MSU TE Jake Renda decomitts, heads to Pittsburgh

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Mel Tucker/Photo: MSU Athletic Communications

Nathan Stearns, Football Beat Reporter

EAST LANSING- Mel Tucker has suffered his second decommitment in this year’s recruiting cycle.

After losing safety Gabe Nealy on May 25, Jake Renda, a three-star tight end who currently plays for the illustrious IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, announced on Monday that he would be withdrawing from Michigan State and heading to Pittsburgh.  Renda will be suiting up for former MSU defensive coordinator and current Pittsburgh head coach, Pat Narduzzi, and Panthers’  tight ends coach, Tim Salem, who is the older brother of former MSU offensive coordinator, Brad Salem.

Renda is a 6-foot-5 TE who is originally from Trenton, New Jersey; he is rated as a mid-level three-star prospect by 247Sports.  247Sports has Renda rated as the No. 66 TE prospect in the nation and the No. 174 overall prospect in New Jersey.

Renda initially committed to MSU on July 4. In addition to being offered by Michigan State and Pittsburgh, the burly TE held offers from Arizona, Boston College, Central Michigan, Florida International, Fordham, Holy Cross, NC State and Old Dominion.

With Renda out of the picture, MSU currently has 11 commits in the 2021 recruiting class. The loss of Renda dropped the Spartan’ recruiting class to No. 74 in the nation and No.13 in the Big Ten, according to 247Sports.  Kameron Allen, another athletic three-star recruit who committed to MSU back on April 29, is currently the only TE commit for the Spartans.