Michigan’s jobless rate remained steady in April at 3.9% — the fourth consecutive month the number registered at 4% or less.

The monthly employment report was released Thursday by the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics.

Manufacturing and finance employment have dipped but that’s being made up in other sectors, said Labor Market Information Director Wayne Rourke.

“The big gains, they’re in industries like health care, they’re in industries like government,” he told Michigan Public Radio. “Construction’s doing very well, where the rest of them are just moving up and down a little every month and kind of staying flat.”

Overall, the report said non-farm employment in Michigan rose by about 37,000 jobs since the beginning of the year.

Rourke said Michigan’s jobs report is similar to what is happening in other states.

“Most of them are under 4 percent,” he said. “The U.S. actually matches Michigan this month. So, the story that we’re telling in Michigan is similar across most states – the jobless rates are really, really low and the payroll jobs have been increasing.”

Total employment in Michigan advanced by 1.1% since the beginning of the year. That is higher than the 0.3% national growth figure over the same period.

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Last year Michigan added UMass cornerback Josh Wallace via the transfer portal and Wallace would go on to be an integral part of Michigan’s secondary in 2023.

With both Wallace and Mike Sainristil now in the NFL and DJ Waller transferring, Michigan has added needed depth at the position in Albany transfer corner Aamir Hall.

Hall was an FCS All-American in 2023, tallying 57 tackles (37 solo) with five interceptions. Per PFF, Hall received an 85.7 overall PFF grade last season, a 73.0 passer rating allowed, and an 88.3 Coverage grade. Before playing for Albany Hall spent three years at Richmond where he totaled 106 tackles (61 solo), two interceptions, and 18 pass breakups.

Hall joins a cornerback room that includes Will Johnson, Ja’Den McBurrows, Myles Pollard, Jyaire Hill, and Keshaun Harris. It remains to be seen where Hall will rank on the depth chart. However, it’s fair to say that his experience along with sound tackling, savvy pass breakups, consistent interceptions, and solid coverage skills will have him carving out what could be a vital role on Michigan’s defense.

Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith had many recruiting goals when he arrived in East Lansing.

Smith wanted to keep his West Coast pipeline — something he carefully built during his time at Oregon State — intact.

Smith had a goal to rebuild Michigan State through prolific recruiting in the Midwest.

His most important goal was to make the Green and White the premiere landing spot for Mitten-state talent.

This week, it has become apparent Smith could be on his way to achieving that goal.

Smith had already secured a commitment in April from Orchard Lake St. Mary’s three-star linebacker DJ White. White was the No. 2 linebacker in the state behind Dakota High School’s Di’Mari Malone, another three-star.

White is the No. 14 player in the state, per 247Sports. White, a former safety and quarterback, has great size — 6-foot-3, 190 pounds — instincts and speed for a linebacker. Defensive coordinator and linebacker coach Joe Rossi will have plenty to work with. It is a very real possibility White outplays his three-star rating when he gets to East Lansing.

Smith secured Malone on Mother’s Day.

Malone was graded even higher than White by 247Sports. The site has him as the No. 1 linebacker and the No. 9 player in the state. Malone’s tape is electric. He shows uncanny ability in coverage, a combination of ball-skills and athleticism.

On Tuesday, Michigan State landed the state’s No. 1 running back in East Lansing High School’s Jace Clarizio. Clarizio is the No. 64 running back in the 2025 class and the No. 10 player in the state, according to 247Sports.

National recruiting analyst Allen Trieu touted Clarizio’s potential:

“Solid receiver out of the backfield although that is something he can keep getting more reps at,” he said. “All-around back with no real glaring deficiencies and should be a starter at the high-major level.”

Michigan State has received interest from other top in-state recruits.

The No. 1 athlete in the state, three-star Desmond Straughton of Roseville High School, has Michigan State among his top teams. Straughton plays safety and running back, and excels at both. He will likely find his home at safety. Straughton is the No. 6 player in the state and No. 18 nationally as an athlete.

The top tight end in the state, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Jayden Savoury, has Michigan State among his favorites as well. The 6-foot-6 basketball player-turned-football standout has a high ceiling. Savoury has an offical visit set for May 31.

Lately, Michigan State has been on a roll when it comes to securing 2025 in-state talent.

It could just be getting started.

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