Quarterback Leo Hannan and offensive lineman Drew Nichols were key California commitments for Michigan State’s 2025 class. In this exclusive, I spoke with both of them when their schools played each other.
Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith aims to strengthen his recruitment efforts on the West Coast, particularly in California, which he views as a crucial hub for talent.
The Spartans have extended offers to 41 recruits from California in the 2025 class, ranking second only to Florida. For the 2026 class, California leads with 39 offers.
In conversations with California recruits, the football culture feels like a tight-knit community. Despite the vast distances in high school football, players are well-acquainted with one another and their respective schools.
When I chatted with two California recruits committed to the Spartans, quarterback Leo Hannan and interior offensive lineman Drew Nichols, I learned that Nichols’ team, Murrieta Valley, faced Hannan’s Servite in Week 2. The game ended with Servite triumphing 37-17.
“It was great playing against Leo,” Nichols shared. “At the end, we shook hands, chatted afterward, and took some pictures. It was nice to hear about his plans—whether he’s going to leave early or stick around for the full season—and how things are going with his team. It was fun to talk about high school for a bit.”
As for Hannan’s performance, Nichols admitted he didn’t catch much of it live. “After each series, we review film immediately,” he explained. “We have TVs on the sidelines. From what I did see and what we reviewed, he’s really mobile and seems to have a sharp football IQ; he makes great plays on the run. He definitely has a lot of potential, which is why he’s ranked so highly.”
Nichols mentioned the possibility of blocking for Hannan in the future, calling that prospect “pretty cool.”
I chatted with Hannan before the game, and he mentioned that they had a brief conversation then.
“We were joking around a bit; he was ready to roll,” Hannan said. “He said, ‘Man, your defense is tough to practice for and scout against,’ and I agreed, since I face those guys every day. I told him they have some gritty players on their defense. He’ll be well-prepared; I’m not concerned about him. Our defense is tough, and he’s a beast.”
Hannan is ranked No. 40 among recruits in California, while Nichols is ranked No. 102.
Michael France is the recruiting beat writer for Sports Illustrated, focusing on Michigan State and covering all aspects of Big Ten recruiting for Spartan Nation.
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