Michigan State signs 2026 four-star wide receiver Samson Gash
Gash originally committed to MSU in June, but didn't sign during the early period. Now he is officially a Spartan. More here.
The Michigan State football program has officially signed class of 2026 four-star wide receiver Samson Gash.
It was a highly-contested recruitment for the Detroit Catholic Central High School (Novi, Michigan) standout, but ultimately, he decided to become a Spartan. He will play under head coach Pat Fitzgerald, offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan, wide receivers coach Courtney Hawkins and the rest of the MSU staff.
Gash has been a longtime commit for the Spartans, as he originally pledged to Michigan State on June 24, 2025, shortly after his first official visit with the program during the weekend of June 13, 2025. That was under then-head coach Jonathan Smith and then-offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren, however. Following Smith's firing and the hiring of Fitzgerald, Gash opted not to sign with MSU during the early signing period in December of 2025.
In addition to the coaching change, Gash was being pursued by several other programs. West Virginia made a big push to sign Gash during the early period, while Penn State and Georgia both offered Gash this past December. Alabama was also heavily involved with Gash, as he took an official visit with the Crimson Tide in October of 2025. However, his primary recruiter at Alabama — assistant head coach co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard — was hired as Oregon State's head coach and things cooled off with the Crimson Tide. Meanwhile, Wisconsin offered Gash a scholarship during the 2025 season as well.
As the February signing period drew closer, it became a two-school race for Gash between Michigan State and Penn State. He took an official visit with the Nittany Lions, led by newly-hired head coach Matt Campbell, on Jan. 24 and Jan. 25. Of note, Gash's father, Sam Gash, played collegiately at Penn State.
Michigan State was able to get Gash back to East Lansing for an official visit during the weekend of Jan. 30. Due to the head coaching change, Gash was permitted to take a second official visit with MSU, and it was his final trip before the February signing period opened. The Spartans were able to lock Samson Gash in and eventually get his signature. Of note, Fitzgerald retained Hawkins, Samson Gash's primary recruiter, from the Smith staff. The two have built a strong relationship, as Hawkins will be his college position coach.
As a senior in 2025, Samson Gash recorded 1,700 total yards and 18 total touchdowns, as he helped the Shamrocks to a perfect 14-0 record and a Division I state championship. Samson Gash earned All-State honors for his efforts. He was also invited to play in the Polynesian Bowl in January, where he was a standout performer throughout the week of practice.
The four-star wide receiver ranks as the No. 245 overall prospect, No. 39 wide receiver and No. 6 recruit in the state of Michigan, according to the Rivals Industry rankings. Meanwhile, the 247Sports Composite rankings list him as the No. 289 player overall, No. 47 wide receiver and No. 6 prospect in Michigan.
Outside of the schools already mentioned, Samson Gash had additional scholarship offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, Iowa, Purdue, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest and several others.
In addition to football, Samson Gash is an accomplished track and field athlete. He won a Division 1 state championship in the 100-meter dash as a junior, setting a state of Michigan record with a time of 10.41 seconds.
Samson Gash joins three-star prospect Zachary Washington, three-star prospect Rai'Shawn Elmore and preferred walk-on Colin Charles at the wide receiver position in Michigan State's 2026 recruiting class.
Samson Gash comes from a talented family. In addition to his father suiting up for Penn State and playing multiple seasons in the NFL, his mother, Alicia Gash, played volleyball at New Mexico. His older brother, Caleb Gash, currently plays defensive back and special teams for MSU. He has two other older brothers who are accomplished athletes as well: Isaiah Gash played running back for Michigan, while Elijah Gash is a professional lacrosse player. Meanwhile, his younger brother, Gideon Gash is a four-star defensive back in the 2027 class.
Gideon Gash is a target for MSU as well. He joined Samson Gash on the visit to MSU this past weekend, and is a priority under Fitzgerald and the new coaching staff. Gideon Gash was previously offered by the Smith staff as well.
