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4-star 2017 DE Donovan Jeter likes the way Michigan State does things

By Connor Muldowney

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Michigan State got some great news on Monday evening as 2017 four-star defensive end Donovan Jeter put the Spartans in his top-four. The Spartans, along with Penn State, Pittsburgh and Ohio State made the list that the big defensive end put on his Twitter and he really likes MSU’s potential and the way it gets things done on defense.

“I haven’t really paid close attention [to MSU’s top-five defenses] but I have noticed recently,” Jeter said.

While the top-five rankings have been publicized by most MSU-based media, some people outside of the program know the Spartans for being aggressive and one of the top teams in the nation every year. Some may not know the defensive success to specifics, but Jeter definitely likes where the Spartan defense is headed.

What stuck out in Jeter’s mind about Michigan State when he named a top four?

“[Michigan State’s] defensive coordinator coach came to see me in school,” Jeter claimed. “They must think pretty highly of me to fly all the way to see me just to shake my hand. They’re one of the teams that could contend for national titles every year.”

Related: MSU Recruiting: Top-five remaining recruiting targets for 2016

Winning is important to the 6-foot-5, 270-pound defensive end from Beaver Falls, Penn. In fact, that might help determine which school he chooses in the end. He has a few goals that he would like to accomplish at his future college.

“I want to play for a championship — either a national championship or conference championship. I want to get playing time early. I know I’m not going to start as a freshman, it’s college football.”

Knowing that playing time won’t be handed to him is one thing that may set him apart as a possible future Spartan. However, he knows what he wants and that is to try and contend for early time, although not as a starter, in the way Malik McDowell did this past season.

Michigan State might be in a good position to land the high school junior when the time comes, although no decision is planned in the near future, but his other top schools have plenty to offer.

Jeter likes Ohio State because they win championships and he gets along with the coaching staff. He likes Penn State because they play in front of 100,000 fans every Saturday — tough to beat — and they have a great educational ranking — Jeter wants to be a Criminal Justice major.

Lastly, he likes Pittsburgh because, no surprise here, he loves the way Pat Narduzzi does things as well as his intensity, along with the fact his brother, Sheldon Jeter, plays basketball for the Panthers right now.

Must Read: Hunter Rison, 2017 commit, given 4-star rating by Rivals

There is strong competition for the defensive end, but the Spartans may have the best defensive status to intrigue Jeter. I say defensive end, not tackle, because that’s the position he plays in high school and he isn’t quite sure why all the recruiting services have him listed as the latter.

One thing that could help the Spartans land the Pennsylvania-native is that he grew as a fan of college football, in general, not any specific in-state teams.

Michigan State could get an absolute steal in a guy ranked No. 202 in the nation by 247Sports for the class of 2017 and who models his game after J.J. Watt.

“I want to get to the NFL,” said Jeter.

Maybe he should take note of Mark Dantonio success when it comes to getting his players to the NFL. I mean, he does send about 5-10 guys every year via the draft and undrafted free agency.

Could be another solid year for Michigan State defensive line recruiting.

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