Michigan State Football: Early look at top 10 recruiting targets for 2022
![Michigan State's head coach Mel Tucker looks on during the second quarter in the game against OSU on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.201205 Msu Osu 109a Michigan State's head coach Mel Tucker looks on during the second quarter in the game against OSU on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.201205 Msu Osu 109a](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/79190483973dc684c3ff40e7d25c69db8c2e24922bf414ca05abb2958ed82309.jpg)
Michigan State has to hope that Dillon Tatum doesn’t follow his former head coach and backfield mate to Ann Arbor because that connection will be tough to beat and he might just be the top priority for Mel Tucker and his staff in the 2022 class.
What Tucker could use as a recruiting tactic here is that he could help develop a fun rivalry for the next four years and beat his good friend and old coach along the way. Not only that, but he could get some early playing time at running back with his potential at the position and with the room potentially thinning out soon.
Tatum is ranked the No. 246 overall recruit in the 2022 class and he’s the 12th-best athlete and Michigan’s No. 5 prospect, according to the composite. Michigan is obviously the Spartans’ biggest competition here.
If Antonio Gates Jr. would be an important victory for in-state recruiting, Tatum would be a home run, especially since Michigan is the main competition.
Next. Way-too-early depth chart projection for 2021. dark