Mark Dantonio Looks Back to Ohio for Another DL

Under Head Coach Mark Dantonio the Spartans have made a concerted effort to lure in recruits from all over the country but one of the hotbeds for college

Under Head Coach Mark Dantonio the Spartans have made a concerted effort to lure in recruits from all over the country but one of the hotbeds for college football talent has always been Coach D’s home state of Ohio. 2010 is loaded like any other year, but one prospect that stands out is Defensive End Jibreel Black.

 

Only a handful of 2010 prospects nationwide have been offered football scholarships by Michigan State and Black is one of the chosen few. That alone speaks to his talent as a disruptive force on the defensive side of the ball.

 

It’s no secret that the Spartans love versatility and Black is no exception to that rule. The 6’2” 253-pounder traditionally plays at DE but has said that in the next year he will be playing linebacker as well, giving him the experience at two valuable defensive positions and the Spartans may even look to move him inside to the DT.

 

Black is often praised for his superior hands, which are key for a defensive lineman when trying to control and shed his blockers.

 

MSU is not the only school to notice the Wyoming (OH) product either. Black has gathered six offers from Cincinnati, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, West Virginia, and most recently, Michigan State. Black is also hearing from Connecticut, Illinois and Minnesota, just to name a few.

 

The one school that seems to have a leg up in this race is Indiana. The Hoosiers already list one member of the Black family on their roster; Jibreel’s older brother, Freshman DT Larry Black. Although the family connection can’t be overlooked, Black has also expressed interest in playing in the SEC, with Kentucky having already offered him, which may outweigh the brotherly love in the end.

 

While Black’s list of schools is no doubt impressive he still ahs some areas that need to be improved before he steps foot on whichever campus he chooses. He, like many young D-Lineman, has wavering technique and tends to overpower his blockers; two traits that will not treat him kindly at the next level if he does not adapt. Black doesn’t have the best timed speed (he ran a 5.0 40-yard dash) but he does have tremendous game speed, which will help him as he makes the transition to college.

 

MSU covets Black and no doubt will push as hard as ever to secure his services but patience Spartan fans, it is early on in the process and there will be much more heard from Jibreel Black before all is said and done.