Michigan State lands 2026 legacy LB recruit Adam Shaw

Michigan State continued to add to its 2026 recruiting class when it landed legacy linebacker recruit Adam Shaw after the Hillsdale (N.J.) Pascack Valley standout spent the weekend in East Lansing. Shaw announced his commitment via social media on Tuesday.

Shaw is the son of former Spartan offensive lineman Scott Shaw. His mother also attended Michigan State. Shaw held additional offers from Rutgers, Pittsburgh and Temple, among others.

Michigan State defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Joe Rossi offered Shaw during a visit to his high school in May. Shaw visited Rutgers earlier this month. He committed to the Scarlet Knights but quickly decommitted following the official visit.

In a Swiss Army knife role for Pasack Valley last fall, Shaw threw for 1,341 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for 1,021 yards and 15 touchdowns. He began the recruiting process as a quarterback, but transitioned to linebacker this offseason.

Shaw becomes Michigan State’s second 2026 linebacker commit, joining Englewood (Colo.) Cherry Creek standout Braylon Hodge.

“(Rossi) told me he likes athletic guys,” Shaw previously told SpartanMag. “He wants an athlete at linebacker. He wants some speed at linebacker. From what he told me, they want guys who can move quickly, change direction and just be athletic out there doing their thing.”

Shaw and Hodge join Roswell (Ga.) Blessed Trinity cornerback TJ Umenyiora, Fayetteville (Ga.) Whitewater cornerback Kelsey Deriso, Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edwards safety Brayden Thomas, Middletown (Ohio) safety Jordan Vann, Jacksonville (Fla.) Impact Christian safety Eliyjah Caldwell-Hardy, Frisco (Texas) Lone Star defensive tackle Christopher Knauls, Seattle (Wash.) O’Dea defensive end Famietau Siale and Memphis (Tenn.) Whitehaven rush end Cory House in Michigan State’s defensive class.

Michigan State also holds commitments from East Kentwood (Mich.) quarterback Kayd Coffman, Sioux Falls (S.D.) Jefferson tight end Eddie Whiting, Wheaton (Ill.) St. Francis wide receiver Zachary Washington, Mansfield (Ohio) Lexington tight end Joey Caudill, Bakersfield (Calif.) offensive lineman Quinn Buckey, Gilbert (Ariz.) Williams Field offensive lineman Collin Campbell, Freeland (Mich.) offensive tackle Tristian Comer and North Branch (Mich.) offensive lineman Eli Bickel on the offensive side of the ball.