Michigan State has offered a scholarship to William Howard, a running back prospect from Philadelphia who ranks among the top 25 at his position nationally in the 2028 recruiting class. Howard confirmed the offer on Wednesday via social media, citing a direct conversation with Michigan State’s running backs coach Devon Spalding as the catalyst.
Howard, rated as a high-end three-star recruit with a composite score of 88.50 by 247Sports, holds the No. 25 spot among running backs and is the No. 14 overall player from Pennsylvania in his class. He is ranked No. 430 nationally. Michigan State is among the first programs to extend an offer, joining Kentucky, Penn State, Syracuse, and Pitt in pursuing the Philadelphia native.
On his X account, Howard wrote, “After a great conversation with @CoachSpalding_ I’m grateful to receive my 7th offer from Michigan State University!!” The message included tags to Michigan State football accounts and teammates, signaling his excitement about the new opportunity.
Michigan State’s interest in Howard follows the Spartans’ efforts to strengthen their backfield depth as they build toward future seasons. Coach Spalding’s direct engagement appears to have made a strong impression on the prospect, accelerating the offer process.
Howard’s recruitment has attracted attention across the Power Five landscape, with schools well-known for their competitive running back development already in the mix. His combination of size, speed, and agility has drawn praise, and his rising stock in the 2028 class continues to generate buzz.
The Spartans’ offer adds to a growing list of scholarship opportunities for Howard, who now has seven offers on the table. This early momentum places him among the more sought-after running backs in his region.
William Howard’s decision will be closely watched as the 2028 recruiting cycle progresses, with Michigan State positioning itself as a significant contender for his commitment. The next steps will likely include official visits and further evaluations by coaching staff from all interested programs.
This development comes as Michigan State continues to expand its recruiting reach nationally, seeking prospects capable of contributing at the collegiate level. Howard’s offer is one of several recent moves to secure talent ahead of the 2028 signing periods.
For ongoing updates on Michigan State football recruiting and news, follow The SpartansWire on X and Facebook, or keep track through reporter Robert Bondy’s coverage on X at @RobertBondy5.
According to Yahoo Sports.