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Michigan State Recruiting: Top remaining 2017 football targets

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio leads his team onto the field for the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference football championship at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio leads his team onto the field for the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference football championship at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans offensive tackle Jack Conklin (74) during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2015 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans offensive tackle Jack Conklin (74) during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2015 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Robert Hainsey is easily the most sought-after offensive lineman for the Spartans in 2017. Michigan State already has verbals from four-star Kevin Jarvis and three-star Matt Carrick, but Hainsey is the crown jewel of the class.

Joel Honigford and Matt Sichterman — both three-star linemen — are also top targets who the Spartans will use as ‘Plan B’ players, but Hainsey is the guy Dantonio wouldn’t mind putting all of his eggs in one basket for.

Originally attending Gateway High in Pennsylvania, Hainsey decided to transfer to the illustrious IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., in which every player on the roster is being recruited by D1 programs. The fact that he’s the starting offensive guard for a team like that shows he can be successful at the collegiate level.

Hainsey is about 6-foot-5, 276 pounds and reminds me a little of Jack Conklin. He’s physical at the point of attack and overpowers defenders while excelling in pass protection. With a little bit of added weight, he could be a left tackle at the next level.

The four-star guard is ranked 69th overall and the third-best at his position in the 2017 class, according to the 247Sports‘ composite. He released a top 10 of North Carolina, Miami, Michigan, Penn State, Ole Miss, Ohio State, Pitt, Notre Dame, Florida and, of course, Michigan State.

Many believe it’s going to be between the Spartans and Penn State in the end.

Next: 2. Ambry Thomas

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