Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio stands on sidelines during the 1st quarter of a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Everyone knows by now that Mark Dantonio is becoming one of the premier recruiters in the Big Ten and it has a lot to do with his program’s success on the field. Michigan State recruiting has seen a serious uptick in recent years because of the product Coach D has produced and the way he progresses his players.
Not many head coaches can say they have sent three two-star recruits to the NFL — two were first round picks in Trae Waynes and Darqueze Dennard and the other is arguably the top RB in the league (Le’Veon Bell).
The Spartans will be seeing a lot more success in recruiting in the coming years as the 2016 football class happens to be ranked in the top 10 — and still not done — while the 2017 group has gotten off to a solid start with four-star receiver Hunter Rison already committed.
Who are other priority recruits for the 2017 class who could make the Spartans national title favorites soon enough?
Well, I’ll start you off with 10 guys who MSU needs to make a serious run for.
Oct 3, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive end Shilique Calhoun (89) stands on the field during the 1st quarter of a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Donovan Jeter is a big boy. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 260 pounds, he has the perfect body frame for a defensive lineman who the Spartans would make a run for.
Mark Dantonio has made it a priority to recruiting stellar defensive line prospects over the past few years and that has led to the Spartans being one of the best teams in the nation when it comes to putting pressure on the quarterback and stopping the run.
Jeter could do both of that as he might be a big guy, but he’s still athletic enough to play defensive end, and play it well.
Keep an eye out for this kid as he has already stated that Michigan State is one of his four early favorites. Not expecting an announcement any time soon, but MSU is in a good position with the-four-star defensive end.
Next: 9. Robert Hainsey, OT
Oct 3, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans center Jack Allen (66) and Michigan State Spartans offensive lineman Donavon Clark (76) walk off the field after a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Despite the inconsistent play by the group of offensive linemen this season — mostly caused by injuries — the Spartans have been considered one of the top programs in the country for producing high-level talent at the position.
In fact, before the season began, the Spartans were widely-regarded as the one team in the nation with the most impressive offensive line. Both Jack Allen and Jack Conklin were believed to be All-American candidates while Brian Allen, Kodi Kieler and Donavon Clark were all experienced enough to carry a heavy workload.
Injuries to basically everyone on the O-line has caused people to think of this team differently as the run game has not taken off because of the hampered stars up front.
With most of the line departing over the next season or two, a guy like Robert Hainsey would have to think that a commitment to MSU is attractive because of playing time and an opportunity to start for a national title contender.
Brian Allen would be the only remaining player of that group when/if the four-star offensive tackle ranked No. 139 in the country gets to East Lansing. Add him to an ever-growing group of young linemen who have committed to MSU and you have a slew of guys who could bring this unit back to prominence.
Next: 8. Jarell White, RB
Oct 3, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back Madre London (28) runs the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers during the 1st quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
It’s honestly quite amazing that not many colleges have jumped on the 2017 four-star running back recruit that is Jarell White. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound back from LaSalle High School in Cincinnati has proven to be a reliable rusher for his team over the past couple of years, yet he has just five scholarship offers to show for it.
Still waiting on an offer from Michigan State — which many believe he would accept almost immediately — the No. 280 overall player in the country for 2017 has been to East Lansing a couple of times and it seems as if Dantonio and Co. are close to extending a scholarship his way.
The Spartans already have a handful of solid running backs for the coming seasons and there will be no need to worry about depth at the position for the foreseeable future.
However, seeing a true freshman like L.J. Scott get some meaningful playing time to lead the Spartans in rushing yards and touchdowns has to be exciting for young running back recruits looking to contend for early playing time.
Three-star Abdul Adams and, potentially, four-star George Hill could be committed for the 2016 class, so White would have a ton of competition, but there’s no doubt he is talented enough to contend.
Next: 7. Antjuan Simmons, LB
Sep 12, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Darien Harris (45) gestures to the crowd between plays during the 1st half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
You might be asking yourself, “Who is Antjuan Simmons and why should the Spartans be targeting him out of all the top-tier recruits in the 2017 class?”
