Mark Dantonio and Spartan Staff Making a Last Hard Push for Defensive Tackles

Spartans Pushing Hard for Defensive Tackles

 

Since his arrival on campus Head Football Coach Mark Dantonio has made significant upgrades in many areas of the Michigan State program. Perhaps the most noticeable improvement has come in recruiting. MSU already has a very strong 2009 incoming class, but with scholarships still available the coaching staff is looking to put the finishing touches on this years group, especially on the defensive line.

 

Defensive Tackle has become the primary fixture of the staffs attention recently with some very talented recruits still available. Spartannation.com has learned that the staff has put extra attention towards reeling in top flight D-Lineman.

 

There are still plenty of space eaters available, such as 4-Star Lendell Buckner, and 3-Star’s Raynard Randolph and Deion Roberson.

 

Randolph, one of the top unsigned defensive lineman in the country, plans to take official visits in January to NC State, Penn State, Illinois and Michigan State. The 6-2, 300-pound doesn’t have a favorite listed but has narrowed his choices to those four as well as keeping his home state school, Maryland, in the fray.

 

Roberson, listed at 6-3 270-pounds, has offers from many schools including Duke, East Carolina, Louisville, Maryland, Memphis, NC State, West Virginia and Michigan State. What’s most impressive about Roberson is that he was injured for much of his Tucker High School team’s season, a season in which they won the Georgia class 4A State Title, yet still garnered so many offers. He has already paid an official visit to Louisville and plans to also visit NC State and West Virginia. No word yet on his talks with MSU but the process is just beginning for the talented Mr. Roberson.

 

The most interesting case of these three is Lendell Buckner. Once committed to play for Illinois, Buckner has been wavering over the past few months as to whether playing for Ron Zook is the right fit for him. Buckner has proclaimed a strong desire to play in the Big Ten putting MSU squarely in the thick of his recruitment. The coaches from East Lansing were some of the first to contact Buckner when they heard of his possible exodus from Champagne. Buckner has expressed interest in MSU, Michigan and has already taken an official visit to Wisconsin. SpartanNation.com has also learned that he has a visit to MSU planned.

 

As the scholarship numbers start to dwindle watch for MSU coaches to pay close attention to the defensive tackle spot as well as being on the look out for a kicker and possibly a top notch athlete if one falls into their lap the way Keshawn Martin did last year.