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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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Nov 14, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Tyson Smith (15) and Michigan State Spartans cornerback Darian Hicks (2) celebrate defense stop during the 1st quarter of a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Tyson Smith (15) and Michigan State Spartans cornerback Darian Hicks (2) celebrate defense stop during the 1st quarter of a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Michigan State is fighting a serious uphill battle for four-star cornerback Amir Riep from Cincinnati, Ohio, but you can bet Dantonio is willing to put in the effort.

Ohio State is the overwhelming favorite to land one of the fastest-rising recruits in the 2017 class, but the Spartans are still trying to keep pace. If he doesn’t end up with the Buckeyes, it’s widely assumed that he’ll pick Michigan State.

Riep was just in town for the spring game in April and he enjoyed his visit, as always, and has been to East Lansing multiple times over his recruiting process.

Just how much has Riep’s recruitment blown up over the past few months? Well, he went from a kid with a normal amount of offers for a four-star to one who jumped into the top 100, according to many recruiting databases, and saw his offers more than double — he currently holds 45.

The Spartans have a recent history of success, in terms of sending defensive backs to the NFL, as both Darqueze Dennard and Trae Waynes were selected in the first round in the past three years. However, Ohio State had three defensive backs selected early this year, which may help their cause with Riep.

The lockdown corner is ranked No. 89 overall and as the eighth-best cornerback, according to 247Sports. He also holds offers from Michigan, Notre Dame, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, LSU, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Pitt, Tennessee, UCLA, USC, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Ohio State and MSU seem to be his top two. He’s the definition of a “must-get” target.

Next: 7. Todd Sibley

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