Nightly Recruiting Briefing (8/6/23): Michigan State recruiting Q&A part two

In tonight’s Michigan State Nightly Recruiting Briefing we will discuss the latest Michigan State recruiting questions submitted via the Underground message board. You can find part one of this series here.

“First 2025 commit prediction?”-MSUpolo925

My prediction for the first commitment in the 2025 class has remained pretty consistent, as I have been on the record in the past predicting Desmond Straughton to be the first to join the fold. Michigan State and Harlon Barnett have done an excellent job recruiting the hard-hitting safety out of Roseville (MI) early on. Straughton recently told SpartanMag.com that his mother gave her blessing when it comes to Michigan State. Straughton currently ranks on the boarder of four-star territory, as the No. 378 overall recruit, and the No. 30 safety in his class. He is also ranked the No. 5 recruit in Michigan by the 2025 On3 Industry Rankings. Straughton will likely continue to pick up offers during his junior season. I believe he will firmly plant himself as a four-star talent this fall.

Commitments can come out of left field sometimes, as it is not easy to predict. In the 2024 cycle, the first Michigan State commitment was not a major surprise, as it came from four-star Nick Marsh, who later decommitted and recommitted to the Spartan class.

“Will this class rank in the top 25? That’ll give us three in a row, pretty impressive depth.”-2112fan

As of right now, I do believe the route to a top 25 class would involve expanding the board, in order to get to 22-25 high school commitments. I am not sure if that is the route Michigan State will go in the 2024 class, after signing just 16 high schoolers in the class of 2023. The Spartans supplemented the 2023 class nicely, adding over ten transfers (with varying eligibility) to the group.

Michigan State currently sits at No. 43 in the 2024 Industry Team Rankings. The Spartans hold three industry four-stars, with five prospects holding a fourth star on at least one major recruiting service. There is still opportunity to climb up, as targets such as five-star David Stone would provide a massive boost. Landing Stone is not an easy task, but the Spartans are still in the thick of it with four-star running back Jason Brown of Seattle (WA) O’Dea High. Michigan State will still look to host four-star receiver Bredell Richardson, and hope to flip four-star linebackers Dylan Williams and Kamar Mothudi from Oregon.

Coming off of a 5-7 season, these are not easy recruitments to win, but ones the Spartans must in order to crack the top 25. As far as building depth, I think if you look at the 2022, ’23, and the current ’24 classes, they compliment each other nicely. In the past three classes, Michigan State has signed or received commitments from three strong quarterback prospects, along with strong depth on the offensive line and wide receiver positions. The defensive back, tight end, and running back classes have stacked nicely as well.

As Michigan State closes out the 2024 class, I believe it will be very important to monitor the defensive tackle and linebacker positions. The Spartans signed four-star defensive tackle Alex Vansumeren in the class of 2022, not signing any traditional defensive tackle prospects in the class of 2023. Michigan State does not hold a commitment at defensive tackle in the class of 2024 just yet. Michigan State will also look for high school depth at linebacker to pair with Jordan Hall for the future.

“Where does MSU stand with Bryce Underwood?”- Mile High

As of right now, I would not expect Michigan State to be a player or have much impact on the recruitment of five-star, and No. 1 recruit in the nation Bryce Underwood. SpartanMag.com caught up with Underwood in person at several events this off-season, as he said he has begun to narrow his list with the Spartans on the outside looking in as of now. Underwood has taken multiple visits to Michigan this off-season, with LSU being the Wolverines biggest threat at the moment. The five-star won’t announce his commitment until January of 2024, giving the Spartans time to make up ground. As of right now, I do not see that as likley.

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