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Michigan State Recruiting: Which elite prospects will be at spring game?

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 4, 2015; Kalamazoo, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans mascot Sparty on field prior to a game against Western MIchigan at Waldo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2015; Kalamazoo, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans mascot Sparty on field prior to a game against Western MIchigan at Waldo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) runs the ball against the Indiana Hoosiers during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) runs the ball against the Indiana Hoosiers during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Michigan State didn’t have a single running back commit in the 2016 class. Abdul Adams was committed, which he did the night before the spring game last year, but he de-committed in November and then chose to pledge to Oklahoma shortly after.

That leaves a big void in the backfield for upcoming years although the Spartans currently have a true sophomore who’ll likely start this season and be around for at least another year or two.

Markese Stepp could fill that void in the backfield for 2018 as the sophomore running back has ideal size and toughness that the Spartans like in their running backs. He stands 6-foot, 205 pounds and isn’t the quickest runner, but is elusive and can turn on the afterburners when he needs to.

The teammate of Emil Ekiyor rushed for 1,300 yards and 17 touchdowns on 155 carries last season — that’s an impressive 8.4 yards per touch. That speaks volumes to the talent level of both Ekiyor and Stepp.

Many believe he’s a strong Notre Dame lean, like Ekiyor, and has also received interest from Iowa, Notre Dame, Tennessee and Indiana. He ranks No. 211 in the 2018 class as well as the 12th-best running back, according to 247Sports.

Next: 8. Danny Davis

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