The 2015 Michigan State Football Recruiting Class: Rankings and Scouting Report

The 2015 Michigan State Football Recruiting Class: Rankings and Scouting Report MSU head football coach Mark Dantonio continues to build his best class on his

The 2015 Michigan State Football Recruiting Class: Rankings and Scouting Report

MSU head football coach Mark Dantonio continues to build his best class on his best class. I wondered if he could top the 2014 class rating only on high school ability. He did it. Dantonio continues to take no shortcuts and he keeps winning. It speaks for itself. Certainly over the next five years we will learn how good this class is transitioning from high school to college. Based purely on signing day, this is the best and deepest class Dantonio has EVER signed.

Dantonio said it best when talking about this class, “When we came here back in 2007, the reality of the situation was that we were selling hope. Our facilities needed to be adjusted. We had not been to a Bowl game in a couple years. It's to a point now where we are selling results and that's a big difference.”

Each year when I compile ratings for the incoming recruiting class it is an exhaustive effort, and this year is no different. I try very hard to call coaches who coached for or against, and to do as much research as possible including speaking to multiple different (non-MSU) division one coaches to help me analyze each kid.

Why so much emphasis on recruiting? One NFL coach, when talking about his time as a college coach, expressed it better than anyone I had ever heard when he said, “It’s like getting 25 first round draft picks each year.” What a great analysis! Now MSU doesn’t sign 25 a year, but you get the point.

Please take into account that I do not use other rating systems, stars, or whatever may be available. A recruit’s true value is based upon need of the program, his ability to fill that need, his character, and finally what other schools offered him. For example, Jim Tressel told me that he has never been around a coach that can evaluate talent like Mark Dantonio. Dantonio’s track record at OSU, UC, and here at MSU proves that. When Dantonio extends an offer, time and time again he has proven recruiting rankings wrong.

As far as character issues, there are definitely some kids that would come in and fill a need and get lots of hype but wouldn’t last because of weak character or academic indifference. Mark Dantonio told me, “We recruit character first. If a guy can’t stay, he can’t play here.” Locker room issues, arrests, disrespect for team rules and personnel are issues simply not tolerated by Dantonio.

How hard are the rankings? When Glenn Winston arrived we praised his character. Coaches from his high school and MSU talked about what he had endured and what he had overcome to become a top-flight recruit. Yet, Glenn had two very publicized, off-field issues. You just can’t predict future behavior with certainty.

I like Winston. Still do. He had issues, but in the end he was a great player with off-field problems to deal with. We dig as much as we can. Even coaches can’t be certain in the end where a kid will fit. They do all they can to recruit character and talent, and then as kids develop they make their fit.

When LeVeon Bell arrived, many bemoaned Dantonio taking a no-star kid. No one knew how big LeVeon’s heart was. Now he has departed early for the NFL. Because of how Spartan Nation rates players, we had him more highly valued than ANY traditional ranking services, and we were right!

Character and academics are of major importance with this staff. Will they get it wrong sometimes? Without a doubt, but unlike in the past, they won’t take kids KNOWING they are rolling the dice.

Lastly, what other programs have offered the kid? Does a kid come from a school with a proven track record of developing talent? Do they take unheralded players, make them stars, and put them in the NFL as high draft picks? When I see a kid that is an OL or a RB and has an offer from a school that is proven there, he gets great points in my system.

So after hours of work and effort, we here at Spartan Nation excitedly present to you the 2015 MSU football recruiting class.

