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Michigan State football hauls in NFL legacy recruits TJ Umenyiora and Quinn Buckey for 2026 class
Photo by Adam Ruff/ Getty Images
When it comes to building a winning culture, Michigan State is leaning into legacy. Over the weekend, the Spartans added two more pieces to their 2026 recruiting puzzle—both with NFL pedigree.
TJ Umenyiora, a defensive back from Georgia and the son of two-time Super Bowl champion Osi Umenyiora, announced his commitment on Saturday, just one day after offensive lineman Quinn Buckey, the son of former NFL player Jeff Buckey, pledged his future to East Lansing. These back-to-back additions mark a pivotal moment in a red-hot June for the Spartans, who now have 13 players locked into their 2026 class.
TJ Umenyiora and Quinn Buckey—sons of former NFL players—join
Michigan State football
's rising
2026 recruiting class
loaded with talent and momentum
On Saturday, June 14, TJ Umenyiora revealed his college decision through a social media post, becoming the latest name to join
Michigan State
's 2026 recruiting class.
A 6-foot-1, 185-pound defensive back out of Blessed Trinity Catholic in Roswell, Georgia, Umenyiora is currently rated as one of the top 100 cornerbacks in his class, according to 247Sports Composite rankings. His decision follows a busy recruitment cycle that included official visits to Auburn, Mississippi State, and Northwestern, as well as a trip to Michigan State earlier in the month.
Umenyiora's father, Osi, carved out an 11-year NFL career after being drafted in the second round by the New York Giants in 2003.
He earned two Super Bowl rings and multiple All-Pro honors. Now, it's his son's turn to step into the spotlight. "This is just the beginning," TJ posted in his announcement, referencing his own journey.
Just 24 hours earlier, on Friday, June 13, three-star offensive lineman Quinn Buckey from California also made his pledge to Michigan State public. Buckey is the son of Jeff Buckey, who spent four seasons in the NFL as an offensive lineman.
The younger Buckey brings grit to the offensive front and adds balance to a class that continues to take shape on both sides of the ball.
Michigan State football's 2026 recruiting class surges with June commitments from NFL legacy prospects TJ Umenyiora and Quinn Buckey
The Spartans' 2026 recruiting class now includes 13 players, with nine of those commitments coming in June alone. Leading the way in Michigan State's 2026 class are two standout four-star recruits—quarterback Kayd Coffman and offensive lineman Collin Campbell. With the addition of TJ Umenyiora, the Spartans now have four defensive backs committed on that side of the ball, joining KJ Deriso, Brayden Thomas, and Eliyjah Caldwell-Hardy in the secondary.
This recent momentum shows that Michigan State isn't just focused on athletic potential—it's banking on lineage, leadership, and legacy. With names like Umenyiora and Buckey on board, it's clear that pedigree still matters in the college football arms race.
When the sons of NFL veterans choose your program, it says something about trust, tradition, and future potential. Michigan State may be building for 2026, but the foundation is already taking shape this summer. And if June is any indication, the Spartans are just getting started.
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