Mark Dantonio Leads the Spartan Nation Heading Into a BIG Recruiting Weekend and Here is the Latest!

With National Signing Day just 3 weeks away, the recruiting trails are really starting to heat up.

The Spartans have a lot on the line this weekend with recruiting. Photo courtesy of Mark Boomgaard.

The Spartan coaching staff has put together a list of big time prospects to be on campus for the MSU vs. Illinois basketball game this weekend with a chance to make one last impression on these young men.

One criticism that can be put to rest after this weekend is “this staff does not recruit nationally.” The nine players who will be in attendance this weekend and are currently not committed to the Spartans will be coming from 5 different states.

This staff has made it clear that defense is the priority for the finishing touches on this year’s class as eight of the nine prospects are projected to play on the defensive side of the ball.

The following recruits will be on campus this weekend:

• Jibreel Black 6’2 253 – DE – Cincinnati, OH
• Corey Cooper – 6’2 203 – S – Maywood, IL
• Darqueze Dennard – 5’11 163 – WR/CB – Jeffersonsville, GA
• Michael Dorsey – 6’3 205 – S – Warren OH
• Bruce Gaston – 6’2 290 – DT – Chicago, Illinois
• Kenneth Kirksey – 6’1 290 – DT – Daytona Beach, FL
• Alex Lewis – 6’6 245 – OT/OG – Phoenix, AZ
• Davion Rogers – 6’6 210 – LB/DE – Warren, OH
• Justin Wilson – 6’0 217 – LB – Davie, FL

Black, Gaston, and Kirksey have been talked about by the Spartannation for a long time. The other names may be new to you.

Corey Cooper and Alex Lewis are the two newest prospects who have just recently popped up on the Spartans’ radar.

Cooper is a big and very physical safety. Not only would he add much needed depth to the defensive backfield but he acts as an enforcer on defense, which Michigan State needs badly.

Alex Lewis is a very good offensive line prospect. He has the frame to fill out to be a tackle but by just adding a little muscle can play guard. That versatility will be very beneficial to the Spartans, and you can never have too much depth on the O-Line.

Justin Wilson is another prospect who has recently shown up on the radar. He is very similar to Denzel Drone of last year. He has the speed, strength, and fundamentals to be a D-1 player but the Florida schools have overlooked him and the Spartans may benefit once again because of it.

Darqueze Dennard is an interesting prospect because he could fill 2 positions which are currently in need of depth, WR and CB. He would most likely split time at the two until an opportunity for significant playing time presents itself at one or the other but don’t cross out the possibility of him seeing good playing time at both.

Mike Dorsey and Davion Rogers were teammates in high school and have made it clear they would like to remain teammates in college. Both are currently committed to West Virginia but are looking to change that decision. If you were to see Dorsey you would swear he was a middle linebacker, but he is a big and very physical safety with great speed. Rogers is much like current Spartan commit Will Gholston, very tall and muscular with great speed off the edge.

The staff has also invited 7 players who are currently committed to the Spartans to join the prospects on campus. Those players are:

• Taylor Calero – 6’3 230 – DE – Beverly Hills, MI
• Will Gholston – 6’7 240 – DE – Detroit, MI
• Mylan Hicks – 5’11 180 – CB – Detroit, MI
• Travis Jackson – 6’4 265 – OG – Columbus, OH
• Tony Lippett – 6’3 185 – WR – Detroit, MI
• Marcus Rush – 6’3 225 – DE – Cincinnati, OH
• Sklyer Schofner – 6’7 275 – OT – Sunbury, OH