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Michigan State Football: 5 early signees who will have immediate impacts in 2020

By Connor Muldowney

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 13: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans looks on against the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 13, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 13: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans looks on against the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 13, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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There were a few guys that seemed like they might be looking elsewhere during the recruiting process and Michigan State would have a hard time keeping them and Simeon Barrow Jr. was one of those prospects.

The three-star defensive lineman from Grovetown, Ga., committed to Michigan State in August and then watched as the Spartans’ season went exactly the opposite of how they planned.

Barrow Jr. then kept his options open, taking visits to Virginia Tech and West Virginia, but ultimately decided to remain a Spartan, signing on Wednesday. This was huge news for the class because he could be one of those defensive line pieces needed to help replace Mike Panasiuk, Kenny Willekes and Raequan Williams up front — there’s plenty of playing time to be had.

Couple the openings on the defensive line with the fact that Barrow Jr. is one of the strongest players in the Spartans’ class and can wreak havoc on opposing linemen and you have a recipe for a kid seeing the field early and often.

Barrow Jr. stands 6-2 and weighs 252 so he could play either end or tackle — I’m leaning toward the latter — but his get-off for a big guy is impressive.

The Georgia-native is ranked the No. 975 player and 45th-best weak-side defensive end in the class.

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