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Michigan State lands three-star Illinois wide receiver Zachary Washington

On3 imageby: Jason Killop06/16/25KillopOn3
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Michigan State added a high-priority wide receiver target in three-star Zachary Washington to its 2026 class Monday afternoon, fresh off of Washington’s weekend visit to West Virginia. His decision came down to Michigan State, Wisconsin, and West Virginia, and he took official visits to all three schools.

Washington took an official visit to East Lansing over the weekend of June 6. He held additional offers from Ole Miss, Miami (FL), Illinois, Minnesota and Missouri, among others.

Washington (6-2, 175) is the No. 689 recruit, No. 100 wide receiver and No. 17 player from Illinois in the 2026 class, per the On3 Industry Rankings. He totaled 1,450 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior last season.

Washington also visited Michigan State in March for a spring practice. He has connections to the Spartan program in the form of redshirt freshman quarterback Alessio Milivojevic, who played with Washington at Wheaton (Ill.) St. Francis High School.

“I got to speak with Coach Hawk after practice, and he was telling me how I was a top priority for them,” Washington previously told SpartanMag. “He said if I were to commit there, I would really help them and their offense with taking the top off. (Hawkins) likes my length and my speed. Also, my ability to just attack the ball at the highest point. They also like that.”

Washington becomes Michigan State’s 16th commitment in its 2026 class, and its first wide receiver commit. He’s joined by four longtime commitments in East Kentwood (Mich.) quarterback Kayd Coffman, North Branch (Mich.) offensive lineman Eli Bickel, Sioux Falls (S.D.) Jefferson tight end Eddie Whiting and Mansfield (Ohio) Lexington tight end Joey Caudill.

The Spartans also hold commitments from offensive tackles Quinn Buckey, of Bakersfield (Calif.), and Collin Campbell, of Gilbert (Ariz.) Williams Field, on the offensive side of the ball.

On defense, Michigan State holds commitments from Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edwards safety Brayden Thomas, Memphis (Tenn.) Whitehaven rush end Cory House, Frisco (Texas) Lone Star defensive tackle Christopher Knauls, Seattle (Wash.) O’Dea defensive end Fameitau Siale, Middletown (Ohio) safety Jordan Vann, Englewood (Colo.) Cherry Creek linebacker Braylon Hodge, Jacksonville (Fla.) Impact Christian safety Eliyjah Caldwell-Hardy and Georgia cornerbacks Kelsey Deriso and TJ Umenyiora.

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