Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Recruiting: Predicting where National Signing Day targets land

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio leads his team onto the field prior to a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio leads his team onto the field prior to a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 10
Next

3. Johnathan Lovett, 3-star RB (Marlton, N.J.)

Watching Johnathan Lovett’s tape might cause your jaw to drop to the floor. The kid reminds me a little of Abdul Adams, the Spartans’ 2016 pledge who de-committed and picked the Oklahoma Sooners shortly after. No, they don’t have the same running style, but both severely underrated.

Lovett is ranked the No. 417 overall player and 30th-best running back in the 2017 class, according to 247Sports, but he runs like a top-250 player. He has speed, elusiveness and explosiveness that are hard to find in a young prospect.

Michigan State already has a commitment from four-star Weston Bridges in 2017, but after missing out on a running back in 2016, the staff wanted to take two in this cycle. Why? LJ Scott could very well leave after his junior season, Gerald Holmes is a senior and Madre London would be the only back on the roster with Bridges in 2018.

Baylor was the team trending for Lovett just one week after he seemed to be a lock to Michigan State. He took a trip to Waco, his final official, and reconnected with Matt Rhule, a coach who he had a great connection with when he was still with Temple.

However, the tides seem to be turning yet again and the Spartans could be back in the lead for the talented back from New Jersey.

Pick: Michigan State (Second: Baylor)

Home/Recruiting