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Michigan State football: 3 things Jonathan Smith should know about the program

By Scott Tolonen

Oct 25, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Devin Gardner (98) is sacked by Michigan State Spartans defensive end Marcus Rush (44) during the first half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Devin Gardner (98) is sacked by Michigan State Spartans defensive end Marcus Rush (44) during the first half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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River Rouge wide receiver Nicholas Marsh (11) makes a catch in the end zone against DeWitt defensive back Nathaniel Deppen (22) during the second half of the MHSAA Division 3 final at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021.
River Rouge wide receiver Nicholas Marsh (11) makes a catch in the end zone against DeWitt defensive back Nathaniel Deppen (22) during the second half of the MHSAA Division 3 final at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. /

2. There’s plenty of talent in the tri-state area

Mel Tucker did a good job reaching out to states where Michigan State doesn’t usually recruit. He got plenty of talent in Georgia, Florida, Texas, and the West Coast.

But in his outreach, he didn’t look at places like Ohio or even his own backyard in Detroit.

One of the main reasons we were able to beat Ohio State regularly was because we would recruit the guys that OSU didn’t want, and Mark Dantonio turned that into a rallying cry for his underdog Spartans. Outsiders see Michigan State as a tough place to recruit because of Ohio State, Michigan, and even Notre Dame as neighbors, but Jonathan Smith has plenty of experience with having success despite being surrounded by high level programs.

Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania have plenty of football talent, and the right recruits are there if Smith is willing to work for it, and by all accounts, he’s there.

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