Michigan State Football: 5 most intriguing freshmen for 2018

The 2018 season is approaching and the freshman class has impressive depth, loaded with talent. Which five Michigan State freshman will impress?

Mark Dantonio often gets criticized for his lack of blue-chip recruits and while it’s sometimes a fair knock on the elite head coach, he has also proven he can do more with less.

In fact, he is one of the best developers of talent in the country, sending multiple two-star (Darqueze Dennard, Le’Veon Bell, Trae Waynes) and three-star (Kirk Cousins, Connor Cook, Shilique Calhoun) players to the NFL. Heck, he’s even sent a former walk-on (Jack Conklin) to the league.

The 2018 recruiting class is already on campus and Dantonio will get an opportunity to show he has an eye for talent by getting some of these guys on the field right away.

The intrigue level for a handful of first-year players is through the roof, even though some may not be talking about them as All-Big Ten freshmen.

These five true freshmen could have big 2018 seasons.

People seem to forget that La’Darius Jefferson was the Mr. Football recipient in the state of Michigan for the 2017 season. He actually became the fifth Michigan Mr. Football to commit to Michigan State in 10 years and third in a row.

You don’t earn that award, especially in a loaded class, if you aren’t an incredible athlete with a high ceiling. He played quarterback for Muskegon and showed off his versatility, leading his team to the state championship. Though he was a dual-threat in high school, he’ll be making the switch to either running back or receiver at the next level.

Before the new redshirt rule for freshmen came out (where they’re allowed four games of play while retaining that redshirt), I’d say he would likely see it exercised. However, there’s a good chance he’ll see the field in some capacity and he could be a surprise star.