More Michigan State underclassmen targets update recruitments at SMSB 7v7 Showcase

Detroit – Some of the top high school talent in Michigan gathered at Wayne State University Wednesday and Thursday for the Sound Mind Sound Body 7v7 Showcase. Multiple Michigan State targets competed at the two-day event, including Class of 2026 Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech athlete CJ Sadler.

Sadler, a rising sophomore, is an elite athletic prospect. He played quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back for the Technicians Thursday night as they faced off against other top talent from the Detroit area, like Michigan State commit Nick Marsh and River Rouge.

Sadler threw multiple touchdown passes at the event, including one in the red zone that sliced through a tight window of two River Rouge defenders and was caught by fellow Michigan State target Cashus Shivers.

“I think I did good,” Sadler said of his performance on Thursday. “There’s still more to improve on, but overall I think I did good as a leader, as a teammate.”

The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Sadler has early offers from Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Penn State, Auburn and more.

Michigan State was one of Sadler’s first Power Five offers. The Spartans offered him as an eighth grader last April. He’s visited East Lansing twice so far, but can’t communicate directly with college coaches outside of campus until September 2024.

“It’s cool,” Sadler said of his relationship with Michigan State. “We’re just trying to get that bond. Right now I’m young, so they really can’t do too much with recruiting and stuff right now, but so far it’s been good.”

The fast-rising Sadler will look to make an even greater impression on college programs when he starts at quarterback for Cass Tech this fall – but that doesn’t mean he won’t continue to improve his skills at other positions, too.

“I’m starting right now at quarterback, so I’m trying to focus on that position,” Sadler said. “(But I’m) focused on everything else, too. Receiver, DB, just getting better at all the stuff because I’m an athlete.”

Sadler will spend the rest of the summer gearing up for his sophomore football season.

“Right now I’ve just been focusing on my team,” Sadler said. “Making sure we’re good as a team, as a whole. Being a leader, just making sure that I’m focusing on them right now.”

His goal for the fall?

“I just plan on winning.”

Three-star Elijah Dotson on Michigan State: “It’s been my dream school”

University of Detroit (Mich.) Jesuit’s Elijah Dotson, who visited Michigan State earlier this year, was another high-level underclassmen prospect at the 7-on-7 event on Thursday.

The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Dotson played receiver and safety at the showcase. His versatility and length were on full display against other top talent from the Detroit area.

Dotson, a three-star, has offers from Louisville, Michigan, Penn State, Indiana, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Kansas, Wisconsin and more. He has yet to receive a Michigan State offer, but it’s one that he’d be more than happy to have.

“I went there for their junior day,” Dotson said. “It was pretty cool. I’m still waiting on an offer, of course. But that’s been my dream school, so to get an offer from there, that would be nice. I’ve just been working, so I hope they notice.”

Dotson’s recruitment has picked up steam during the summer months. Five of his eight Power Five offers have come since the beginning of May. In that time, Dotson also qualified for the Michigan state track and field meet in the 110- and 300-meter hurdle events.

The three-star recruit plans to visit Michigan and Louisville later this month.

Dotson believes Detroit Jesuit can have a bounce-back season this fall.

“State championship, of course,” Dotson said of his expectations for this season. “I feel like we have the talent this year. We had a young team last year and it was an iffy season, but I think we could really have a good season this year and win the state championship.”

Dotson is ranked the No. 398 prospect in the 2025 class, per the On3 Industry Rankings. He’s also ranked the No. 58 wide receiver and No. 7 player in Michigan.

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