Michigan State Recruiting: Top 2017 football targets to watch

Oct 25, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Ed Davis (43) looks over the Michigan Wolverines offense during the 1st half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

This one is going to be a tough sell. Although four-star linebacker Josh Ross has named Michigan State as one of the schools that has been recruiting him the hardest, the Spartans will have to battle it out with Michigan where his brother already plays college ball.

Related: 4-star LB Josh Ross has Michigan State in top three

Going to the same high school, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, as current 2015 Michigan State cornerback commit Tyson Smith and current top target, next to be named on this list, K.J. Hamler, Ross could see some peer pressure to join the Spartans from those guys.

A brother is a big thing to try and recruit against, however, as it seems like Ross is visiting Michigan all the time and hearing from his sibling about just how great it is.

In the end, though, it’s going to be his decision and he may end up picking the in-state rival Spartans just because it’s the right fit for him. He’s the top linebacker target on Michigan State’s list right now and there’s no way Dantonio is going to let him head to Ann Arbor without a serious fight.

If K.J. Hamler commits to Michigan State in the near future, which I believe he will, expect him to do a little recruiting of his own, trying to bring Ross with him to East Lansing.

Ross is ranked the No. 116 overall player and No. 3 inside linebacker in the class, according to 247Sports.

Next: 3. K.J. Hamler, 4-star, WR