1) Larry “LJ” Scott RB 6’1” 215# Hubbard, OH Scott is the best high school running back the Spartans have signed since Lorenzo White. He is the real deal and will come in immediately on day one competing for the starting job. He has power, speed and balance with vision to see the field in what appears to be 360 degrees. A coach’s take: “We wanted Larry, but knew we had no shot. He was going to stay in the Midwest, but we loved him. Not sure what his weakness is, because even against the best competition he made it look like a video game.” Weakness: At the next level everyone is fast. Scott has been able to get to the hole and either run through it or create it with power. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts to waiting for holes to open. As the old adage goes, “Slow to the hole and fast through it.” Dantonio says, “Starting with our running backs, one running back we did take, LJ Scott, an outstanding player, never wavered throughout the process. It doesn't take long when you put on the film to see that LJ Scott is a guy that will be able to play in the Big Ten and carry the load. He's used to carrying it, about 9,000 yards in his time there. He was the players of the year two years in a row in his division at Hubbard High School, which is the same high school that Kurtis Drummond came from.” Coach Dantonio continued, “The main thing great vision, great cutting ability, physical, 225 pounds, 6 1, can go the distance, has everything. Played in the All Star Game out in California. But the most noticeable thing I got is he stayed the course and when he gave us his commitment, I think it was in July, he maintained that commitment throughout the entire process and never wavered when there were a lot of people that tried to knock on the door.” He added, “I think that not only him, but our entire class has shown credibility that way. We don't lose many committed guys. We never have. In this day and age, if you make the commitment here, it's okay. I know in the early process how things go but, if you make a solid commitment here, the tendency is for our players to stay with their commitments and I’m very, very proud of that fact because that speaks to the relationships that have been developed, not just among our players but among each other, with our host player and with our coaches in general.” Dantonio finished on Scott adding, “But LJ will be an outstanding player. He has the capability to play next year. I believe that. Usually running back is one of the first places you can play as a true freshman. Reminds me very much of Bell, certainly much more highly recruited and we know where he's at right now. He'll have an outstanding career here.”

2) Raequan Williams DL 6’6” 280# Chicago, Il Raequan is an amazing human specimen. Rarely do you find a big guy with the stamina to work as hard and long as he does. He is ferocious. He loves to attack. He brings an aggressive attack and kill style that is seldom seen in someone his age. He has NFL talent without a doubt. A Coach’s take: “We loved Rae since the first time we saw him. We thought he would have played immediately for us and tried to sell him on that. The Spartans are so loaded on the DL, but in the end his heart was with Coach D.” Weakness: Raequan is such a physical freak of nature that he has a tendency to allow his speed, strength and size to just dominate. You can’t blame him, he can. He will have to develop his technique more at MSU. That isn’t a slam because he hasn’t had to develop that up to now. Dantonio says, “Raequan Williams, defensive lineman. He's a guy that probably has had 50 plus offers, top 300 player, 6 2, 6 3, 6 4, 6 5, 280 pounds, very athletic on the basketball floor and on the football field, as well. Has not been playing football all that long. Extremely powerful and athletic is the word that you use. I guess you look at him as a larger Lawrence Thomas as we recruited LT.” Dantonio added, ‘But he will be a fixture here, and when you are around Rae Rae, he just makes everybody better around him in terms of what he does, in terms of the intangibles, the way he brings forth effort from people and the way he works. When I saw him working on the basketball court, and they have an outstanding basketball team up at DePaul Catholic, the way he worked with his coach was very, very impressive. He did beat me in Pig, okay.”

3) Kaleel Gaines DB 6’ 170” Frostproof, FL Gaines is, simply put, a football player. Put in the tape and you see him making plays on both sides of the ball. Lightning fast, he is everywhere and unlike many his size, he is not afraid of contact on offense, defense or special teams. A Coach’s take: “Some young men are given talent and develop it. Gaines was given an athletic gift. You watch him and marvel at his physical skills, but when you look closer he has one of the highest athletic IQ’s that I have seen. He just knows where to go. He will be a nice new toy for the Spartans as they will make up even more new ways to use him. Boles (MSU CO-OC Jim Bollman) got himself a nice new toy if he can wrestle him from the defense.” Weakness: Gaines has been prolific all over the field. He has not been allowed to narrow in on one spot or even two and master any of them. He won’t have to play every position at MSU on a very talented team. He will do well, but he has a learning curve. With his IQ DO NOT bet against him. Dantonio says, “Kaleel Gaines, one young man who reminds me of Keyshawn Martin. Electric, plays quarterback, wide receiver, defensive back, from Frostproof, Florida, guy that runs track, plays basketball, all over the place. Tough minded athlete and very highly recruited young man, and another top player I think in the country. He's the one player that we took out of Florida this year but really has the ability to run and make plays. Great young man and was up here on a visit this fall camp.”

