ESPN: Michigan State's Bai Jobe selected as Preseason Big Ten Freshman of the Year

Michigan State's top signee from its 2023 recruiting class is already generating some hype and excitement in East Lansing.

Former four-star EDGE prospect Bai Jobe, who was the No. 55 overall player in his class, has been selected as the preseason Big Ten Freshman of the Year by ESPN. Jobe, a native of Senegal who played his high school football in Norman, Oklahoma, is the highest-ranked prospect that MSU head coach Mel Tucker has signed during his tenure in East Lansing.

Michigan State's new defensive line coach, Diron Reynolds, raved about Jobe's skillset during media availability earlier this month.

“The guy is athletic beyond belief,” Reynolds said. “Just his get-off, his approach to the game. He’s working hard to study the game. It’s just so different with him – him being from a foreign land and playing football only a couple years, it’s just so different for him. He’s still learning the game but his athletic tools are really unmatched. Once we’re able to blend both of those deals together, we’re going to have something special.”

Jobe came to Michigan State with a natural ability to rush the quarterback. Reynolds indicated that the freshman needs to get better at run defense before he'll be an every down player for the Spartans, but MSU will certainly look for situations to get Jobe on the field this fall.

“A guy like Bai, you look at what he is,” defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton said. “His skill and his specialty is pass rush so whenever we get those opportunities we’re really trying to say, 'Okay, hey, how far can Bai come along and play?' … If we feel like we can find a role, something that they can do, we’re going to try to feed them that role as much as we can because it’s something they’re naturally good at.”

Back on national signing day, Tucker described the type of prospect the Spartans were getting in Jobe.

“His potential is through the roof,” Tucker said. “He’s got the quickest first step, I believe, in the country, getting off the ball.”

Jobe had offers from the top programs across the country, but ultimately chose to sign with Michigan State over fellow finalists Alabama and Oklahoma. While he's only been on campus for a few months, Jobe is enjoying his time at Michigan State.

“It was hard,” Jobe said of the recruiting process. “As soon as I found Michigan State, I said maybe this is my place and I always had a right thought that here is the best place and still here is the best place for me and I love being here. If I was going to choose a school again tomorrow, I’m going to choose Michigan State for sure.

“I love it here, I love my new place and I feel like Michigan State is really my new place, my new home and I enjoy being here. I love people around here and working with them. It’s just been a blessing for sure."

Jobe has developed a friendship with a fellow West African in MSU men's basketball center Mady Sissoko, and is developing a bond with Tucker as well, which has helped the freshman's transition to a new home go smoothly.

“I like it here because I like Coach Tuck and I like the coaches that I have right now and they’ve really been helping a lot and I’m glad I’m here,” Jobe said. “I love to be a Spartan Dawg.”

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