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Michigan State Football: Julian Barnett, Devontae Dobbs starring at Under Armour practices

By Connor Muldowney

LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 17: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans walks on the field with the team before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 17: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans walks on the field with the team before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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Julian Barnett and Devontae Dobbs are making Michigan State football proud, starring at Under Armour All-America practices this week.

The future is bright in East Lansing and it’s never been more evident than by reading headlines from this week’s Under Armour All-American practices.

Michigan State football signees, and high school teammates from Belleville, Julian Barnett and Devontae Dobbs have been stealing the show in Orlando, Fla., ahead of Thursday night’s Under Armour All-American Game.

According to Allen Trieu of Scout and The Detroit News, who spoke to some recruiting experts in attendance, Barnett and Dobbs are standing out among some of the nation’s top recruits at Under Armour All-American practices this week.

"“We saw Dobbs at the Future 50 event here last year, and he was a little bit injured, but he has looked great at practice so far this week,” 247Sports analyst Greg Biggins said. “His team has a good offensive line group, but he has been one of the top two to three guys over there all week.”"

Dobbs is set to start in the All-American Game on Thursday night at 6 p.m. ET and it’ll be interesting to see how he performs as one of the top-two or three guys on the line. He’ll likely move to the interior at the next level and could play right away as a freshman.

And here’s the assessment on Barnett:

"“He is long and physical without being too grabby,” 247Sports’ John Garcia said. “He shows instincts and ability to read routes as well. He has stuck right with some of the best route runners down here, and kids with great speed. He has also gotten his hands on passes in practice and shown his ball skills.”"

If this isn’t high praise for both of these guys, I don’t know what is. Everyone loves a defensive back who can be physical and not grabby — Darqueze Dennard, Justin Layne and Trae Waynes — and he can play both sides of the ball. As an excellent route-runner, could we see him at receiver next year? Potentially.

Next. 5 takeaways from MSU loss to Oregon in Redbox Bowl. dark

It looks like the Spartans have two guys who could have an instant impact for Michigan State next season on each side of the ball. Catch them in action on Thursday night.

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