Michigan State Recruiting: 4-star DE Dorian Hardy impressed by visit

Michigan State recruiting recently hosted four-star 2018 defensive end Dorian Hardy and the elite prospect came away impressed.

Michigan State recruiting is hoping to make a splash with the 2018 recruiting class and coach Mark Dantonio is already getting a jumpstart, extending a slew of offers to elite prospects from the class.

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One such target happens to be four-star defensive end Dorian Hardy from Montvale, N.J. The Spartans haven’t exactly dominated the East Coast like Michigan has over the past year, or so, but Dantonio is trying to ensure he can snag one of the area’s top defensive studs.

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The big four-star from the 2018 class made his way to East Lansing this past weekend with 2018 dual-threat quarterback Shelton Applewhite from Wayne, N.J., and enjoyed every second of it.

Not having visited before meant that Hardy would learn more about the green and white and get his first taste of campus.

"“The overall visit went really well, for the coaches to come in on a Sunday just to see me and Shelton Applewhite means a lot to me.”"

Hardy did learn some facts about Michigan State’s campus, such as it being the first college in the U.S. to have its land granted to it by the government. He also learned something more that kids his age looking to play football at the collegiate level have noticed.

"I found out a few new things on my MSU trip,” Hardy said. “I learned that over the past 8 years they have beaten Michigan 7 of the 8 times I believe.”"

As crazy as it may seem, kids from the class of 2018 have really only seen/remembered Michigan State as a successful program. Mark Dantonio took over in 2007 when John L. Smith wasn’t getting the job done and these kids were six and seven years old.

Since Dantonio grabbed hold of the program, Michigan State has been one of the elite Big Ten teams and a top-10 squad in all of college football on a consistent basis, beating teams like Georgia, TCU, Stanford, Ohio State, Baylor and Oregon over the past few years.

The 6-foot-5, 245-pound weak-side defensive end also talked to the coaching staff about where he would fit into the defensive scheme.

"“They said I will be able to fit in the defense well, they compared me to Shilique Calhoun, who is also a New Jersey native that was drafted this year. They said with my size speed and strength I will be a great edge rusher for the program.”"

Being compared to Shilique Calhoun is definitely a positive for any young kid as he’s one of the best pass rushers to play for Michigan State and arguably the best defensive end in the Dantonio era.

Although Hardy is looking to get back to see more than what he saw on his most recent visit, he did have positive things to say.

"“It did increase my interest in the school. It’s still early in the process but I can say I have an interest in Michigan State for sure.”"

Hardy will look to take another visit to Michigan State in the near future, then he can really gauge his interest in the program, compared to other schools.

The New Jersey native is ranked No. 187 overall and as the sixth-best at his position in the 2018 class. He visited Michigan on Saturday before heading to East Lansing on Sunday. Hardy has also received interest from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, LSU, Miami, Nebraska, Penn State, Wisconsin, Tennessee, North Carolina and Rutgers, among others.