2024 DE Kekai Burnett Commits to MSU: 'Coach Smith will change the program'
With the early signing period opening on Wednesday (Dec. 20), Michigan State's strong run of commitments continues, as 2024 three-star defensive end Kekai Burnett has given his pledge to the Spartans.
Burnett was previously committed to Oregon State under head coach Jonathan Smith and defensive line coach Legi Suiaunoa. Now with Smith, Suiaunoa and many other former OSU coaches at Michigan State, Burnett chose to follow the staff to East Lansing.
"Coach Smith is going to change this program around just like how he did at Oregon State," Burnett told Spartans Illustrated. "I love how Coach Legi (Suiaunoa) coaches. He knows his stuff. Both Coach Legi and Coach Smith are not only great football coaches, they are great people. And that’s what I like most about them."
The 6-foot-3, 245-pound Burnett currently attends Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii.
He took an official visit to Michigan State this past weekend. While many things stood out to him while in East Lansing, the food helped win him over. It was his first ever trip to the Mitten State, but it is where he will call home throughout his college career.
"This was my first time in Michigan," Burnett said about the official visit. "My favorite part about the visit was the food. The food was very good. And I am big on food."
While East Lansing, Michigan is some 4,400-plus miles away from Burnett's home in Hawaii, the distance doesn't bother him at all. That is because he knows the staff at Michigan State will take care of him, and develop him both as a player and person.
"The distance (from home) doesn’t concern me at all," Burnett said. "I’m really close with the staff. Most of the coaches from Oregon State came over to Michigan State. And Oregon State was one of the first schools that offered me. So I’ve been talking to them for a long time."
Burnett takes great pride in being from Hawaii, and he is hoping that his commitment to Michigan State, along with having Suiaunoa and others on staff, will create more opportunities for Polynesian players at Michigan State.
"Starting a Polynesian pipeline would be huge for the islands," Burnett explained.
Also of importance, Burnett is really big on family. His family has supported him throughout his recruiting process, trusts the staff and fell in love with Michigan State on the visit.
With his family's blessing, Burnett committed to the Spartans.
"My family is everything to me," Burnett said. "They’re the reason why I’m where I’m at today. They really love Michigan State and that played a really big role on why I committed there."
In addition to Michigan State and Oregon State, Burnett has offers from Arizona, BYU (where he visited earlier this month), California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, San Diego State, Stanford, Washington State and Texas State.
He becomes the 16th commitment in Michigan State's 2024 high school recruiting class overall, and the first defensive linemen. Burnett joins offensive lineman Payton Stewart, offensive lineman Rakeem Johnson, offensive linemen Mercer Luniewski and Charlton Luniewski, wide receiver Austin Clay, quarterback Alessio Milivojevic, defensive back Andrew Brinson, running backs Makhi Frazier and Brandon Tullis, tight end Wyatt Hook, wide receiver Nick Marsh, defensive back Jaylen Thompson, athlete/defensive back Justin Denson Jr., defensive back Keshawn Williams and linebacker Jadyn Walker.
Michigan State's 2024 class currently ranks 57th in the country, but will likely see that number drastically improve this week.
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