5-Star LB Dante McClellan Set to Meet With MSU

Michigan State will need an infusion of talent on its roster if it hopes to return to college football's national stage. It hopes 4-star LB Dante McClellan will help it do so.

Ousted MSU football coach Mel Tucker is featured on an Michigan State Football license plate on a / Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal

Michigan State is beginning a rebuild. In college football, the first thing any program needs to start turning any program around is talent.

The Spartans have lacked in that area over the last few years, mainly since the emergence of the Name, Image, and Likeness deals that have taken over the college football landscape. 

With a new head coach at the helm, recruiting and developing the best talent will arguably be the most critical task for MSU coach Jonathan Smith and his coaching staff. After finishing with the 46th-ranked recruiting class in 2021, the Spartans’ 2022 and 2023 recruiting classes were ranked 23rd and 24th, respectively. However, the improvement in recruiting didn’t translate to the field. 

After spending the last six seasons competing against one of college football’s highest-spending programs, the Oregon Ducks, Smith understands the importance of recruiting top talent to take a program to the next level. He is tasked with navigating an ever-changing college football landscape where players have more power than ever.

MSU will reportedly host Dante McClellan, a 4-star linebacker from Canton, Ohio, one of the top recruits in the 2025 class, per Allen Trieu of 247Sports. Trieu reported the Spartans have officially set up a June 1 visit with McClellan. McClellan is one of Smith and the Spartans’ top priorities in the 2025 recruiting class. 

247Sports ranks McClellan as the No. 41 linebacker in their 2025 recruiting class, making him a potential instant impact player for the Spartans if he chooses to come to East Lansing. He ranks as the No. 349 overall prospect in the nation and one of the top-15 players from Ohio, regardless of position. 

MSU is one of over 20 programs to extend an offer to the talented linebacker. McClellan will consider the best options for him, as he will also be visiting Tennessee, Rutgers, and Louisville. Minnesota, Missouri, and Kentucky are also in the mix to sign the Ohio native. 

If the Spartans hope to improve, they must improve their recruiting abilities. Recruiting has always been important, but it has become even more critical over the last few seasons. NIL and the transfer portal allow schools like MSU to be competitive.

The Spartans must find a way to take advantage of these opportunities and secure top talent. Once they do, they can secure more top talent, as good players want to play with other good players.

The Michigan State Spartan Football Spring Green and White Game (Spartan Showcase) will be held at the High Cathedral of the Spartan Nation, Spartan Stadium, on April 20, 2024, at 2 p.m.

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