Breaking down MSU's recruiting class
Scout.com Midwest Recruiting Manager Allen Trieu, The Detroit News' recruiting columnist, provides the highlights for Michigan State's recruiting class.
Instant impact
There is a good chance for more than one receiver to play with Aaron Burbridge, Macgarrett Kings and DeAnthony Arnett all graduating. The obvious choices are Cam Chambers and Donnie Corley because they are enrolled early and will go through spring practice. Who plays and who plays more likely will not come down to athleticism and catching the ball, something all four MSU wide receiver commits have, it will come down to blocking and knowing the playbook. Both Chambers and Corley are bigger kids who should be able to handle the blocking part.
Best athlete
By many accounts, West Bloomfield star Trishton Jackson could have been a Division 1 basketball recruit, as well. He made some eye-popping plays in the open field as a quarterback, and having only dabbled as a wide receiver, went to several camps and 7-on-7s last offseason and showed excellent natural ball skills. Once he gets to Michigan State and can focus solely on football and being a wide receiver, he could quickly become a major contributor.
Under the radar
Michigan State has found sleepers in Ohio before. From Jerely Worthy to Greg Jones, Le’Veon Bell and B.J. Cunningham to Connor Cook, MSU’s hit rate on Ohio kids who may not be ranked highly or have big offer lists has been quite high. Linebacker Joe Bachie is next in line. His outstanding senior season, where he showed speed and physicality have many analysts believing he will be a great fit with the Spartans.
With little pomp, MSU's hits its recruiting goals
Rankings riser
Battle Creek Central’s Brandon Randle is a great athlete who played linebacker, defensive end and wide receiver his junior and senior seasons. He went from being somewhat under the radar last summer to a four-star recruit and Army All-American as a senior. With his length and ability to rush the passer, Randle could be looked at for a variety of roles and positions in East Lansing.
Best recruiter
Quarterback Messiah deWeaver has been front and center when it comes to spreading the word about Michigan State to other recruits and keeping in contact with prospective targets. DeWeaver is a big signal-caller with a good arm and excellent intangibles and for all of those reasons, he is a key part of this class, but his contributions as a recruiter should not be overlooked either.
Most pro potential
There could be several candidates here, but four-star Darien (Ill.) Hinsdale South defensive end Josh King just looked a little different from the rest of the pack down in San Antonio at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. At 6-foot-6, his size was immediately noticeable and his athleticism at that size gives him as much upside as just about any other prospect in the Midwest. How many 6-foot-6 kids can use strength and leverage well enough to win state wrestling championships? King did that. Given MSU’s success developing defensive linemen, his future looks extremely bright.
In the family
Hinsdale (Ill.) Central center Matt Allen is the younger brother of Spartan linemen Jack and Brian Allen. Brandon Randle’s mother, Nikkie Bouyer, signed with MSU as a track athlete out of high school.
Spartan numbers
Tallest: OT A.J. Arcuri, Powell (Ohio) Olentangy Liberty — 6-foot-6
Biggest: DT Naquan Jones, Evanston (Ill.) — 327 pounds
Fastest: WR Trishton Jackson, West Bloomfield (Mich.) — 4.41 seconds in 40-yard dash
Strongest: DT Mike Panasiuk, Roselle (Ill.) Lake Park — 43 reps at 185 pounds