Michigan State 2024 recruiting overview: Defense
In this article, SpartanMag.com look at Michigan State’s recruiting 2024 class on the defensive side of the ball. With all five commitments coming in the defensive backfield, we will look at what is still available on the board and how we got here.
Defensive Line
Michigan State does not hold any commitments on the defensive line at either the edge rushing position or on the interior, as they continue the search for defensive tackles.
The Spartans have made five-star tackle David Stone a top priority on the interior. The five-star is approaching ten visits to East Lansing. Michigan State battles the in-state program in Oklahoma, along with a late surge from Miami. Defensive line coach Diron Reynolds has done his best to make up ground after being hired this spring, but Stone has developed several strong bonds in East Lansing. He will make his final decision on August 26.
The Spartans also made four-star Xadavien Sims, of Durant (Okla.), a top priority. Sims committed to Oregon in May. Michigan State has continued to recruit Sims, as the defensive tackle remains firm with Oregon at the moment. The Spartans will need a strong season on the field to sway Sims.
Michigan State has recently turned its focus on flipping Ohio defensive linemen Francis Brewu, currently committed to Pittsburgh, and Dominic Kirks, currently committed to Washington. Brewu visited Michigan State at the end of July for the Spartan Dawg Con recruiting event.
The Spartans also recently offered Western Kentucky commit Chukwunedu Okeke, of Mableton (Ga.) Pebblebrook. Michigan State will look for fall visits from each of the potential flip candidates.
I would expect Michigan State and Reynolds to look to take at least two high school defensive tackles in the 2024 recruiting class.
At the defensive end position, the board is still unclear.
Michigan State signed a trio of four-stars in the 2023 including highly sought after Bai Jobe, of Norman (Okla.) and Andrew Depaepe, of Bettendorf (Iowa).
Detroit Cass Tech defensive lineman Jalen Thompson could project inside at tackle despite being listed as a defensive end out of high school .
Linebacker
Spartan defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Scottie Hazelton lost out on his top targets at the linebacker position in Dylan Williams and Kamar Mothudi. Both committed to Oregon in July.
Michigan State will continue to recruit the four-star duo, also needing to expand the board following their commitments to the Ducks.
Four-star Kris Jones committed to Georgia after visiting Michigan State in June. The Spartans always sat outside looking in for Jones, trailing the Bulldogs and Florida before his commitment.
In-state four-star Jeremiah Beasley also committed to Michigan over the Spartans in late June.
Michigan State offered Boston College linebacker commit Kemori Dixon in late June. The three-star out of Danville (Va.) George Washington is yet to make a visit to East Lansing.
In my opinion, Dixon is severely underrated, as he currently ranks the No. 1532 overall recruit, the No. 139 linebacker, and the No. 41 recruit in Virginia, according to the 2024 On3 Industry Rankings.
Dixon shows the ability to cover spending time playing safety in high school. The three-star also shows the ability to come up and stop the run. He is not afraid to hit, with some violent plays on his junior tape
Defensive Back
Michigan State cornerbacks coach Jim Salgado was hired this offseason. One corner was already in the fold when Salgado joined the staff.
Three-star Jaylen Thompson, of Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Riverdale, committed to Michigan State in December 2022. Thompson chose the Spartans over a strong offer list including Georgia, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and others.
Salgado helped narrow the Spartan focus on cornerbacks, landing a commitment from three-star Syair Torrence of Syracuse (N.Y.) Christian Brothers Academy in June. Torrence was previously committed to Syracuse. Michigan offered the current Spartan commit in July.
Spartans’ secondary coach Harlon Barnett offered four-star nickel/safety Reggie Powers, of Dayton (Ohio) Centerville in the spring. He later secured an official visit and a commitment from Powers in June.
Powers committed to the Spartans over offers from Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Northwestern, Cincinnati and others.
The Spartans also landed three-star Justin Denson, of Providence (R.I.), in July. Denson could eventually move to safety, but tells SpartanMag.com he will start off at cornerback, providing positional versatility.
Barnett and company secured a commitment from speedy three-star Tampa (Fla.) Technical product Camren Campbell in June.
Michigan State will continue to recruit their class on both sides of the ball as other programs continue to come after their targets. Thompson visited Ole Miss in the spring before shutting things back down. With Michigan offering Torrence, the Wolverines will be something to watch. It seems the Spartans survived the initial push from Michigan, with Torrence remaining solid. Other programs continue to Denson as well.
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