2024 WR Austin Clay commits to Michigan State: 'I want to be part of MSU'

Add a new playmaker to Michigan State's 2024 recruiting class, as Ohio wide receiver Austin Clay announced his commitment to the Spartans on Monday.

Clay was previously committed to Bowling Green State University since late June, but took an official visit to Michigan State this past weekend and decided to pledge to the Spartans instead.

MSU offered Clay a scholarship on Dec. 7 and quickly worked to flip him from the Falcons. Clay was able to build relationships with head coach Jonathan Smith, wide receivers coach Courtney Hawkins and the rest of the staff in a short period of time, and decided that East Lansing was the place for him.

"Coach Smith, Coach Hawkins and the coaching staff are building a great program and it’s something I want to be part of," Clay told Spartans Illustrated. "I'm fully committed. Go Green!"

Clay quickly built a strong bond with the Michigan State coaches, and felt their vision not only for him, but for the program as a whole, was something he can fully buy into.

"I have great relationships with the staff, they know what they’re talking about on the football side of things and are also great guys," Clay said about the coaches.

As a senior in 2023 at Berea–Midpark High School in Berea, Ohio, Clay recorded 49 receptions for 739 yards and seven touchdowns. He was also a defensive back and kick/punt return specialist for the Titans, amassing 31 returns for 913 yards and three additional touchdowns. Clay had more than 1,600 all-purpose yards on the campaign.

For his efforts, he was named to the Division I All-Ohio first-team, and he was named the Southwestern Conference's Special Teams Player of the Year.

While he isn't the biggest player on the field, Clay uses all of the tools at his disposal to make plays.

"Big play receiver with a big catch radius," Clay said when asked to describe his game. 'I can use my speed to win a go routes, but also have have great footwork and hands to get open on all routes."

The 6-foot, 160-pound Clay also plays basketball for Berea–Midpark and recently set a school record for single-game steals with 10 against Valley Forge High School. He also currently ranks second in school history with 173 career assists, and third in program history with 97 career steals.

Clay also runs track.

In addition to Michigan State and Bowling Green, Clay has scholarship offers from Akron, Ball State, Fordham, Massachusetts, Navy and Pennsylvania.

With Clay now in the fold, Michigan State's 2024 high school recruiting class grows to 13 commits at the moment. Clay joins 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, linebacker Jadyn Walker and offensive linemen Mercer Luniewski and Charlton Luniewski.

With the early signing period opening on Wednesday (Dec. 20), Michigan State's 2024 high school recruiting class currently ranks 70th in the nation.

Clay will sign on Wednesday and enroll in the summer.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Join the discussion on this article in our premium forums by clicking here.

You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Threads, TikTok, and Instagram.

For video content, including our Red Cedar Radar podcast, find us on YouTube and consider subscribing.