Michigan State to host 2026 Ohio ATH Emoni Smith for Spartan Dawg Con
Michigan State football recruiting is beginning to heat back up, and with it, so is the Spartans’ pursuit of Ohio recruits. Next weekend, the Spartan staff will host several Ohio high school targets for their fourth annual Spartan Dawg Con, including 2026 three-star athlete Emoni Smith, of Galloway (Ohio) Westland High School.
Smith is the No. 532 overall player in the 2026 class, per the On3 Industry Rankings. He’s also the No. 44 athlete and the No. 24 player from Ohio in his class.
Smith is a recent addition to the Spartan Dawg Con visitor list, joining fellow Columbus-area prospect Kaden Gebhardt. 2025 three-star wide receiver commit Braylon Collier, 2026 four-star linebacker Storm Miller, 2026 three-star defensive lineman Jamarcus Whyce and 2026 defensive back RJ Holland round out the other confirmed guests from the Buckeye state.
Since taking over in late November, Michigan State’s new staff has prioritized Ohio more on the recruiting trail. The Spartans’ efforts are led by tight ends coach Brian Wozniak, who grew up in the state.
“I think Ohio is really talented and definitely underrated when it comes to rankings,” Smith said. “I think it’s great that MSU is getting back in here. Look at when they were good, they had a ton of Ohio boys.”
Michigan State’s initial contact with 2026 recruits began on June 15 and lasted for only a short period of time before the dead period. That was when the staff first contacted Smith and began to build a relationship with him. The Spartans, however, have yet to offer Smith.
“They contacted me on the June 15 date and it’s just been building since then,” Smith said. “Coach (Chris) Gordon and coach Austin (D’Armond) have both been great with me so far.”
Most of the schools recruiting Smith, including Michigan State, view him as a defensive back. He told SpartanMag that he has had a few conversations with Spartan secondary coach Blue Adams, but he’s looking forward to meeting head coach Jonathan Smith the most when he comes to campus next weekend.
“I’ve heard some great things about coach Smith and I can’t wait to meet him in person,” Smith said. “If you look at what he did at Oregon State, you know he has what it takes to coach at Michigan State.”
Though next weekend will mark Smith’s first visit to Michigan State, he does have some connections to the state already.
“I have quite a few cousins and relatives up in Michigan,” Smith said. “We go up and visit in the summer every year so it’ll be cool going up there and maybe going to college there one day.”
Before he makes his way to Spartan Dawg Con on July 27, Smith will first visit West Virginia on July 25 and Louisville on July 26.
“It’s my last recruiting road trip of the summer, so I had to end it with a ‘bang’” Smith said. “I’m really grateful for all the schools recruiting me, but after this I’m just going to focus on starting my high school season and making a statement out there.”
Photo courtesy Emoni Smith via Twitter.
The post Michigan State to host 2026 Ohio ATH Emoni Smith for Spartan Dawg Con appeared first on On3.
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