2027 three-star Colorado tight end Ryan Pankey commits to Michigan State

Michigan State continues to add to its 2027 recruiting class following another strong weekend of official visits, as Colorado three-star tight end Ryan Pankey has committed to the Spartans.

Pankey, who currently plays for Montrose High School in the Centennial State, was in East Lansing for his official visit during the weekend of June 5 through June 7.

He will play under head coach Pat Fitzgerald, offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan, tight ends coach Brian Wozniak, assistant tight ends coach Jacob Lail and the rest of the MSU staff throughout his college career.

Wozniak has built a strong relationship with Pankey. The tight end took a visit to Michigan State on April 11 to watch the Spartans compete in spring ball. During the contact period in April, Wozniak saw Pankey in Colorado on multiple occasions. MSU eventually offered Pankey a scholarship on May 23.

According to the On3/Rivals Industry rankings, Pankey currently ranks as the No. 1,320 overall prospect, No. 73 tight end and No. 10 recruit in Colorado in the 2027 cycle. Meanwhile, Pankey ranks as the No. 1,361 overall prospect, No. 109 athlete and No. 10 recruit in the state of Colorado, per the 247Sports Composite rankings.

In addition to Michigan State, Pankey received scholarship offers from Colorado State, Oregon State, Washington State, Navy, New Mexico State, San Diego State, UNLV, Wyoming, Kent State and others. He took an official visit to CSU from May 29 through May 31, and previously had official visits booked with WSU and OSU as well, but he is no longer expected to take those trips.

With Pankey now in the group, MSU's 2027 class grows to 13 total scholarship commits. Pankey is the first tight end to pledge to the Spartans.

Pankey joins four-star defensive end Ohimai Ozolu, three-star wide receiver Zach Forbish, three-star EDGE Lawrence Kanneh, three-star cornerback Cordaro Parham, three-star linebacker Henry Sakalas, three-star linebacker Matthew Brady, three-star quarterback Eli Stumpf, three-star safety Ty'ire Clark, three-star EDGE Jack Schuler, three-star running back Savior Owens, three-star offensive tackle Jack Carlson and three-star offensive linemen Grant Adloff.

Michigan State also has a preferred walk-on commitment from 2027 wide receiver Brendan Fitzgerald, who is the son of head coach Pat Fitzgerald.

While Pankey will focus on the offensive side of the ball at the college level, he is also a strong defender for the Redhawks. As a junior in 2025, Pankey recorded an impressive 84 total tackles and 25 tackles for loss. He earned 2025 CHSAA 4A first-team All-State honors for his efforts.

The 6-foot-6, 235-pound Pankey also plays basketball and baseball for Montrose High School.