Michigan State gets commitment from coveted 2027 Chicago four-star DL Ohimai Ozolua
Ozolua is a big priority target for MSU head coach Pat Fitzgerald and defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere III. Read more here.
Michigan State earned a big victory on the recruiting trail on Saturday, as highly-coveted 2027 Chicago four-star defensive lineman Ohimai Ozolua announced his commitment to the Spartans on Friday.
Ozolua took two consecutive visits to East Lansing earlier this spring, as he was on campus during the weekends of March 28 and April 4. He also visited MSU in January, shortly after earning a scholarship offer from the Spartans. Ozolua also has an official visit scheduled with Michigan State for the weekend of May 29 through May 31.
Once he arrives at Michigan State, Ozolua will learn under head coach Pat Fitzgerald, defensive coordinator Joe Rossi, defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere III and the rest of the staff.
MSU made it clear to the St. Rita of Cascia High School athlete that he was a top priority in the defensive trenches.
“The staff and players there treat me like family,” Ozolua told Spartans Illustrated about his decision to commit to Michigan State.
According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Ozolua ranks as the No. 407 prospect nationally, No. 49 defensive lineman and No. 15 recruit in Illinois in the 2027 class. Meanwhile, the Rivals/On3 Industry rankings list Ozolua as the No. 411 overall prospect, No. 43 defensive lineman and No. 16 player in his home state. Ozolua now becomes Michigan State's highest-rated 2027 commit, and the first four-star prospect in its class.
Many other programs pursued Ozolua. He has received scholarship offers from Michigan, Ohio State, Miami (FL.), Penn State, Tennessee, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota, Purdue, Wisconsin, Vanderbilt, Kansas State, Boston College and Toledo.
Ozolua released a list of five finalists on March 29, which included Michigan State, Ohio State, Michigan, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
He took a visit to Madison earlier this week to see the Badgers, but ultimately, Ozolua has decided to become a future Spartan.
Ozolua previously told Spartans Illustrated that he was planning to take an official visit to Michigan as well. That trip to Ann Arbor is no longer expected to take place, however.
At the college level, Ozolua most likely projects as a strong-side defensive end, but he can be moved around. He will likely play many reps as a five-technique, but has the versatility to play in the interior of the defensive line in certain situations as well.
He is considered to have a high ceiling, as Ozolua is still new to football. He played his junior season at Romeoville High School in Illinois, which was his first year of playing football in his life. He will play his senior season at St. Rita of Cascia in Chicago.
Prior to playing football, the 6-foot-5, 245-pound Ozolua focused on playing basketball. He also excels in the classroom with a 3.8 grade point average.
With Ozolua adding to the group, Michigan State's 2027 recruiting class has reached six total commitments as of now. He is the first defensive lineman, and second player on the defensive side of the ball, to pledge to the Spartans. Ozolua joins three-star safety Ty'ire Clark, three-star offensive tackle Jack Carlson, three-star quarterback Eli Stumpf, three-star offensive lineman Grant Adloff and three-star running back Savior Owens.
