Howell's Jackson Pahl signs with Michigan State football as preferred walk-on
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Howell senior defensive end Jackson Pahl is staying home for college.
Michigan State football announced Monday, Dec. 8, that Pahl, a standout two-way player on the line of scrimmage for the Highlanders, has signed with the Spartans as a preferred walk-on. Pahl was originally committed to play football for the Air Force Academy.
As a senior, Pahl recorded 37 tackles, 5½ sacks, eight tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one interception and 12 quarterback hits in 11 games. Offensively, Pahl helped pave the way for Howell's successful rushing attack as a tight end, often serving as a sixth offensive lineman in Howell's tight T-formation offense. Howell (9-2) ran for 3,586 yards and more than 300 yards per game.
"They set the tone for sure," Howell coach Brian Lewis said of his defensive line, led by Pahl, on Oct. 24. "The defensive line has done a great job all year. Those guys are really good."
Pahl was a key piece to Howell's consecutive KLAA championships in 2024 and '25 over Belleville. Howell went 8-1 in the regular season before being bounced by East Kentwood and fellow MSU signee Kayd Coffman in the district finals.
Pahl is the fifth player from Michigan to sign as a part of MSU's 2026 recruiting class. He joins Coffman, North Branch's Eli Bickel, Freeland's Tristan Comer and Northville's Colin Charles (graduated from Northville in 2025 and attended a prep school for one year).
Novi Detroit Catholic Central standout receiver Samson Gash is verbally committed to the Spartans, but has opted to wait until National Signing Day in February to sign after re-opening his recruitment following MSU's coaching change.
Jared Ramsey covers high school sports for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jramsey@freepress.com; Follow Jared on X or Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Jackson Pahl, Howell DE, signs with Michigan State football
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