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Michigan State Football: 3 signees who’ll have instant impacts in 2021

By Connor Muldowney

STATE COLLEGE, PA - DECEMBER 12: Head coach Mel Tucker of the Michigan State Spartans looks on before the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on December 12, 2020 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - DECEMBER 12: Head coach Mel Tucker of the Michigan State Spartans looks on before the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on December 12, 2020 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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When you have the bloodlines of a prospect like AJ Kirk, you’re probably going to be a special player. Kirk is the younger brother of former Ohio State star Mike Doss who also played in the NFL and despite living in Columbus and playing high school ball in Ohio, the three-star safety decided to commit to Michigan State.

We haven’t heard a ton about Kirk because his recruitment was incredibly lowkey — not a bad sign — but he has the potential to play safety or maybe at that hybrid nickel spot.

Michigan State’s secondary took a big hit this offseason, especially at corner, but Kirk is going to be a safety or a nickel at the next level. Still, with limited options back there, Kirk will almost undoubtedly see some early playing time. Right now, Michael Dowell could be the top option at nickel while Darius Snow or Angelo Grose could spend time as backups but both of those guys could also be at safety and cornerback, respectively, as well.

Let’s say Snow takes over a starting safety role and Grose is a starting cornerback (which I think he should be), Kirk would be Dowell’s backup option at the nickel spot.

Either way, this aggressive safety from Ohio should see the field early. Michigan State fans are going to like Kirk.

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