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Michigan State Recruiting: Predicting where top 2016 football targets land

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio leads his team to the field before the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio leads his team to the field before the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio leads his team to the field before the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio leads his team to the field before the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Michigan State recruiting is looking to end the 2016 football class strong, so who will the Spartans land?

With the 2016 Michigan State recruiting class coming to a close, the Spartans are looking to end on a high note, much like they did two years ago when they added five-star defensive end Malik McDowell on National Signing Day. Last year’s NSD wasn’t quite as busy, but the 2016 class has the potential to add two, maybe even three, recruits.

There are currently 20 commits for the 2016 class — 14 hard verbals and six early enrollees. It’s easily the most talented group in the Mark Dantonio era, top to bottom. The head coach probably has room to take anywhere from 3-5 more.

Michigan State currently has the third-best recruiting class in the Big Ten and one of the top 10 in the country, according to most services — outside of ESPN.

Let’s take a look at the remaining Michigan State targets, even some who the staff has cooled on lately, and predict where each of them will land — even if it’s not Michigan State.

Bonus: Miles Sanders, 5-star RB

Jan 2, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Team Highlight player Miles Sanders runs the ball in the Under Armour All American Football Game at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. Team Highlight beat Team Armour 27-0. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Team Highlight player Miles Sanders runs the ball in the Under Armour All American Football Game at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. Team Highlight beat Team Armour 27-0. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Projected school of choice: Penn State

It seems very unlikely at this point that five-star running back Miles Sanders would even take a visit to Michigan State. For some time, it looked like the Spartans had a solid chance of flipping the nation’s No. 1 running back from Penn State, but that is very unlikely now.

Sanders came out a couple of weeks ago, claiming that he was “100 percent” committed to Penn State and couldn’t wait to get started there. Who knows if it has something to do with his family members disapproving of the Spartans or if he is just that close with the ever-changing Penn State coaching staff.

In my opinion, the Spartans miss out on this stud running back and he’ll remain with the Nittany Lions. Don’t be too shocked if the coaching staff is let go after next season and he looks to potentially transfer, though.

Right now, Sanders is blue and white.

Next: 5. Michael Onwenu

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