Michigan State receives PWO commitment from 2026 QB Peyton Babbitt

The Michigan State Spartans have received a preferred walk-on (PWO) commitment from 2026 in-state quarterback Peyton Babbitt.

MSU officially announced the addition of Babbitt on Wednesday.

Homegrown in Muskegon, Michigan, Babbitt previously committed to Saginaw Valley State in July of 2025. However, after a visit to East Lansing on Sunday, Feb. 1, Babbitt opted to decommit from SVSU and take a spot on MSU's 2026 roster. He will arrive as a true freshman this summer with all four years of eligibility to play.

While the decision to back off of his pledge to the Cardinals was a difficult one, playing for Michigan State has been a lifelong dream for Babbitt. The SVSU staff was supportive of his decision.

"Being a kid, everyone has their team they swear up and down they are going to play for when they are older — MSU happens to be mine," Babbitt said. "This past weekend was the toughest weekend of my life because of the decisions I had to make. But I am very confident God has led and will continue to lead me down the right path!"

It has not been an easy road for the 6-foot-2, 195-pound quarterback as he played for three high schools in his four-year prep career, including three schools in three consecutive years from 2022 through 2024. However, Babbitt persevered and found the best opportunity to highlight his talent and ability to run an offense at Orchard View High School in Muskegon in 2024 and 2025.

Babbitt spent his freshman year at Mona Shores High School (Norton Shores, Michigan) and his sophomore year at Muskegon High School (Muskegon, Michigan) before transferring to Orchard View ahead of his junior year.

As a senior, Babbitt was limited to just four games after breaking his left hand. The injury happened in the first game of the 2025 season and Babbitt was able to initially play through it with a club on his left hand before his campaign ultimately ended early. He recorded 957 total yards and 13 touchdowns on just 62 touches this past season. As a quarterback, Babbitt will bring dual-threat ability for the Spartans.

At Michigan State, Babbitt will play under head coach Pat Fitzgerald, offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan and the rest of the new MSU staff. Recently-hired quarterbacks coach Mike Bajakian is leaving the Spartans for a job with the NFL's Cleveland Browns. Also of note, former MSU assistant defensive line coach Antjuan Simmons took a job as linebackers coach at Saginaw Valley State, which is the program Babbitt originally planned to play for.

Football is not Babbitt’s only sport, as he also played varsity basketball for three years during high school. Babbitt also excels in the classroom with a 3.8 grade point average.