Michigan State Football Recruiting: Signing Day 2013 Primer

National Signing Day is rapidly approaching and thousands of high school football prospects will have some tough decisions to make. Mark Dantonio’s Spartans are right in the middle of everything. Michigan State’s class of 2013 is ranked #34 according to Rivals. With top prospects like Mackensie Alexander and Demetrius Campbell considering Michigan State among other schools, things can change before Wednesday is over. Here’s how the next generation of MSU Spartans look going into Signing Day:

Taking up Spears for the Spartans: 18 Committed

Who Have Committed (but not yet signed)

• James Bodanis–DT–Toronto, Ontario (UTS)
• Dylan Chmura–TE–Waukesha, WI (Waukesha West)
• Demetrius Cooper—DE—Chicago, IL (Julian)
• Dennis Finley—OL—Detroit, MI (Cass Tech)
• Michael Geiger—K—Toledo, OH (Ottawa Hills)
• Jay Harris—WR—Exton, PA (Downingtown West)
• Darian Hicks—DB—Solon, OH (Solon)
• Gerald Holmes—RB—Flint, MI (Carman Ainsworth)
• Noah Jones—DT—Ft. Lauderdale, FL (Dillard)
• Shane Jones—LB—Cincinnati, OH (Moeller)
• Trey Kilgore—WR—Cincinnati, OH (St. Xavier)
• Jalyn Powell—ATH—Warren, OH (Harding)
• Jon Reschke—LB—Bloomfield, MI (Brother Rice)
• Devyn Salmon—DT—Plant City, FL (Plant City)
• R. J. Shelton—RB—Beaver Dam, WI (Beaver Dam)
• Damion Terry—QB—Erie, PA (Cathedral Prep School)
• Delton Williams—ATH—Erie, PA (Cathedral Prep School)
• Justin Williams—DB—Port St. Lucie, FL (Treasure Coast)

In the Phalanxes 

Who Are Likely? 

• Riley Norman – OT – Cadillac, MI (Cadillac)
  • Norman is reporting that he is seriously considering Michigan State. Though he hasn’t visited any of the schools recently, he visited East Lansing in 2011. MSU is the only team to make him an offer.
• Tristan Nickelson – OT – League City, TX (Clear Falls)
  • Nickelson has indicated interest in Michigan State, and he was recruited by Terry Samuel. He’s not received any offers, which may possibly deter him from signing with an out of state school.
• Khalil Hill – WR, CB – Detroit, MI (Crockett Vocational Tech)
  • Hill has indicated interest in becoming part of the Spartans’ team.  He visited Michigan State in 2012 to view a spring game.

Who Are Longshots?

• Ruben Dunbar – DL – Glen Elyn, IL (Glenbard West)
  • Dunbar has stated that he wants to take his time making his decision. He received multiple offers from multiple schools. Dan Rouchar recruited him for Michigan State. He has good defensive numbers, so he may choose the Spartans to further develop those talents. He’s kept his interests veiled well when it comes to who he might choose to sign with.
• Rod Crayton –DT, DL – Dadeville, AL (Dadeville)
  • Crayton has received an offer from Michigan State, and he’s indicated medium-level interest in signing with the team. However, he hasn’t visited MSU while he has visited Washington State and Penn state – both have also provided him with an offer.
• Eddie Vanderdoes – DT – Placer, CA (Placer)
  • Vanderdoes is a long shot indeed. He’s received an offer from Michigan State, but he hasn’t indicated interest or visited the university. He’s  five-star ranked player, so he’s one to watch anyway.

Stories to Watch

1.  Who will Ruben Dunbar choose? He’s been purposely quiet about any of his preferences when it comes to signing day. It is likely he will probably announce his decision at the last minute. Rumors were floating around that he might choose Minnesota, but there’s still a chance he could choose Michigan State.
2. Will Michigan State gain any more prospects? With eighteen already making verbal commitments, and others looking in various directions, it is possible that Michigan State may finish up the recruiting season with the eighteen listed. We’ll have to watch throughout the day to see who signs. Mark Dantonio will be making his signing day announcement at 3:00 PM EST on the Spartans’ website, and we’ll be live blogging, updating you, and Tweeting signing day information throughout the day on Wednesday.
3. Who will top recruits Eddie Vanderdoes and Montravius Adams sign with? Neither prospect has visited Michigan State, but they both did receive offers for next year. It is highly unlikely either will become a MSU Spartan, but it will be good to keep an eye on these guys as they progress through college ball.