Nightly Recruiting Briefing: More Michigan State recruiting Q&A

In tonight’s Nightly Recruiting Briefing we will discuss the latest Michigan State recruiting question and answers.

The question for tonight was submitted via The Underground Bunker message board.

Question: What group do you think will be our strongest position group going forward from a recruiting/depth standpoint after this year’s class is wrapped?

Answer: Once you include the 2024 class, and back to the Class of 2023 and 2022, I would go with the defensive back position group. Although young, the defensive back room has welcomed in many fresh faces over the past few recruiting classes. Since arriving at Michigan State, Mel Tucker has not signed a defensive back class smaller than four members.

Tracing back to the Class of 2022, safety Jaden Mangham has already seen the field, playing in nine games as a true freshman. Michigan State expects Mangham to take another big step as a sophomore, as he will be joined by fellow 2022 class member Malik Spencer who will also enter his sophomore year at safety.

Also in the Class of 2022 is versatile defensive back Dillon Tatum, who played in all twelve games as a freshman, starting at cornerback in multiple games. Cornerback Ade Willie will also enter his sophomore year, playing in six games as a freshman, majority of the snaps coming on special teams.

The sixth defensive back in the 2022 class is redshirt freshman Caleb Coley, who has been repping at cornerback. Coley was injured for the majority of his freshman campaign, as he has drawn some buzz as a newcomer to watch during off season workouts.

The early success of the 2022 class on the field was parlayed with four defensive backs in the 2023 class, and five more in 2024. The members of the 2023 class will enter their freshman seasons with Michigan State. The Spartans signed cornerbacks Chance Rucker and Eddie Pleasant, getting a head start as both enrolled early with the Spartans in December. Michigan State also signed defensive backs Sean Brown and Philipp Davis in the class.

In 2024, Michigan State holds five defensive back commitments including cornerbacks Jaylen Thompson and Camren Campbell. The Spartans also hold a pair of commitments from safety prospects Reggie Powers and Syair Torrence. The fifth commitment comes from athlete Justin Denson who will likely start off as a cornerback, with the chance to slide to safety with positional versatility.

Honorable mention: RB, OL, QB

Michigan State has also parlayed recruiting success well on the offensive side of the ball, at both the quarterback, running back, and offensive line positions. Running backs coach Effrem Reed dipped in the transfer portal this offseason, landing redshirt sophomore Nathan Carter, who is expected to carry a large role this fall. The Spartans also landed three-star speedster Jaelon Barbarin, known as one of the fastest recruits in the class of 2022. Barbarin could also find his way on the field as soon as this fall, also touted for his pass catching ability out of the backfield. Michigan State will also welcome four-star RB Anthony Carrie in the Class of 2024, as Reed also continues to recruit four-star Jason Brown.

Spartan offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic holds four offensive line commitments in the 2024 class. Michigan State also signed three four-star linemen in the Class of 2023 and four more in the 2022 and 2021 classes each, as Kapilovic continues to develop his group.

At quarterback, things are still unproven on the field, but offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jay Johnson has stacked three solid recruiting classes in a row, landing four-stars Katin Houser (2022), and Sam Leavitt (2023), along with son of NFL veteran Matt Hasselbeck, Henry Hasselbeck in the 2024 class.

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