Well, when looking at the meteoric rise of the three-star linebacker, there is still so much room for Simmons to grow and mature, and his potential is absolutely through the roof. In fact, Simmons went from unknown local recruit to highly-coveted national prospect within a matter of weeks during his junior season at Ann Arbor Pioneer.
Simmons has been high on the Spartans for some time now, but his recent surge in recruiting is no fluke, and it’s something MSU needs to keep an eye on.
There’s no doubt in my mind that this three-star, hard-hitting linebacker will be a four-star before his high school career is over with and the Spartans will be one of a couple of teams vying for his services until his actual announcement.
Don’t expect him to decide any time soon, though, as he has received 17 offers since Sept. 22 and that number will only rise as college scouts continue to track his progress.
One thing is for sure, however: Simmons needs to be a priority for Dantonio and the rest of the staff.
Next: 6. Ambry Thomas, CB
Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive back Demetrious Cox (7) reacts to defensive stop against the Indiana Hoosiers during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
The ‘No Fly Zone’ has been ‘The Frequently Flown Upon Zone’ this season as opposing quarterbacks have just torched the Michigan State secondary week in and week out — with the exception of a couple of teams who don’t exactly have potent passing attacks.
Adding a guy like Ambry Thomas, a four-star cornerback recruit from Detroit King, would help bring back the distinction that was once held, and touted, by players such as Dennard and Waynes.
Watching a couple of cornerbacks get selected in the first round of the NFL Draft is a huge selling point for Dantonio as both those guys were two-star recruits — just imagine what he could do with four-star talent at that position.
Teammates with Donnie Corley and Lavert Hill — two top 2016 targets — Thomas could be lured if one, or both, of those four-star recruits commits to the Spartans.
Thomas is ranked the No. 132 player in the 2017 class and the 12th-best cornerback, according to 247Sports, and he will likely only get better as the departure of Corley and Hill will mean the defense relying upon him next season as a senior.
Hunter Rison is apparently good friends with Thomas and is trying to get the young star to commit to the green and white — that has worked for Michigan State in the past with recruits swaying other recruits into committing.
Next: 5. KJ Hamler, WR
Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver R.J. Shelton (12) makes a touchdown catch against Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Jameel Cook Jr. (20) during the 1st quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
As you’ve probably noticed by now, I have posted pictures of current Michigan State football players who I believe the respective recruit reminds me of. This time, I would have to say KJ Hamler is a lot like current slot receiver, R.J. Shelton.
Hamler, in my opinion, is a must-get for the Spartans because of the overwhelming mutual interest as of right now, or so it seems. The Spartans and Hamler seem like a match made in heaven as the four-star receiver from Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (Mich.) could easily fill the void of Shelton when he leaves, and then some.
This kid can return punts — he actually had a ridiculous return for a touchdown earlier in the year that made national headlines — and catch the ball with the best of them. Hamler is a great fit in this offense, and can you just picture him with a receiving corps of Felton Davis III, Cameron Chambers, Donnie Corley, Justin Layne, Hunter Rison and Trishton Jackson?
That might just be the scariest group of receivers in a couple of years and the addition of Hamler would just put it over the top.
Next: 4. Josh Ross, LB
Sep 26, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Central Michigan Chippewas wide receiver Corey Willis (82) is tackled by Michigan State Spartans linebacker Shane Jones (49) during the 1st quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
The teammate factor might play a huge role in recruiting and in this case, adding KJ Hamler could very well mean that Michigan State could also snag four-star linebacker Josh Ross who happens to also play for Orchard Lake St. Mary’s as a junior.
Unfortunately for the Spartans, Ross currently has an older brother who plays for the Michigan Wolverines, making them his current leader. However, his brother, James Ross, will have graduated from Michigan by the time Josh gets to college, so the Wolverines might not be as attractive of a place without his older sibling there.
In an interview following the Sound Mind Sound Body camp over the summer, Ross said that Michigan State was his favorite team growing up and he used to love watching Javon Ringer in the backfield.
