Michigan State lands 2025 in-state linebacker Charles White
2025 in-state linebacker Charles White announced his commitment to Michigan State during a ceremony at Orchard Lake (Mich.) St. Mary’s High School on Saturday.
White (6-3, 190) has been a top priority for Michigan State since head coach Jonathan Smith personally extended him an offer during a visit to his school last December. He was one of the new staff’s fist 2025 offers following their arrival in East Lansing.
White committed to Michigan State over Boston College, Kansas and Purdue. He held additional offers from Penn State, Nebraska, and Pittsburgh, among others.
A three-star recruit, White is the No. 554 overall prospect and No. 10 player from Michigan in his class, per the On3 Industry Rankings. On3 ranks White as the No. 47 linebacker in the 2025 class.
White racked up 76 tackles, eight tackles for loss and two forced fumbles during the 2023 season.
White is a three-sport athlete for Orchard Lake St. Mary’s. Aside from football, he also runs track and is a standout wrestler. Michigan State’s staff appreciates multi-sport versatility when evaluating recruits.
White was previously scheduled to take official visits to each of his finalists, but he will now only visit Michigan State. That visit is scheduled for June 7. White previously visited Michigan State for its Feb. 3 junior day event and for two spring practices in April. He has developed a close relationship with Spartan defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Joe Rossi over the last few months.
“(Rossi) showed me what he likes his linebackers to do,” White previously told SpartanMag. “He likes how I use my angles to tackle, how I am a sideline-to-sideline type of player and very athletic. He likes my field vision and ball-chasing abilities.”
“There were a lot of people there but I talked to almost every coach on the defensive side of the ball,” White continued, referring to his junior day visit. “The defensive coordinator, linebackers coach, corners coach, safeties coach, head coach, everyone. So they did a good job with it.”
The Spartans are also recruiting three of White’s high school teammates in tight end Jayden Savoury, wide receiver Bryson Williams and offensive lineman Antonio Johnson. Savoury will take an official visit to Michigan State on May 31.
“If we all went to Michigan State, Michigan State would win the national championship,” White said. “There are a lot of athletic guys in Michigan. Seeing all the other recruits that have offers from Michigan State that I am working out with, it is a very good scene.”
White becomes Michigan State’s second 2025 commitment. He joins quarterback Leo Hannan, who committed to the Spartans on Monday. Hannan will also take an official visit to East Lansing on June 7. A three-star recruit, Hannan is the No. 817 overall prospect in the 2025 class, per the On3 Industry Rankings. He is also the No. 49 quarterback and No. 63 recruit from California in his class.
