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Michigan State Football: Recruiting stars don’t tell full stories

By Jordan Manigoe

EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 27: Jalen Nailor #8 of the Michigan State Spartans runs the ball for a 48 yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers Spartan Stadium on October 27, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 27: Jalen Nailor #8 of the Michigan State Spartans runs the ball for a 48 yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers Spartan Stadium on October 27, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Some fans get caught up in star-gazing, but Michigan State football has proven that stars don’t tell full stories during the Mark Dantonio era.

The recruiting dead period has started and for Michigan State, it got snubbed on a majority of their priority recruits early in the process. Fans have shown some dislike with the star power tied to recruits names, but with Michigan State, fans should know by now that stars don’t account for talent and work ethic.

There have been five-star and four-star guys who didn’t work out as planned and there have also been two-star and three-star guys who earned NFL jobs and All-American honors.

If you don’t believe me, look at the guys from recent recruiting classes.

Below are lower-ranked players from recent classes that have emerged to starters and vital players for Michigan State.

2015 Class

  • Andrew Dowell, 3-star LB
  • Tryiq Thompson, 3-star LB
  • Brian Lewerke, 3-star QB
  • Felton Davis, 3-star WR
  • Darrell Stewart Jr., 3-star WR
  • Khari Willis, 3-star S
  • Cole Chewins, 2-star OT
  • Kenny Willekes, 0-star DE (walk-on)

2016 Class

  • Joe Bachie, 3-star LB
  • Matt Coughlin, 3-star K
  • Matt Allen, 3-star OC

2017 Class

  • Cody White, 3-star WR
  • Jacub Panasiuk, 3-star DE
  • Connor Heyward, 3-star ATH
  • Josiah Scott, 3-star CB
  • Jordan Reid, 3-star OL
  • Laress Nelson, 2-star WR

2018 Class

  • La’Darius Jefferson, 3-star ATH
  • Jalen Nailor, 3-star WR

Next. 5 reasons MSU football will contend in 2019. dark

In Michigan State’s 2020 class there are names like Dallas Fincher (OG), Ian Stewart (WR), Darius Snow (S), Cal Haladay (ILB) and Devin Hightower (OLB) who were all recruited by elite programs, schools by the name of Ohio State, Michigan, Alabama, Penn State and more. So don’t be too worried about the names Michigan State is bringing in, the Spartans are still a program building to compete and win a championship.

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