4) Tyler Higby OL 6’5” 285# Houston, TX There is a saying in Texas that some people are all hat and no cattle. Not Higby. A true class of a person, but on the football field a mauler in the most beautiful sense of the football word. Once his hands are on you, you aren’t going anywhere. He is explosive, can move right or left and can roll his hips in ways that make ballet dancers blush with envy. Superior vision and hands has to make defensive lineman sick. A Coach’s take: “What stood out to us early was the kind of kid he was. When you watch him play you think bad a** and he is. When you meet him you think you are meeting a hospice volunteer. Compassionate, wise beyond his years and a true gentleman. Everything you see off the field -- he is the opposite on it. We thought keeping him down this way was possible, but he was married to Mark (Dantonio) and didn’t want to even talk after he gave his pledge up there.” Weakness: Has to learn to play with his head up. Higby owns the line and is so used to pancaking guys and mauling them that he looks at his feet to make sure he doesn’t get caught up in the collateral damage. If he plays looking down at this level he will get knocked on his rear. Easy to learn, just hasn’t had to. Dantonio’s take, “Tyler Higby from Houston, Texas, was the Player of the Year, outstanding lineman of the year in Houston, private school, and comes from an outstanding high school, Kincaid High School. Basketball player. Has relatives up here in Michigan. I think that was the attraction. Committed early in the process, as well. Athletic, very athletic and big, another big guy that will pay dividends down the road in terms of what he will be able to do. But everywhere you go, in that high school, or that school really because it goes from age four on up, the people that talk about him and the things that are said about him as an individual, are very, very far reaching, tremendous. He will be an outstanding person and player here at Michigan State, a guy that was highly recruited.”

5) Kyonta Stallworth OT 6’4” 270# Saint Clair Shores, MI If you don’t love watching Stallworth play, you hate America, babies, apple pie and football. This kid is about effort, heart, and simply passion for football. He loves the game. Some people play it, love it and digest it. That is Stallworth. A Coach’s take: “We made a play on K real early. Our thinking process was that maybe he would commit and not go away from that. We had no chance. He was all in on MSU early. Not sure what the connection is there, but they had him and he is the best player in the State and worthy of that honor.” Weakness: Another big player who has dominated without needing to be technically sound. Now consider this. Some young men are not technically sound because of the level of competition they have played against. Stallworth played good competition. He was simply a man among boys. Dantonio’s take, “Kyonta Stallworth, people view him as the number one player in the State of Michigan. Guy has committed a long time ago, probably last spring. Said he wanted to play for us as a sophomore, maintained that approach throughout. Had an opportunity to watch him practice, very quick body, very explosive player. You watch him on film, as a defensive player, he's very, very good there, as well. But I really think that as an offensive player, he can get out and play a lot of different positions for us, he's athletic enough to play tackle, powerful enough to go inside but a guy that, again, another nationally recruited young man, a top 300 guy in the country. And you know, all the things that you want in an offensive lineman, he possessions went to sound mind and body camp last year as well as in our camps previously and just was dominant, was a dominant performer in that area.”

6) Noah Listermann OT 6’7” 293# Cincinnati, OH I know this will shock some of you, but I have been known from time to time to favor the big uglies on both sides of the ball. Listermann won’t be building any arks (his name is Noah), but he may have to build some coffins. He reminds me a lot of Jack and Brian Allen, just bigger. So fluid. Watching him pull down the line of scrimmage is like art. His technique may be the best of this OL class. Hasn’t been a football player for long, so while his technique is sound, he still is learning the game. A Coach’s take: “Great kid who every time you watch him he is better. Obviously he takes coaching well because you see a mistake and never see it again. His football IQ will continue to expand the more he is around the game, but I wouldn’t be shocked if he ends up your best player in this class.” Weakness: He doesn’t know what he doesn’t know about football. Has to learn the game. Football IQ can only be developed in the classroom and with reps. He will be fine, that just takes time. Some of the men on this list have been playing the game for 10 or maybe 13 years. Dantonio’s take, “Noah Listermann: big, very big offensive lineman, about 6 7, 6 6, very athletic, has not been playing football all that long. Plays five different music instruments, so we're bringing a band here. He is an outstanding young man, very, very big upside, athletic, and gets on people. When you're that big and you get on people, good things tend to happen for us. So we are looking forward to him. He will be an outstanding player here, as with most offensive linemen, probably redshirting the first year, but I think he has a tremendous upside for us, highly recruited guy, as well.”

