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Michigan State Recruiting: Commitment from Michael Dowell significant for Spartans

By Michael Briggs

Nov 12, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans celebrate a win against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights after a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans celebrate a win against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights after a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan State recruiting received good news on Memorial Day, as three-star defensive back Michael Dowell pledged his commitment to the Spartans.

With off-the-field issues hovering over the football program, there has been an extended period of silence on the Michigan State recruiting front. Finally, on Memorial Day, the Spartans resurfaced with a bang.

Must Read: MSU Football: 5 reasons Spartans will turn things around in 2017

Michael Dowell, a three-star recruit from Lakewood, Ohio, made his verbal commitment to the Spartans official, spurning a long list of other suitors. While Dowell’s commitment is noteworthy on its own due to his playmaking ability, it’s especially significant for MSU. Dowell is the younger brother of current Spartans Andrew, a junior linebacker, and David, a redshirt sophomore safety.

In the past few years, Dowell’s commitment to MSU would have been a given. The Spartans brand was hot and with two brothers in the fold, why wouldn’t he come aboard? However, after a 3-9 season and countless distractions off the field, it would have been understandable if Dowell committed elsewhere. With offers from Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Ole Miss and Pittsburgh, he certainly had attractive options. In the end, though, brotherhood and loyalty won out.

Michigan State needed Dowell’s commitment now more than ever. While the staff kicked off the 2018 class by securing verbals from two four-star recruits, the commitments since then have been few and far between. The last pledge came from Ohio linebacker Edward Warinner on April 12. The class also lost a member in four-star receiver Joseph Scates.

With Dowell’s verbal, the staff can start building some momentum again. Although they’ve missed on some of their targets, there are plenty of others still considering the Spartans. Plus, while only six members deep, this class has the makings of a solid group.

Both Dowell and quarterback commit Theo Day are rated as four-star prospects by national recruiting service Scout. Warinner is the son of a coach and fits the mold of an MSU linebacker. Cornerback Christian Jackson is a legitimate 6-foot-1 and holds offers from Michigan, Pitt and Virginia Tech.

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Only time will tell if the Spartans can rebound from a nightmarish 2016, but Dowell’s commitment provides a strong boost. Now it’s up to the staff to keep the ball rolling.

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