2026 three-star wide receiver Rai'Shawn Elmore commits to Michigan State
MSU has received a commitment from 2026 three-star wideout Rai'Shawn Elmore, who recently decommitted from East Carolina. More details here.
Michigan State has received a commitment from 2026 three-star wide receiver Rai'Shawn Elmore. The Porter Ridge High School (Indian Trail, North Carolina) standout announced his pledge to the Spartans on Tuesday.
Elmore recently decommitted from East Carolina, as he declared on Nov. 15 that he backed off his pledge from the Pirates.
MSU has been recruiting Elmore for quite a while. He was offered by wide receivers coach Courtney Hawkins on May 22. Elmore quickly took a trip to East Lansing after that, as he officially visited Michigan State during the weekend of June 13 through June 15. However, he took an official visit to East Carolina the following weekend and committed to ECU on June 21.
Ultimately, however, Elmore has decided it is best for his future to become a Spartan and play under Hawkins ("Coach Hawk"), head coach Jonathan Smith, offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren and the rest of the staff, as things currently stand.
"I chose the Spartans because I felt like having a guy like Coach Hawk coaching me would be the best way for me to get to the next level," Elmore told Spartans Illustrated.
Michigan State had room for another wide receiver in its 2026 class after four-star prospect Tyren Wortham decommitted from the Spartans in October. Additionally, sources tell Spartans Illustrated that the current plan is for true freshman athlete Bryson Williams to make the permanent move from the wide receiver position to the running back position, which opens another spot in the wide receivers room.
As of press time, MSU currently has three commitments at the wide receiver spot in the 2026 class from Elmore, four-star prospect Samson Gash and three-star prospect Zachary Washington.
Elmore also lined up as the wildcat quarterback, played safety on defense and returned punts for Porter Ridge. According to MaxPreps, as a senior, Elmore recorded 36 receptions for 524 yards (14.6 yards per catch), while adding 100 carries for 750 rushing yards (7.5 yards per carry) on the ground. Elmore tells Spartans Illustrated he totaled 25 touchdowns (22 rushing and three receiving) on the campaign. He also tallied two interceptions on defense.
Elmore ranks as the No. 207 wide receiver and No. 44 recruit in the state of North Carolina in the 2026 cycle, according to 247Sports. Meanwhile, Rivals/On3 lists him as the No. 234 player at his position and No. 51 prospect in his home state.
In addition to Michigan State and East Carolina, Elmore collected scholarship offers from James Madison, Appalachian State, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Jacksonville State and Liberty.
With Elmore's pledge, that makes two class of 2026 commitments for the Spartans in the month of November. Three-star defensive tackle Hudson Aultman committed to Michigan State on Nov. 9. Overall, Michigan State's 2026 recruiting class now consists of 22 scholarship prospects and 25 total commitments overall (three preferred walk-ons).
The early signing period opens on Wednesday, Dec. 3 and closes on Friday, Dec. 5. Michigan State's 2026 recruiting class currently ranks 32nd nationally on both 247Sports and Rivals/On3.