7) Josh Butler CB 5’10 172# Mesquite, TX This kid can stop on a dime and give you nine cents change. Great vision and hands and only 5’10” but plays bigger with his leaping ability and the way he uses his body. Versatile player who isn’t afraid when put on an island like Mark Dantonio likes to do. A Coach’s take: “A special talent. I was shocked when signing day came and went and he was still a Spartan. I didn’t think there was any chance he would get out of this State. He is what the Spartans like in a corner.” Weakness: He is so good that he takes risks. Risks that are OK in high school, but get you burned at this level. He will be fine because he is a smart player, but on a team as talented as the Spartans he will get schooled on that in practice. Once he learns to do his job and not try to do everyone else’s, look out. Has a lot of Darqueze Dennard type skill. Dantonio’s take, “Josh Butler from Dallas. He took a bus up here during summer, basically because we established that, I guess that I get a reputation for putting out top defensive backs, and I guess you could say that's accurate with Trey Williams being a possible I would say it's a probable--first round pick this year. Got two first round corners if you're listening out there that have graduated from here and have played through three and four years here. Josh Butler is that kind of guy, in the top 250 prospects in the nation, very highly recruited guy, very well coached guy.”

8) Brian Lewerke QB 6’3 200# Phoenix, AZ Brian Lewerke was a superb addition to the Spartan roster. Smart like Brian Hoyer, more accurate, and an excellent player. I would bet he would disagree with me, but the best thing that happened to Lewerke was not performing as well as some others at the Elite Eight camp. Why? Because MSU didn’t care. They wanted him and they got him. I have not seen Mark Dantonio all in on a QB like this is a long time. Lewerke has every tool to be not just a good QB at what has become QBU, but a great one. A Coach’s take: “Brian was a player that I would not have believed would have gone to the Big Ten. He fits the systems out here so well, but I think you are seeing Michigan State add more spread to their repertoire and he fits it. Kid is just a winner. We were disappointed to lose him.” Weakness: You always hear coach’s complain about players who don’t care. Lewerke may be the opposite. Sometimes he cares too much. Whereas sometimes Connor Cook enrages his coaches with his gunslinger style, Lewerke will make a mistake and it stays with him. He could do well in learning from Connor Cook how to let things fall off his shoulders, as Cook did last season, and keep going. Dantonio’s take, “Our quarterback we took, Brian Lewerke, committed April 19 of last year, was one of our first commits. Again, another guy that is one of the best players in the west, another top 300 guy. Threw for 5,500 yards in his career there. Outstanding leader. Reminds me a lot of Kirk Cousins in the way he handles himself, the way goes about his business. Creates with his feet, as well as with his arm, was in camp here, and threw the ball very, very, very well with efficiency and a lot of snap. Delivery was very, very good, and has the opportunity to work out and see NFL guys every day. When I was out there, I went to the guys that were working out at his high school, Colin Kaepernick, some of these other guys. So he has coaches that have developed him to a high level and I think that he will be an outstanding quarterback for us. Excellent student, as well, and again, he's maintained that composure and commitment in a leadership position as he sort of has endured all the different people coming at him, as well. Outstanding player for us.”

9) David Dowell DB/WR 6’177# Lakewood, OH Dowell is a fun player. He just has a natural buzz around him all the time from the standpoint of being around the ball. His ability make plays is a special talent that is aided by an ability to see the field like a chess board. A Coach’s take: “We liked David’s ability to just see the field. He would have flourished in our system that would have just let him find green grass. I really see him in that system that Mark (Dantonio) runs as a hard hitting safety that really is more of a QB in the defensive backfield.” Weakness: David Dowell split his time at multiple spots so he needs to focus on DB right now to master some of the nuances. Came from a super program with great coaching so you know he can do it. Dantonio’s take, “David Dowell is a guy we recruited as slash guy, another top 300 guy. David has the ability to play corner and we will lean towards defensive back when he comes in here with the idea that if he has to go over and play wide receiver, he has the ability. He'll start at corner, transition to that field safety, which is very much like Kurtis Drummond. But he has great leaping ability, great ball skills, he's big, he tackles and he's from a tremendous high school in lake wood and very well coached. They play our defense there which gives him a tremendous upside for us, so he should not miss a beat in terms of installation and things of that nature. We look for him to possibility get on the field very, very early in his career. When you go to the defensive backs, and he would be considered one or sort of a slash guy.”

