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Michigan State Football: Grading the Spartans’ 2018 recruiting class

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 21: Running back LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans high-steps into the end zone to score against the Indiana Hoosiers on an 18-yard run during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium on October 21, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Indiana 17-9. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 21: Running back LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans high-steps into the end zone to score against the Indiana Hoosiers on an 18-yard run during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium on October 21, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Indiana 17-9. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 04: David Dowell #6 of the Michigan State Spartans runs back a second half interception in front of DeAndre Thompkins #3 of the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 04: David Dowell #6 of the Michigan State Spartans runs back a second half interception in front of DeAndre Thompkins #3 of the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Defensive Backs: A

This might be the pride of the 2018 class. The defensive backfield was bolstered, as if it needed any more improvements. Michigan State landed four-stars Kalon Gervin and Xavier Henderson to go along with three-stars Michael Dowell, Davion Williams and Christian Jackson.

I don’t even know why I’m stopping at an A for this group, it could warrant an A+ grade.

Let’s start with the highest-rated kid in the class: Gervin. The four-star cornerback from Detroit, Mich., was originally committed to Notre Dame, but reopened his recruitment and eventually picked the Spartans. He’s a heck of an athlete and is ranked the No. 188 recruit in the class. He’s also an early enrollee, so keep an eye on him this spring.

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Henderson, a four-star athlete, could play either position in the defensive backfield. The versatility to play either safety or corner makes him a coach’s dream and that’s the type of kid that excels under Mark Dantonio. Some think he could be the most talented player in the class, ranked No. 285 overall.

Next we have Dowell, the nation’s 31st-best safety. He reigns from Lakewood, Ohio, and is the younger brother of twin Spartans, David and Andrew Dowell. He could be every bit as good as David is at safety.

Williams might be the most underrated signee in the class. He grew up as a basketball player, but picked up football recently and has become even more impressive on the gridiron — and he was a four-star basketball recruit. The Belleville, Mich., native could be a two-way star, but he will likely start out on defense as a cornerback.

Sure, I said Williams is severely underrated, but Jackson is in that same boat. The Georgia-based cornerback was the subject of flip rumors as many top-tier programs were taking an interest in the quick-twitched back with lockdown skills. This three-star is good enough to star from day one — that is if Justin Layne and Josiah Scott weren’t standing in the way.

This is an elite class of defensive backs.

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