Michigan State football: Grading the Spartans’ 2023 recruiting class

Michigan State's head coach Mel Tucker looks on during the first quarter in the game against Indiana on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.221119 Msu Indiana 044a
Michigan State's head coach Mel Tucker looks on during the first quarter in the game against Indiana on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.221119 Msu Indiana 044a /
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Bai Jobe poses for a photo at Community Christian School in Norman, Okla., Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021.cover small cutout???
Bai Jobe poses for a photo at Community Christian School in Norman, Okla., Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021.cover small cutout??? /

Defensive line: A

Much like the offensive line, this was the best defensive line class in the Mel Tucker era.

Though Marco Coleman moved on, Brandon Jordan helped bring in one of the best groups of defensive linemen not only in the Big Ten but the nation. And this could go down as one of the best defensive line classes in program history.

Andrew Depaepe kicked things off as the first pledge in the class and he’s the Spartans’ second-highest-rated signee. He’s the No. 137 prospect in the class and the 15th-best defensive lineman in the nation out of Iowa, according to the composite. He’ll be a major contributor in East Lansing and he just fits the program.

Bai Jobe is the crown jewel of the class as the nation’s No. 54 overall recruit. He’s Michigan State’s highest-rated recruit since Malik McDowell. Michigan State was able to fend off Alabama for the elite edge rusher out of Oklahoma.

And then there’s Jalen Thompson. The four-star Detroit product is the No. 228 recruit in the country and one of the best from the state of Michigan. This was a major recruiting win for Tucker and Co.