Backfield Blitz: Spartans Host Surprise 4-Star Duo
Michigan State football quietly added two 4-star prospects—Deontay Malone from Massillon Washington and Gideon Gash from Detroit Catholic Central—to this weekend’s official visit list. Malone, a versatile athlete projected to slide into a WR role despite his CB listing on Rivals, boasts 34 receptions for 498 yards last season and offers from Michigan, Auburn, UNC and more. He’ll visit Ohio State next but keeps MSU in contention alongside fellow Massillon product Savior Owens. Gash, ranked inside the top 100 nationally and second in Michigan, projects at safety. He has official visits lined up with Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Alabama, though his family ties—two brothers already on campus—give the Spartans an edge.
In the great sport-of-playing-musical-recruits, MSU’s coaching staff deserves a trophy for last-minute grabs. Imagine frantic position coaches scrambling like toddlers at a toy swap, desperately waving official-visit invites at anyone within a 100-mile radius. Malone showing off punt returns and wide-receiver dreams? A sales pitch worthy of late-night infomercials. Gash following in his brothers’ footsteps? Because nothing says “dynasty” like a family reunion on the gridiron. Next thing you know, the Spartans will be hosting Mumford & Sons during halftime just to fill the schedule.
RB Royal Rumble: Tullis in Michigan State’s Crowded Backfield
Brandon Tullis returns to a retooled MSU running back room featuring four portal additions: Cam Edwards (RB1 after 1,240 yards), Jaziun Patterson, Marvis Parrish and Kenneth Williams. Tullis logged 69 carries for 301 yards and four TDs in 2025, plus 11 catches for 82 yards, but faces uncertain opportunities behind established transfers. His 234-lb frame suits short-yardage and goal-line work, though PFF flagged his pass-blocking at just 24.2. Offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan must mix packages to keep defenses guessing, pairing Tullis with pass-catching backs like Parrish for situational rotations.
Welcome to the RB Hunger Games, Spartan edition: four new transfers, one Tullis, zero guarantees. It’s like a corporate office with too many interns—all vying to fetch coffee, or in this case, awkwardly lumber through defensive fronts. Tullis is the muscle-bound sledgehammer for “three yards and a cloud of dust,” while the others practice their ballet for those elusive 15-yard gains. Coaches will rotate them like discounted kombucha flavors at a farmers’ market—equally confusing, equally overpriced. Don’t blink or you’ll miss the decathlon of pass-protecting, short-yardage accordion formations.
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