Four-star 2026 Oklahoma WR Mason James talks Michigan State visit

Michigan State welcomed four-star wide receiver Mason James, of Norman (OK) North High School, for an unofficial visit over the weekend of July 27. The visit was centered around the annual ‘SpartanDawg Con’ event in East Lansing, where over 100 former Michigan State players returned to campus. It was the first of such event under new head coach Jonathan Smith, with attendees including former head coach Mark Dantonio, along with former players in Greg Jones, Mark Dell, Edwin Baker, and many more.

James (6-0, 170) was the highest rated recruit to attend the event, checking in as a four-star, the No.  190 overall recruit in the 2026 On3 Industry Rankings. He is also ranked the No. 30 wide receiver and the No. 3 recruit in Oklahoma.

The four-star holds other offers from programs such as Oklahoma, Alabama, Michigan, Miami (FL), Oregon, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Penn State, Washington, Missouri, and more. James also visited Oklahoma, Michigan, and Tennessee during the last week of July.

James tells SpartanMag.com a big reason for scheduling the Michigan State visit was his relationship with wide receivers coach Courtney Hawkins and offensive assistant Cordale Grundy. He was offered by the Spartan coaches back in April.

“Just how hard they have been recruiting me,” James said on why he wanted to visit Michigan State. “Also, some of the past wide receiver play they have had. Coach Hawkins, his track record with receivers he has developed is impressive. I definitely wanted to get up there and see how things are rolling.”

James was able to observe Hawkins up close over the weekend, giving him a chance to see a new side of the position coach. The receiver was impressed with Hawkins and his ability to fine tune his players.

“I got to watch him coach in practice before we went into meetings,” James said. “It was really good to see how he critics the players and how much he cares about the small details. That just shows how much he will develop wide receivers and prepare them for the NFL and game days on Saturdays. That is really what I like seeing from a receiver coach.”

Hawkins and James sat down to talk his fit in the offense and what the coach likes about his game. His explosiveness and the sure-handedness of the receiver stuck out during their conversation.

James logged 17 touchdowns in 12 games as a sophomore. He also had 1,135 yards on the season for Norman North.

“He loves how explosive I am,” James said. “He likes my catch radius and just thinks I would fit in really well with this offense.”

James has also grown close with Michigan State offensive assistant Cordale Grundy. Grundy spent the previous two seasons as a defensive graduate assistant with Colorado, also spending time as assistant cornerbacks coach for the Miami Dolphins in 2021.

“I have a really strong relationship with Coach Grundy,” James said. “He was the one who first reached out to me and started building that relationship. He always keeps in contact in with me and cares about my family too. It is really meaningful to have a coach like that in your life, so I am grateful for him.”

James was able to tour the new Tom Izzo Football Building while on campus, also completing the ‘Spartan walk’ into Spartan Stadium. He also spent time with some of the program’s alumni and sat in as they spoke to recruits.

“It was all really nice,” James said. “We saw the stadium which was very nice. The indoor and outdoor fields were really nice too. It was just a really good time up there.”

“They had a player panel, and the former players just talked about their past,” James said. “They talked about how much they loved Michigan State, how much of family environment it was, and the program meant to them. That was good to hear, for sure.

Before leaving campus James and his family sat down with head coach Jonathan Smith. The four-star is impressed with the vision of the head coach, as he is eager to build on their relationship following the visit.

“It was definitely good meeting with him,” James said. “I feel like he has something really good going. I am looking forward to building a stronger relationship with him, but what he has going on right now seems pretty impactful.”

James was joined by his mother, Amanda James, along with his 13-year old brother Bernie during his college visits at the end of July.

“I brought my mom and my little brother,” James said. “It was definitely awesome for me, but awesome for all of us. They are the ones who are helping me get where I need to go, so I have a really good support system, so I am really grateful for that and thank God everyday for that. It is really good to have them around with me while I go make my decision.”

“My brother is 13, so he gets (to see) the process early,” James continued. “That will help him on his journey for sure.”

The four-star is looking forward to planning a return trip to East Lansing. For now, he will focus on his junior season and fall camp with Norman North.

“I will definitely be back up there,” James said. “It is hard because of how far it is, but it is definitely a great place so I am looking forward to getting back there.”

Mason James and Courtney Hawkins (Photo via Mason James)

Mason James and Cordale Grundy (Photo via Mason James)

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