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Michigan State Recruiting: Ranking Tom Izzo’s biggest misses

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 28, 2014; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Cliff Alexander (2) claps and reacts against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at HP Field House. Kansas Jayhawks defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 82-67. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2014; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Cliff Alexander (2) claps and reacts against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at HP Field House. Kansas Jayhawks defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 82-67. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 7, 2016; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) drives to the basket in the first half at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2016; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) drives to the basket in the first half at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports /

Not quite the most mysterious of Izzo’s biggest recruiting misses, but it has to rank No. 2 or No. 3 in terms of shock value. Caleb Swanigan was the only player on this list to actually be committed to Michigan State before switching it up and picking another school. Heck, another school that wasn’t considered a national power like Duke, Kansas or Kentucky.

Swanigan committed to Michigan State on April 10 of 2015, making the Spartans’ class that much more impressive in terms of big man talent. Swanigan, coupled with Deyonta Davis in the post would be a nightmare for Big Ten opponents. Both were McDonald’s All-Americans and, at one point, future teammates.

The Fort Wayne, Ind., native was rated the No. 18 prospect of 2015 as well as the fourth-best center, according to 247Sports‘ composite rankings.

It was kind of out of the blue when Swanigan chose Michigan State. His high school was nicknamed ‘Spartans’ so when he committed, he tweeted out “Once a Spartan, always a Spartan.”

That didn’t quite work out as planned.

Less than a month after he had pledged to Michigan State, Swanigan decided to decommit, despite claiming he was “100%” committed to the Spartans. Two weeks later, he was a Purdue Boilermaker.

Everyone expected him to commit to California in the first place to join to of his good friends — Jaylen Brown and Ivan Rabb — but he surprisingly decided on Purdue. He has played one season for the Boilermakers, averaging 10.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game as they were bounced in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Swanigan has since declared for the NBA Draft without an agent.

Next: 3. Cliff Alexander

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