2027 three-star Illinois linebacker Henry Sakalas commits to Michigan State
MSU earns its ninth overall commitment and second pledge from an official visitor.
The Michigan State football program hosted a massive official visit weekend from May 29 through 31 — the first of four consecutive such weekends — and the Spartans' efforts have paid off, as three-star Illinois linebacker Henry Sakalas has committed to the Green and White.
The 6-foot-4, 195-pound Sakalas is a fast-rising athlete who currently attends Nazareth Academy in La Grange, Illinois.
Michigan State offered Sakalas on May 13 following a workout, as defensive coordinator Joe Rossi and co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Max Bullough visited Sakalas and evaluated him in person during the contact person. Things progressed quickly from there. Sakalas wasted no time in getting to East Lansing for his official visit this past weekend. That trip solidified everything he needed to know, as Sakalas felt comfortable enough to pledge to MSU despite other schools heavily pursuing him.
When he arrives at MSU in 2027, Sakalas will be mentored by Rossi, Bullough, head coach Pat Fitzgerald, assistant linebackers coach Chris Gordon and the rest of the staff.
While he is listed as a three-star safety by multiple recruiting services, Sakalas is expected to play linebacker for the Spartans. According to 247Sports Composite rankings, he ranks as the No. 855 prospect overall, No. 87 safety and No. 30 recruit in the state of Illinois for the 2027 cycle. Comparatively, the On3/Rivals Industry rankings see Sakalas as the No. 969 recruit nationally, No. 102 safety and No. 36 player in Illinois.
The biggest competition for Michigan State was expected to be Illinois, the in-state program for Sakalas, along with Nebraska. Sakalas was scheduled to take official visits with both the Fighting Illini (June 5 through June 7) and the Cornhuskers (June 12 through June 14). Those trips will no longer take place.
In addition to Michigan State, Illinois and Nebraska, Sakalas received scholarship offers from Minnesota, West Virginia, Army, New Mexico, San Diego State, Toledo, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Miami (OH), Cornell, Dartmouth, Yale and others.
Sakalas becomes the ninth overall prospect to commit to MSU in the 2027 class. He is the second linebacker to be added to the group, along with fellow three-star Illinois product Matthew Brady.
He joins Brady and the other MSU 2027 commits, including four-star defensive end Ohimai Ozolua (who also plays his high school ball in Illinois), 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 linemen Grant Adloff and three-star offensive tackle Jack Carlson thus far.