10) Andrew Dowell LB 6’ 200# Lakewood, OH I like the play of both Dowell’s but Andrew is a stone cold killer. Loves to thump people. While both brothers are aggressive, Andrew is one of those guys that almost draws sick pleasure when inflicting the other player’s body to his treatment. Plays meaner than his brother, thus one is a DB and the other a LB. A Coach’s take: “Both of these young men are so talented, but we had Andrew pegged as a starter early. Liked the way he attacks. On the MSU team that is what they bread those guys for. He will have zero difficulties fitting in. He will compete from day one and if they can redshirt him, I promise you that he will get talked about with his effort on scout team.” Weakness: Andrew plays meaner than his brother, but doesn’t have his brother’s vision to see the field. To play LB at MSU he will grow into that. Remember that most young men who are on scholarship like he is don’t see the field like his brother. In fact that is the only thing that kept him one spot behind his brother. I have NO DOUBTS the vision will come and this Dowell will do just fine. Dantonio’s take, “Andrew Dowell, one of the twins from St. Edwards, played safety in their secondary. Was running back the year before. Really concentrated on defense. Again, a state champion. Doesn't take long to put on the film, his senior film, to see that he can play. Decided on that, really very quickly after seeing the film. Makes plays in space, great ball skills, will play outside linebacker and star position for us, goes about 215 pounds, very active basketball player, both he and his brother from a very disciplined high school. State champions, played probably the highest competition in the State of Ohio. Very excited, another 300 ranked prospect or whatever. I think he's 197 to be exact, I'm not sure.”

11) Tyriq Thompson LB 6’1” 215# Detroit, MI Thompson reminds me so much of Max Bullough. That isn’t fair, but it’s truthful. He has a passion for the game that has already shown up as he enrolled early. He has made his teammates take notice at how he practices and how hard he hits. He is rated #11 on this list, but no way would I be shocked if he ends up number one. He has all of the tools. A Coach’s take: “Tyriq plays the game at another level. The way he sees the game, the way he approaches the game. Comes from a great family and is a star. No lying, we wanted him bad. Would have loved to add him.” Weakness: Able to play downhill with ease, Tyriq must improve pass coverage. Reading the running back or a TE, maybe even a slot guy shallow. He has the skills to do it and the work ethic, so it isn’t major concern. Dantonio’s take, “Tyriq Thompson, outstanding linebacker, excellent student, as well. Made the decision to come here early in the process and is enrolled now. Another young man that I just think had in his mind that he wanted to be at Michigan State because of the people and the chemistry. But with an opportunity to be here at this point in time, will have the opportunity to get on the field very, very quickly. So very, very excited to have him here. Another guy who is in the top 300 in the nation and a guy that was generally considered No. 2 or three or four in the State of Michigan as an NFL prospect, so very highly recruited young man, had opportunities to go all over the place.”

12) Felton Davis WR 6’4” 172# Highland Springs, VA I love the big wide outs and that is what Davis is. He has such smooth hands. Watch him and you can’t miss it. I love the ability to just make it look graceful. The best players make it look easy. BINGO… that’s Davis. A Coach’s take, “Fits a scheme like the Spartans very well. A big guy that can handle the type of physical play he will encounter are Michigan State.” Weakness: He is so good at getting open and using his ball skills that at times against tougher competition he doesn’t realize it is easy for some of them as well. He will need to use those great skills on every play so total concentration on every rep will be the key. Again it is not a slam on work ethic, the game has been easy for him up until now. Dantonio’s take, “Felton Davis from Virginia, top 300 guy, as well. Big, tall, 6 4 guy. Track athlete, almost like a decathlete, runs so many different events, was recruited as a decathlete by some institutions. Big, rangy, great ball skills. Been committed since early, I think maybe sometime last summer. Again, I can't remember this but it's been committed for a long period of time and has never wavered, as well. Outstanding high school, Ron Burton's high school, so you know it has to be outstanding. The relationships have been strong there ever since he's come on campus and he was up here a number of times for games and throughout the summer. So a guy that I think will find his way, we lose five wide receivers next year and I think he'll find his way on the field very, very quickly. So can be a dominant player for us. Goes up and gets the football.”

