2026 Detroit Catholic Central RB Cedric Williams Jr. commits to Michigan State as PWO
Michigan State is adding a productive in-state running back to its roster. More on Williams.
With the the regular signing period now open, the Michigan State football program is continuing to add to its 2026 roster. On Wednesday, the Spartans earned a pledge from class of 2026 preferred walk-on running back Cedric Williams Jr.
MSU officially announced the addition of Williams on Wednesday.
At MSU, Williams will play under head coach Pat Fitzgerald, offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan, running backs coach Devon Spalding and the rest of the new staff.
The Detroit Catholic Central High School standout was offered a roster spot as a preferred walk-on by the Spartans on Jan. 28. He also received a PWO offer from the previous Michigan State regime under then-head coach Jonathan Smith.
Williams had scholarship offers from Davenport and Saginaw Valley State at the Division II level. However, he has chosen to take a roster spot with the Spartans instead.
"I think what ultimately made me want to be a Spartan was the coaching staff and the culture they want to build," Williams told Spartans Illustrated. "They value you both as a player and a person. Coach Spalding has really shown how great of a guy and coach he is over these past couple weeks and the relationship we’ve built was a big part of my decision."
Spalding visited Detroit Catholic Central in January and quickly built a bond with Williams. It was clear to Williams that the Spartans truly wanted him as a part of the team.
Williams last visited East Lansing during the 2025 football season. He plans to get back to Michigan State in the spring after the dead period on the recruiting calendar lifts.
The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Williams is coming off of an extremely productive senior season with the Shamrocks. In 2025, he rushed 190 times for 1,261 yards (6.6 yards per carry) and 13 touchdowns, and did not fumble a single time. Williams earned All-Region accolades and All-Catholic honors, and he was named to MLive's Catholic High School League Football Dream Team for offense.
As a senior in 2025, Williams helped lead Detroit Catholic Central to a perfect 14-0 record, which culminated in a MHSAA Division 1 state championship for the Shamrocks.
Williams will not be the only Shamrock to join Michigan States roster in 2026. Fellow DCC athletes Samson Gash (four-star wide receiver) and Luca Genrich (preferred walk-on cornerback) will also arrive to East Lansing as true freshmen for the upcoming season.
Led by Spalding, MSU's running backs room in 2026 includes Cam Edwards, Marvis Parrish, Jaziun Patterson, Kenneth Williams, Brandon Tullis, Jace Clarizio, Zion Gist, Darrin Jones Jr. and Jaxon McCaig. Williams will look to compete and add depth to the group.
Of note, Williams has recorded a 40-yard dash time of 4.55 seconds. Off of the field, Williams is strong academically, boasting a 3.7 grade point average.
