Michigan State Recruiting: Top 2017 football targets to watch

January 1, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Trae Waynes (15) celebrates after he intercepts a pass against the Stanford Cardinal during the second half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan State has built its brand on the success from the defensive side of the ball, especially the cornerback position thanks to guys like Trae Waynes and Darqueze Dennard. The Spartans had begun using the ‘No Fly Zone’ to describe the secondary — including linebackers — for the last couple of years and it needs to be reawakened soon.

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Mark Dantonio has been recruiting Detroit heavily in the past few years and four-star cornerback Ambry Thomas is a name that comes to mind for the class of 2017.

Easily the most sought-after 2017 recruit for the Spartan secondary, Thomas could make Michigan State very happy with a commitment in the coming months, but it’s still very early in his recruiting process and he’s still rising in the ranks.

Some believe that Ambry is a Spartan-lean right now, but, like I said, it’s still early and there is plenty of time for that to change. He would, however, fit in very nicely with the shutdown corners that MSU’s runs out every year and seeing a Spartan cornerback selected in the first round for each of the past two years has to be enticing.

Thomas, teammates with Donnie Corley and Lavert Hill, could be green very soon.

Next: 1. Donovan Peoples-Jones, 5-star, WR