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Michigan State making an impression on 4-star DE Chase Young

By Connor Muldowney

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Although there’s still two years until he finds himself on a college campus, four-star 2017 defensive end Chase Young is racking up offers.

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Michigan State became the latest school to offer the 6-foot-5, 220-pound defensive end from Hyattsville, Maryland, but the Spartans seem to be in a good position with him already.

“I like how they are an up-tempo team and [Michigan State] really gets after it,” Young said.

It seems like all recruits are taking a liking to the Spartans lately, and that’s not by mistake. Michigan State boasts one of the top defenses in the nation and high school prospects have taken notice.

The Spartans haven’t won 10-plus games in four out of five years with Rose and Cotton Bowl victories to go with it and two top-five national finishes without elite defenses — just ask Chase.

Must Read: MSU Recruiting: Top 2017 football targets to watch for

“Yes [I’ve watched MSU] and the defense is one of the most, if not the most, aggressive defenses in college football,” he said. “And I could see myself being a part of that.”

Obviously the interest in mutual between Young and the Spartans or he would have never received his ninth collegiate offer from Mark Dantonio and crew.

Defensive line coach Ron Burton has helped attract some of the top talent in the nation for the next couple of season, getting Raequan Williams in the 2015 class and the ‘Fearsome Foursome’ of Josh King, Auston Robertson, Naquan Jones and Mike Panasiuk for 2016.

Adding an aggressive Young to the 2017 class would be icing on the cake.

“I have talked to coach [Ron] Burton and he said he likes my speed and aggressiveness off the ball and the way I use my hands,” said Young.

Jan 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive end Shilique Calhoun (89) celebrates his sack of Baylor Bears quarterback Bryce Petty (not pictured) in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. The Spartans defeated the Bears 42-41. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

As for what the high school junior thinks of his game? Let’s just say his confidence is a good thing.

“My first step [is my strong point] I think. My first step catches most O-linemen off guard. Also, the way I use my hands benefits me as well,” he said. “I started playing d-end in the ninth grade, actually. Before I moved to d-end, I played outside linebacker.”

Michigan State is currently recruiting Young as a defensive end, but if the Spartans are too stacked at the position by the time he reaches college, a switch to linebacker wouldn’t be foreign to the four-star recruit.

Young is ranked No. 89 overall in the 2017 class and the fifth-best weak-side defensive end, according to 247Sports. He is as talented as they come and could go pretty much anywhere he desires, but Michigan State is an attractive offer for him.

Asked about how he and other top recruits perceive Michigan State football, he admitted the Spartans are considered elite by everyone.

“Oh, yes. Everyone is big on MSU. They are one of the top in the country and I see MSU as elite.”

The top-100 recruit may be under the spotlight of many top college programs, but he still has his sights set on his junior season with DeMatha Catholic — the same school in which senior linebacker Darien Harris attended.

“My junior season goal is just to win a national championship with my team,” he said. “And I don’t think [playing in the spotlight] will be tough, it just motivates me more to play harder and get my job done and help my team.”

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    • If the Spartans can lure this kid to campus, they will have one of the top players in the nation, a name that is rising significantly in the recruiting circuit.

    Imagine a defensive line rotation with Enoch Smith Jr., Craig Evans, Malik McDowell, Raequan Williams, Josh King, Auston Robertson, Naquan Jones, Mike Panasiuk and this kid. No one would be able to stop the Spartans in 2017.

    Young said he would like to visit Michigan State in the near future, and the Oregon game on Sept. 12 would be the perfect visit to have him leave East Lansing wanting to be part of the program.

    Right now, though, he doesn’t know exactly when he will visit or what teams are really standing out to him yet, but he does know that the Spartans have a good chance to be topping his list soon.

    “I have no idea [who my top teams are] at the moment,” he said. “And MSU has a very good chance to be very significant on my list.”

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