Michigan State Football: Virginia DT Jowon Briggs should be transfer target

Jowon Briggs, a former top-100 recruit, is transferring from Virginia and Michigan State football needs to make him a priority.

Two years ago, Jowon Briggs was seriously considering Michigan State, naming the Spartans in his top 10 schools list.

Briggs was one of the nation’s top recruits, ranked No. 75 overall by the 247Sports Composite. Just days after visiting Michigan State unofficially, he committed to Virginia and Mark Dantonio swung and missed on an elite defensive tackle from Ohio.

Now Briggs is back on the market, announcing his decision to transfer from Virginia on Tuesday evening.

And while Dantonio is no longer in town, some of the same staff that recruited him is still in East Lansing. Ron Burton is familiar with Briggs and has to like what he sees from the 6-2, 295-pounder from Cincinnati. Michigan State could use some depth on the defensive line and Briggs would be that perfect addition.

However, he’s going to be a highly sought-after transfer as he was in the midst of a breakout sophomore season, totaling 20 tackles, four tackles for loss and three sacks in just seven games.

Michigan State might have to fight off some blue-blood programs that were in his top 10 originally like Alabama, Penn State and Ohio State. Tennessee, Kentucky, Pitt and Rutgers will also likely make that push again after seeing him flourish in Charlottesville.

The defensive line is a major need for Michigan State and adding a veteran like Briggs with starting experience would be huge. Mel Tucker will probably hear from his staff about the need for Briggs and he, too, realizes that. Will he be able to steal Briggs away from the big boys? We’ll see, but the interest is probably there from both sides.