Michigan State Football: 3-star S Jah’von Grigsby a huge recruiting victory

Michigan State football landed three-star Louisiana safety Jah’von Grigsby on Friday and it was a major recruiting win for Mel Tucker.

Not often do you hear about Michigan State landing a recruit from SEC country who had two southern schools in his finalists, but Mel Tucker dipped his hand into the Louisiana cookie jar and came away with the No. 19 prospect in the state, Jah’von Grigsby.

The three-star safety from Baton Rouge was being courted by the likes of Auburn, Vanderbilt and Purdue, but a last-minute change of heart sent him north to Michigan State.

For weeks leading up to his decision date, Grigsby was looking like a lock to pick Vanderbilt as all the Crystal Balls were flooding in for the Commodores. It looked to be a tough loss for the Spartans seeing as they were in a good spot with him, but maybe he wanted to stay closer to home while getting a top-tier education.

And then the momentum completely flipped in the hours leading up to the announcement as it looked like Tucker and assistant Cordae Hankton were instrumental in putting in that last-minute work to change his mind. Hankton was a huge part of his recruitment as he’s the Spartans’ main tie to Louisiana.

While Grigsby isn’t exactly a blue-chipper, winning a player from SEC country over like this is big for the Spartans because it opens a door in the state of Louisiana and that’s a talent-rich state. If they can start a pipeline down there, Michigan State is going to benefit big-time.

Well that and the fact that Grigsby is a talented athlete who can excel in Michigan State’s defense as a speedy 5-foot-10, 185-pound safety.

Grigsby is the No. 703 player in the 2021 class and 52nd-best safety, according to 247Sports. He also held offers from the likes of Auburn, Houston, Indiana, Kansas, Louisville, Miami, Purdue and Vanderbilt, among others.

Major win for Michigan State.