13) Justice Alexander DE 6’4” 230# Macedonia, OH No kidding…I realize we are at #13, but Justice may have the biggest upside of any player on this list or in this class. A freak of nature. Reminds me a lot of Shilique Calhoun and Demetrius Cooper. Sick physical freak, a pass rush specialist who’s a natural at the game. I hate to say this because he isn’t there yet, but he reminds me a lot of Terrell Suggs. A Coach’s take: “There is not much not to love with Justice. Great kid and person. We thought he was a guy we would move from a hand in the dirt to standing up and both sides and middle. Just created places where the offense didn’t see him and he could get lose. Just a freak in space.” Weakness: Has not played football long so he doesn’t know what he doesn’t know. Such a freak physically that he has to adapt to learning technique and using it. IF he embraces learning technique early, he could be an instant impact guy. I fully expect a redshirt, but you never know. I do know that he has the passion for the game of football and that is good news for the Spartan Nation. Dantonio’s take, “Justice Alexander, big defensive end from Nordonia, Ohio. Justice is a guy that came to camp about 6 4 plus, 230 pounds, long jump 10 3, vertical jump 35 inches, runs in the 4 7 area. Has a huge upside. Has not been playing football that long. So this year he had ten sacks through his first ten games and then they went to the playoffs, all the way to the final game in the playoffs in the State of Ohio and at that point in time he had 22 sacks. He's had 12 sacks in the four playoff games. So he got better and better and better as the season progressed, and he is a true diamond in the rough, very, very athletic, can really run, and you know, will have an opportunity to be coached here with our defensive line.”

14) Cassius Peat DE 6’3” 235# Chandler, Arizona Peat has great motion on the line. He can move very quickly with a first step. He brings havoc to the play and a good ability to shed blocks. A Coach’s take, “We wanted Peat badly. Has to get bigger to play in the Big Ten, but he has a non-stop motor that helps him get up and after the ball.” Weakness: Peat tries to do too much. Needs to slow down and understand how much misdirection is part of the game at this level as he bites often on fakes when he is playing too aggressively. Dantonio’s take, “Cassius Peat. Big time player. Came down to obviously some very, very big programs throughout this country. Very active player. Shows power, plays on a basketball team, as well, Corona. Is an outstanding basketball team. I think they may be undefeated. Maybe they have lost one game, I believe, to a team from Connecticut. This will be the third time maybe they have an opportunity to win the state championship, if they can roll through the playoffs. But the big body power forward type guy, very, very athletic, shows a lot of power in everything he does. Plays with great effort and a guy that I think could get on the field very, very early for us at defensive end. Another top 300 prospect, his dad played with Coach Roushar, and also played with Coach Burton in the NFL. So there were some relationships built along the way. He just got that feeling as we went through that process, so very, very excited about him in joining us.”

15) Darrell Stewart WR 6’2” 195# Houston, TX Stewart can catch the ball so well. He has soft hands. He has a football player mentality not a wide out thought process, he plays with no fear. He has great size so his upside is mammoth. You can’t teach love for the game, but Stewart sure has it. A Coach’s take: “We liked Stew as a safety and maybe even an outside backer. Real aggressive and doesn’t mind hitting or getting hit. I wouldn’t be shocked to see him move to TE up in the Big Ten.” Weakness: He can catch, but he needs to really learn how to be a wide receiver. That is fine, like many on this list he has had to play so many positions and hasn’t been able to master just one. Dantonio’s take, “Darrell Stewart is a guy that plays multiple positions. We'll recruit him as a wide receiver but he's played quarterback, defensive back and also wide receiver. Great catching ability. One of the better players in the Houston area, bringing a young man from that particular high school where he's from. Have an opportunity to play for Coach Samuels, and so that will be outstanding for him. Track guy and very, very athletic.”