That kind of childhood love could go a long way in his recruiting process as the Spartans have only gotten better since then and he grew up watching Coach D’s teams play, and loving everything about them.
Ross is currently ranked No. 131 in the nation and as the No. 4 inside linebacker, according to 247Sports. Boy, would he be a huge addition to the 2017 class.
Next: 3. Jamyest Williams, ATH
Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) runs the ball against the Indiana Hoosiers during the 1st half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Out of all the recruits I have named on this list, Jamyest Williams might just be the most exciting. He might not even play offense in college, but his athleticism is unmatched and his ability to dominate opposing offenses and defenses is just uncanny.
Williams visited Michigan State with fellow Spartan target — and 2016 four-star offensive tackle recruit — E.J. Price back in September and it seemed like a gigantic visit for the green and white as hundreds of recruits spilled into Spartan Stadium for the early-season top-10 matchup against Oregon.
The four-star athlete has kept relatively quiet about his interest in Michigan State since the visit, but it seems as if the Spartans are in a great position with him as he loved his visit to East Lansing and he might just be a package deal with his high school teammate, E.J. Price, who also loved what Dantonio had to offer.
A guy who could be an absolute ball-hawk on defense and an electrifying offensive threat is something MSU has been searching for — much like Montae Nicholson could be — and Williams happens to be the perfect solution to a struggling secondary.
If Mark Richt gets fired from Georgia, don’t be surprised if Price commits to the Spartans and Williams follows his lead.
Next: 2. Ryan Kelley, QB
Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) looks to make a pass in the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Recently deciding that he would announce his college choice in mid-November, four-star quarterback recruit Ryan Kelley might just be the top-rated gunslinger the Spartans have gone after — maybe ever.
No disrespect is meant toward guys like Connor Cook, Kirk Cousins, Drew Stanton, Brian Lewerke, Damion Terry, Tyler O’Connor or Messiah deWeaver, but Kelley has been ranked higher than all of those guys were on all recruiting services.
In fact, Kelley is currently the No. 64 overall recruit and the third-best pro-style quarterback in the 2017 class, and he has the Spartans in his top-five heading into the final decision in a couple of weeks. Many believe he will stay out west for college, but the Spartans are on his trimmed list for a reason, so there’s no reason to rule them out just yet.
Believe it or not, Kelley does have a connection to Michigan State in the form of Hunter Rison who happened to be teammates with the highly-regarded four-star QB when he played high school ball in Arizona for his freshman and sophomore seasons.
The two have shown a desire to play in college together and have likely talked about it since Rison moved to Michigan.
It would be pleasant surprise if Kelley chose MSU, but the Spartans have been known as ‘QBU’ in recent years, and there’s no way the attractiveness of the program won’t be enough for this kid.
Next: 1. Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR
Sep 19, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans receiver Aaron Burbridge (16) catches a touchdown pass against the Air Force Falcons during the 1st quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
I have had the pleasure of witnessing Donovan Peoples-Jones perform in person three times during his junior campaign at Cass Tech (Mich.). The one thing I can honestly come away with regarding his play is that he’s the real deal.
Along with Peoples-Jones, under-recruited quarterback Rodney Hall happens to be a guy in which the Spartans should also take a look at because he might be the best recruit in the state of Michigan who no one is talking about — trust me, I’ve seen him play.
The five-star receiver makes catches that Calvin Johnson would have a difficult time making these days and he makes it look pretty easy. There is no doubt that Peoples-Jones will be the most coveted recruit in the class and the Spartans will have to fight off basically every other program in order to land the elite prospect.
Next: MSU Basketball: 5 bold predictions for the 2015-16 season
Over the summer, Peoples-Jones was dubbed the top athlete in the nation for his performance at the Nike Opening back in July. He wowed the crowd and made every program in the nation desire his services for three-to-four years starting in 2017.
One thing that could help the Spartans with Peoples-Jones’ recruiting process is the commitment of four-star safety Demetric Vance for the 2016 class. His current teammate could be in his ear about committing to MSU, and that would definitely make the Spartans’ 2017 class one of the best in the country.