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Michigan State signs 2026 three-star Fayetteville (Ga.) Whitewater CB Kelsey Deriso

On3 imageby: Jason Killop12/03/25KillopOn3

Michigan State signed 2026 three-star cornerback Kelsey “KJ” Deriso, of Fayetteville (Ga.) Whitewater High School, on Wednesday.

Deriso (5-11, 160) has been committed to Michigan State since mid-June. He committed to the Spartans following an official visit to campus. He later canceled scheduled trips to Kentucky, Louisville and South Florida.

Michigan State was Deriso’s first Power Four offer. He eventually received offers from Kentucky, Louisville, Georgia Tech, Syracuse and Mississippi State, among others.

“It definitely sticks with me,” Deriso said of the Michigan State offer. “That was the first school to take a chance on me and see me as a worthy player for a scholarship, so it definitely means something to me.”

Deriso is the No. 1,030 recruit in the 2026 class, per the Rivals Industry Rankings. He’s also the No. 94 cornerback and No. 103 player from Georgia in his class.

Michigan State also expects to sign cornerback TJ Umenyiora on Wednesday. Longtime cornerback commitment Jeremiah Favorite recently announced that he will not sign on Wednesday.

SCOUTING REPORT

Deriso is a versatile playmaker, as he played both offense and defense for Whitewater. He projects as a cornerback at Michigan State, with good instincts and ball skills.

Deriso tallied 20 tackles, eight pass deflections and one interception in eight games as a senior this fall, according to MaxPreps. He also scored four touchdowns and logged 620 all-purpose yards on the year.

Deriso amassed 33 tackles (two for a loss), two interceptions and two forced fumbles as a junior in 2024.

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