Michigan State adds huge class of early enrollees

Published Jan. 19, 2016 5:02 p.m. ET

Marcus Hartman

Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio's efforts to build another Big Ten champion will include eight players from his 2016 class who have enrolled early.

The headliner of the group is Donnie Corley, a four-star receiver from Detroit King High School who committed to the Spartans not long before enrolling in classes. He is the No. 93-ranked recruit in the country according to Scout.com.

Cam Chambers of Sicklerville (N.J.) Timber Creek gives MSU two four-star receivers in the class of early enrollees, and Messiah deWeaver, a four-star quarterback from Huber Heights (Ohio) Wayne, will no doubt hope to be able to develop a strong rapport with them in the coming years.

Chambers and Corley are both listed at 6-3.

"Cam is physically imposing on the football field, plus he has the speed to take the ball all the way to the end zone on every catch," Dantonio said in a statement. "He has exceptional ball skills combined with an impressive football IQ. He has a hunger to be the best."

One of the best prospects in the state of Michigan last season, Corley could also project as a cornerback in college.

"His height gives him an advantage against most opponents, and he definitely possesses the speed to pull away from defenders," Dantonio said.

"His recent commitment qualifies this receiving class as possibly the nation's best. Donnie also possesses outstanding cornerback skills, so our long-term plans include utilizing him on both sides of the football."

Also joining the MSU program in January are Joe Bachie, a three-star linebacker from Berea-Midpark High School in Ohio, along with four-star safety Kenney Lyke of Palatine (Ill.) William Fremd, four-star offensive tackle Thiyo Lukusa of Wayne (N.J.) DePaul Catholic, three-star defensive end Mufi Hunt of Salt Lake City (Utah) Taylorsville and walk-on long snapper Bradley Robinson of Troy (Mich.) Athens.

Dantonio has frequently preferred to redshirt freshmen in the past, but that is something that could change as his recruiting classes include more highly regarded prospects.

Corley and Chambers could both vie for early playing time as they join a position group that lost seniors Aaron Burbridge, Macgarrett Kings Jr., AJ Troup and DeAnthony Arnett from 2015.