Michigan State Football: This list of lower-ranked Spartan recruits is amazing

Over the years, Michigan State football has sent a number of players to the NFL, but it doesn’t get more impressive than this list of lower-ranked recruits.

Michigan State finished off another recruiting class ranked near the middle of the pack in the Big Ten and No. 30 in the nation, according to 247Sports, which had some rivals poking fun at the Spartans.

A tweet from a rival fan stating that Michigan State’s 2019 recruiting class would be terrible without Julian Barnett and Devontae Dobbs caught some attention from Spartan fans on Monday as it went on to say the average commit — not named Dobbs or Barnett — is ranked No. 856 in the country.

That sparked quite the debate, but in the end, one list by Luke Dionise conquered everything and acted like a mic drop.

That list of recruits ranked lower than 700 is scary. It should discount any recruiting-related jabs rivals try and use against the Spartans because, well, it shows that Mark Dantonio has an eye for talent and is a world-class developer of it.

Let’s go down that list and see what each player has done:

• Kenny Willekes: Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year
• Jack Conklin: All-American, first-round NFL draft pick
• Darqueze Dennard: Thorpe Award winner, first-round NFL draft pick 
• Tony Lippett: Big Ten Receiver of the Year
• Josiah Scott: Freshman All-American
• Trae Waynes: All-Big Ten, first-round NFL draft pick
• Le’Veon Bell: All-Big Ten, arguably best RB in the NFL today
• Jeremy Langford: Back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher, All-Big Ten 
• Connor Cook: MSU’s all-time leading passer
• Kirk Cousins: Highest-paid QB in the NFL
• Shillique Calhoun: All-American defensive end
• Joe Bachie: All-Big Ten linebacker
• B.J. Cunningham: MSU’s all-time leading receiver 
• Jerel Worthy: Consensus All-American DT
• Greg Jones: All-American, All-Big Ten linebacker
• Mike Sadler: All-American punter
• Riley Bullough: All-Big Ten linebacker
• Kurtis Drummond: Big Ten DB of the Year
• Jalen Watts-Jackson: Legend

That’s what you call debunking a common recruiting misconception. Thirteen of those guys have made it to the NFL and three are currently on the roster but sure to be selected in the coming years.

If you’re looking for more examples, I’ve got you covered:

• Jalen Nailor: Projected starting WR for 2019
• Connor Heyward: Took over as starting RB in 2018
• Matt Allen: Starting center in 2018
• Khari Willis: Team captain, All-Big Ten in 2018
• Cole Chewins: Starting OT for MSU
• Jake Hartbarger: All-Big Ten punter
• Taybor Pepper: NFL long-snapper
• Trenton Robinson: Former team captain, NFL safety
• Garrett Celek: NFL tight end

Should Michigan State be able to land higher-ranked recruiting classes based on the success Dantonio has had in East Lansing? Probably, but the head coach lands the guys who he believes he can develop into prototypical MSU players.

Dantonio doesn’t look at the stars when he recruits guys, but rather who would be the best fit, and those guys have become All-Americans over the past decade-plus.

Worried about this year’s recruiting class ranked near the middle of the Big Ten? Don’t be.