Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Football: Spartans make 3-star LB Caleb Kelly’s top 5

By Connor Muldowney

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans looks on before taking on the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on December 31, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans looks on before taking on the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on December 31, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Michigan State football made the top five of 2018 three-star outside linebacker Caleb Kelly from Atlanta, Ga.

Aiming to add one, maybe two, more linebacker to the 2018 class, Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio can rest easy knowing he’s in good standing with a couple of guys. One, in particular, is three-star outside linebacker Caleb Kelly from Atlanta, Ga., who recently named the Spartans in his top five.

Must Read: MSU Football: All-time Mark Dantonio era team

The Spartans hosted three-star linebacker Chase Kline on Monday, who seemed to be on commit watch, but found out that they made Kelly’s top five as well. There really isn’t a bad take between the two.

Kelly posted his top five programs via Twitter, and there’s not really a slouch in the bunch — although Virginia has had some rough years lately.

Stanford, Tennessee, Virginia and Ole Miss will all be contending for the three-star from the Peach State, but the Spartans are hoping to beat out the bunch.

It’s interesting to see him labeled as an outside linebacker on recruiting sites since he plays primarily on the defensive line at the prep level. In fact, he’s often lined up as a defensive tackle, sometimes end, and has no problem finding his way into opposing backfields.

However, he’s versatile enough that colleges are recruiting him as an outside linebacker and he could play the role of an Arden Key-type — an LSU defensive end/linebacker hybrid.

As you can see, he has the strength to fit in on the defensive line, but his athleticism and speed are enough to make him a quality linebacker prospect. Not to mention his 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame is better suited for a collegiate linebacker as opposed to a slim end.

Kelly could play the same role as Denicos Allen or Ed Davis on the Spartan defense as a blitz-heavy linebacker.

Next: MSU Recruiting: 5 bold predictions for July

The Georgia-native is ranked the No. 686 recruit in the 2018 class as well as the 49th-best outside linebacker, according to the 247Sports‘ composite.

Home/Recruiting