Michigan State Football: Top 5 remaining targets in 2018 recruiting class

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ANN ARBOR, MI – OCTOBER 07: Michigan State Spartans head football coach Mark Dantonio enters the stadium prior to the start of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

5. Christopher Oats, 4-star OLB (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Why is Chris Oats so far down the list? Well, if it wasn’t for his postponed official visit last week, I’d say the Spartans have a great shot to land the Cincinnati-native. However, he seems to be an Ohio State-lean, with Cincinnati putting up a fight, plus Ole Miss and Kentucky have picked up steam.

I’m not going to speculate on his qualification status, as that’s been a rumor as to why he didn’t visit, but he’s looking more like an SEC-bound linebacker. Although it wouldn’t be a huge shock to see him stay close to home and play for Cincinnati with Malik Vann — a once-rumored Michigan State-lean.

Oats is a talented linebacker, there’s no doubt about that, but the interest doesn’t seem as strong now as it was a few weeks back. He stands 6-foot-4 and weighs in at about 215 pounds and is the ideal size and has the right amount of athleticism and toughness to play outside linebacker in the Big Ten.

Can the Spartans pull off a last-minute miracle and snag Oats over the likes of Ole Miss, Ohio State, Cincinnati and Kentucky? It’s possible, but don’t expect it. He’s ranked the No. 239 overall player and the 21st-best outside linebacker in the class, according to 247Sports.

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