Toledo transfer defensive tackle Carlos Hazelwood commits to Michigan State
Michigan State adds much-needed help in the interior of the defensive line. More on Hazelwood here.
Michigan State is bolstering the interior of its defensive line, following the commitment of Toledo transfer defensive tackle Carlos Hazelwood, who visited East Lansing on Jan. 6 and Jan. 7.
The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Hazelwood still has three years of eligibility remaining.
Hazelwood also took a recent visit to Connecticut, but he has decided to become a Spartan.
At Michigan State, Hazelwood will learn under head coach Pat Fitzgerald, defensive coordinator Joe Rossi, defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere III and the rest of the new staff for the Spartans. Of note, Hazelwood also played at Toledo while MSU's newly-hired general manager, Bryan Gasser, was with the Rockets in the same role.
As a redshirt freshman in 2025, Hazelwood appeared in eight games and recorded seven total tackles, a half-of-tackle-for-loss and a fumble recovery. According to Pro Football Focus, Hazelwood tallied 83 defensive snaps and four snaps on special teams this past season. He was the seventh-highest-graded Rocket defender overall (77.1) and ranked third on the team in pass-rushing grade (84.3).
The Markham, Illinois native redshirted as a true freshman in 2024. Hazelwood appeared in two games that season.
Hazelwood's pledge gives Michigan State 19 public commitments thus far. He joins Miami (FL.) cornerback Charles Brantley, Ferris State athlete Carson Gulker, UConn running back Cam Edwards, Western Kentucky running back Marvis Parrish, Iowa running back Jaziun Patterson, Southeast Missouri State EDGE Trey Lisle, Georgia Southern offensive tackle Robert Wright Jr., North Dakota State offensive lineman Trent Fraley, Auburn linebacker Caleb Wheatland, Houston Christian defensive back Tyran Chappell, Maine defensive back Devin Vaught, Louisiana Tech defensive Michael Richard, Iowa State defensive back Tre Bell, UConn offensive tackle Ben Murawski, South Carolina offensive guard Nick Sharpe, Central Florida quarterback Cam Fancher, Iowa punter Rhys Dakin and Charlotte kicker Liam Boyd.
Michigan State recently lost starting defensive tackle Alex VanSumeren to the transfer portal, as he has committed to play for USC. As things currently, stand, the Spartans are expected to return Ben Roberts, Derrick Simmons, Mikeshun Beeler and Ben Nelson in the interior of the defensive line. MSU will also add true freshman defensive tackle Hudson Aultman and true freshman preferred walk-on defensive tackle Jackson Pahl. The Spartans are expected to continue to add to the defensive line and edge positions via the transfer portal.