16) Grayson Miller OLB 6’3” 195# Scott County, KY Grayson plays like his dad, former Spartan great John Miller. He just is always around the ball. He is so fast and athletic. How soon can he recover from an injury that cost him his senior year of high school? A Coach’s take: “Grayson wanted to be a Spartan and didn’t really want to listen to any others. As athletic as he is you can see him on either side of the ball and any several different positions on both sides. Winning programs never have enough kids like Grayson around.” Weakness: Grayson didn’t play on the most talented team in the world. Because of that he often had to play his role and others. He occasionally was caught out of position because he was trying to play several spots and not just his. He will learn to trust his teammates and just do his role. Dantonio’s take, “Grayson Miller from Kentucky. He came here in camp and earned a scholarship, about 6 2, 195 pounds, ran 4 4 two different times in camp, long jump ten foot plus, vertical 35 inches with great ball skills and you just had a feeling like somebody was missing something. So we offered him a scholarship. His father, John Miller, played here. He's a tremendous hitter, great ball skills, plays all over the place at his high school, another state champion high school down at Scott county. Was hurt in his first game of his senior year, committed early in the process at camp actually and has maintained that commitment throughout but outstanding student. Another guy when you go into the high school, I mean, I just believe you win with people. I guess that's the message here. You win with people. At some point in time, you find out the truth about people as you move through the process, and they either add to your chemistry or they subtract from your chemistry. In this case, I think all of our guys are adding to this chemistry and Grayson Miller, no question that he does that, as well. But he's big enough to go in and play star as he puts on weight, but I think he's athletic enough to step out there and play that front side safety. During camp he had the opportunity to work and was very, very good in coverage.”

17) Khari Willis S 6’ 189# Jackson, MI I may be most excited to watch Willis in the green and white. From just down the road in Jackson, this versatile athlete can do so much. Another physical freak that plays the game at a high level. Put on any game tape and you can pick him out because he plays the game every play, every down and in every situation with the most energy. A Coach’s take: ��We loved Khari as a running back. Just plays so well with the ball in his hand. We tried to see him that the Spartans have so many guys that can handle the rock or play on D that he could have been an immediate impact guy here. He will make a difference for the Spartans, he is that kind of player. Tough, tough kid.” Weakness: Willis has played a multiplicity of positions. At MSU he will get to zero in on one to perfect his craft. Like so many great players, he has had to do so many things that at times he will make a mistake at one position doing the right thing for another. No questioning his work ethic, he will fix that. When you weakness is easily fixable and you have a proven work ethic to do it, you’re golden. Dantonio’s take, “Khari Willis from Jackson, another young man who committed early in the process. Dual player, he is a running back, safety, we're going to recruit him at safety, play him at safety. Reminds me very much of Isaiah Lewis in the way he moves and the toughness factor. Isaiah was an outstanding running back, as well but he's going to show up quick on the football field. He's a no nonsense type guy so he's responsible for that right from the get go. Tough minded. He's a basketball recruit, as well. If he decides that he would want to do that, he would have my blessing to be able to do that. Our basketball coaches know who he is. He can come right down the middle of the court down the lane and slam it. An outstanding football player, as well. But very, very excited about him, about 200 pounds and it's all toughness and he's a no nonsense kind of guy, excellent student and I think he will be a quick performer for us.”

18) Tyson Smith CB 5’10” 175# West Bloomfield, MI Tyson is a playmaker. You can just see it. Lost a lot of senior year due to injury, but he showed plenty to earn a scholarship. What he lacks in height he makes up for with leaping ability and heart. A Coach’s take: “For use Tyson reminded us as a player who could do all the special teams and we had thought of several ways we would use him and create ways to get him the ball. You find yourself being a spectator when he has the ball because he just does things that shouldn’t be done from an athletic place.” Weakness: He has all the skills; he has to simply working at honing his skills. He will. Kid may be the hardest worker in this class. Don’t bet against him or rule him out. Smith makes plays and when his career is all said and done he will have made his fair share. Dantonio’s take, “Tyson Smith, reminds me of Renaldo Hill who I coached here back in the 90s. Very smooth, very athletic. Very, very aware as a football player. Great ball skills. He's been in our camp the last couple years. He's the nephew of Bobby Williams, good friend of mine, and I just can't say enough about him. Again, another young man who was on a state championship football team, another young man in the top 300 of prospects. That's a very general term that's thrown out there but with that comes all different kind of recognitions. Plays baseball, runs track. Tyson Smith, very smooth, just played safety this year, was hurt after the first five games so he didn't finish the season but played corner as a true freshman he may but as a junior he played corner then. Outstanding football player, very well coached, excellent kick returner, punt returner. As I said, took the bus up two days riding to get here and experience Michigan State. Made that decision early in the process among about, I think he had about 50 scholarship offers.”

