Michigan State Recruiting: Top 2016 basketball targets

Mar 4, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo talks to his team during a timeout in the 2nd half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

After visiting campus this week, and some are speculating that he is still there through the weekend, making it a Thursday-Saturday trip, five-star combo guard Josh Langford is looking more and more green by the minute. A long trip like that to East Lansing can only be a positive thing for the Spartans as the extremely talented guard had MSU high on his list even before the trip.

Langford is ranked very highly by all recruiting services, coming in as the No. 13 player in the nation according to 247Sports. Also according to the recruiting service, Michigan State is the only school listed as “warmer” in terms of Langford’s interest in programs.

A few weeks ago, it seemed like a long-shot for the Spartans to snag a guy like Langford with the 2016 top targets after Ward’s commitment not including him, but ever since Caleb Swanigan’s decommitment from MSU, the door has been opened for another scholarship and a top player to take his spot.

While the Spartans aren’t exactly happy that Swanigan chose to be at another Big Ten school after committing in April, it may mean that they will get one of the best classes in the country for 2016 with the opening of another spot.

A class that was expected to get three guys can now afford to attract four. With three spots remaining, Langford is definitely in that top-three, but not the top overall target for Michigan State at this point in time.

Rumors are circulating, however, that he may be the next to commit after Ward leaked a cryptic tweet to his followers on Saturday saying, “We just got another Spartan.”

Time will tell just who that may be.

Next: 2. Cassius Winston, PG, 4-star