the talented linebacker will ultimately end up. But if you're looking for a young player who could eventually become a fixture in East Lansing, Gillespie is certainly worth keeping an eye on. And Michigan State appears to be doing exactly that.