19) Drake Martinez DB 6’2” 205# Mission Viejo, CA *JUCO* Technically 2013 Class I love the game that Martinez brings to MSU. He is so athletic. A great kid who can make plays the former Husker was not one who thrived under Bo Pelini. Had he still been at Nebraska, I have no doubt under new Coach Riley he would be a starter this year. A Coach’s take, “Drake is a young man that it is easier to list what he can’t do than what he can do. Just athletically gifted we coveted his play making ability was disappointed to not see him stay out here.” Weakness: Drake is so physically gifted that he has yet to really master the skill set of one position. Once he settles on a spot his work ethic will take him places. I am hearing some good things about his appeal to play right away, but no change as of yet. Dantonio’s take, “Drake Martinez, linebacker as well, 6 2, 215 pounds, runs very effective. They say he's the No. 3 or four outside backer in the country. What Drake has done since we recruited him earlier in the process, he's electric. He can run. He can tackle. He can catch the football and he's an athlete in all respects. He can wind up playing at any position. He'll have to sit one year and play two. He made the decision to come. Even though he's had the opportunity to go elsewhere in the Pac 12 and be able to play three for three.”

20) Cole Chewins ***Not 2015 class -- 2016 Gray shirt*** OT 6’7” 250# Clarkston, MI Technically not part of this class, Chewins will enrol with this class, but not get his scholarship until January. Thus, he will be part of the 2016 class and be considered a gray shirt. I love his game. If he was really a 2016 player he could be the best player in the state of Michigan for next year. Chewins is WITHOUT A DOUBT the real deal. Not technically the 19th player in this class, he is here because he isn’t technically part of the class. Just think Jack Conklin 2.0 and you will get Chewins. A Coach’s take: “Cole is a great player. Will have to bulk up, but the kid plays on the line like a work horse. We saw him as a three year starter for us, but an immediate player. Thought we had a shot because he has to pay his way the first semester, but it didn’t work out. This was a great get for Dantonio.” Weakness: Cole has the mean and the nasty, but he needs strength and size. He will get it with Ken Mannie, and when he does, look out. Dantonio’s take, “Cole Chewins from Clarkson High School is a young man with great growth potential. 6 6 or 6 7, much like Conklin when he came in, very athletic, defensive end, could really run, has good strength, upper body strength. Plays basketball, two time state champion on their football team, as well and again, another young man when you go in that high school, what people say about him on an everyday basis, as the leader and as a doer, are things that are extremely impressive to you as a coach as you go through the process there. So he will be an outstanding player for us, as well, was defensive MVP on their team.”

21) Mufi Hunt **Not 2015 class, will be part of 2017 class as he is on a two year mission trip** DE 6’6” 215# Sandy, Utah Again, a young man who wouldn’t be close to #20 in this class, but isn’t part of this class. Just signed now. Hunt is a fierce defensive lineman who plays with a high motor. A rare combination of speed and power and plays both rush and pass with ease. A terrific player who after a two year mission trip will have some adjustment but will be a big impact player. A Coach’s take: “Mufi is a special player and an even more special person. A high motor for a lineman that really should set him up for an NFL career should he not go backwards while out of football for two years.” Weakness: Mufi is brute force strength. He just owns the line of scrimmage. Won’t be able to do that and he will have to add weight and strength ASAP upon returning. Dantonio’s take, “Mufi Hunt is our last guy, I believe. He's a little bit different situation. He committed today from another had opportunities to go throughout areas in the west out there, from Utah. Came on a visit a couple weeks ago. He will go on his mission first of all, for two years, before coming here, I guess it will be in 2017. Again, I think that speaks volumes about what's going on here in terms of our culture. He is an outstanding football player. Big bodied, tremendous acceleration. He will be mature when he comes back from his mission. I believe that God sent him on a mission to do some great things in his life initially, and when he comes back, as he said, he will join his Spartan brothers. His Spartan brothers will be waiting here when he comes back and that completes our class.”

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