Michigan State is going back to its roots under Coach Jonathan Smith – local pipelines, Midwest grit, and legacy pride. However, the legacy pipeline, once lost under Mel Tucker, should’ve been a layup, especially for a certain 4-star defensive lineman out of Cypress Ranch (TX). After all, he’s the son of a Spartan. But now, things are getting interesting. A recent visit to Sherrone Moore’s Michigan has started to shift the narrative. While loyalty pulls one way, big dreams pull another, and just like that, a standout DL is caught between following his father’s path or forging a new one.

On April 6, Michigan recruiting insider EJ Holland dropped a nugget on X that Moore’s Michigan hosted a wave of elite underclassmen for unofficial visits. Among them? Amari Vickerson, the 4-star 2027 DL. It was his first trip to Ann Arbor—and it hit differently. You know, Vickerson’s family may be a Michigan State legacy, but after soaking in the Maize and Blue atmosphere, something shifted. Looks like he left with more than just photos; he left feeling inspired. And now, the son of a Spartan great, DT Kevin Vickerson, is making headlines with an emotional confession about the Wolverines.

So, Amari Vickerson’s first visit to Ann Arbor? A total game-changer. “The Michigan visit was very eye-opening… It was great. I got to see the town. I got to see the way they actually work. It was great to see that and how determined to beat Ohio State and everybody that they face,” added the standout DL. However, before the trip wrapped, Michigan made it official—an offer was on the table. And for Amari? It really hit differently, and he admitted:

“Getting the offer from Michigan was great. They recently won the national championship. Michigan is definitely an offer that I wanted to get. I’ve been waiting on that one for a long time. They just won a national championship. That offer meant a lot.”

But it wasn’t just the hype. On top of that, watching spring practice, he locked in on D-line coach Lou Esposito. “I like Coach Lou a lot. He’s a really good defensive line coach. I had a chance to talk to him before practice. He’s a really good guy. I really like Coach Espo and how they run things,” said Amari. So, one visit, one offer, and now, Michigan might just be making a serious move toward the Spartan legacy.

However, Amari Vickerson left Ann Arbor with more than just a Michigan offer—he left with a whole new perspective. Here, one moment hit differently: Meeting DC Wink Martindale, the same coach who once called plays for Amari’s dad, Kevin, during their time with the Denver Broncos. “That was really cool. I thought the way he ran the defense was really cool. I feel if I played at Michigan, I could flourish in that defense.” As of now, “They’re in my Top 10 right now,” revealed the 4-star DL. But why?

“Their defensive line production is mind-boggling to me. They have a lot of guys that have success. I like how they develop. They have great facilities and nutrition staff. They get you the right mentally and physically.”

Look, Kevin Vickerson may be a Michigan State legend, but his son Amari is writing his own story. But pump the brakes—this race isn’t over. Amari’s recruitment is stacked. He holds offers from Alabama, PSU, LSU, Texas, Michigan State, and more. The reason? Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing in at 260 pounds, he is ranked No. 11 among DL and No. 170 overall nationally by On3. But hold on, don’t sleep on the Spartans just yet. His East Lansing roots run deep—and that side of the story still has the power to turn heads.

The Michigan State roots of Amari Vickerson!

Amari Vickerson isn’t just connected to Michigan State—he grew up there. Well, his father, Kevin Vickerson, a Detroit native, started 19 games for the Spartans before carving out a career in the NFL. And for Amari, those East Lansing ties run deep. “I’ve been born into MSU. Since I was little, I’ve watched them play. When my dad was coaching, I’d be up there every other Saturday,” said Amari in February. So, Spartan Stadium wasn’t just a place he visited—it was part of his childhood. To be honest, the green and white? It’s in his blood.

So, Amari Vickerson isn’t just weighing offers—he’s carrying a legacy. And with 23 offers on the table, MSU holds a deeper meaning and as he said earlier in Feb: “What Michigan State means to me is more than just an offer. It’s a continued legacy—my father went there, my grandparents graduated from there. The torch is being passed down.”

The four-star DL is still keeping his recruitment wide open—for now. “My goal is to graduate early, hit camps, and work out. But I don’t know what school I’ll choose just yet,” he said.

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However, luckily for the Spartans, they’ve got a difference-maker in the trenches—defensive line coach Legi Suiaunoa. Well, he’s a recruiting machine with a knack for molding raw talent into game-ready beasts. As of now, the question looms: Can Suiaunoa reel in Amari Vickerson and keep the legacy alive in East Lansing? Or will Michigan close the deal?