College Football

Michigan State Recruiting: Grading the Spartans' 2017 football class by position

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:09 p.m. ET

Fansided, Connor Muldowney/FanSided via Spartan Avenue

Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio leads his team to the field before the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s take a look at how Michigan State recruiting’s 2017 National Signing Day haul graded out, by position.

The 2017 Michigan State recruiting class is all sewn up and there were a couple of surprises on National Signing Day. The first was unrated Jalen Tolbert picking South Alabama and the next was three-star defensive end Donovan Winter not signing because of legal issues.

While Winter more than likely won’t be part of this class, the Spartans still have a solid crop of young talent coming in, despite the No. 36 ranking nationally on 247Sports. Some have called this class a disappointment while others thing it’s just underrated.

It could be a mix of both seeing as Mark Dantonio went after some of the lowest-rated guys he’s had in years, but we have to remember he had a class ranked in the 40-range the year before Michigan State won the Rose Bowl. Stars don’t always tell the story.

Let’s take a look at how the 2017 class graded out, by position group.

Offensive Line: B+

The offensive line doesn’t have many big names, but the guys that were reeled in have some character and will be valuable assets for years to come. While there may not be a guy like Thiyo Lukusa who could come in and play right away, there are kids who could avoid the redshirt and potentially crack the rotation, in a dire situation — especially since Lukusa is gone.

Kevin Jarvis: The four-star guard is the highest-ranked lineman in the Spartans’ class from Illinois and he’s likely to be a guy that will replace a Brian Allen next season. The line will be very youthful and he might crack the playing rotation early on. He has the size, strength and athleticism to be an elite lineman.

Jordan Reid: Everything I’ve seen and read on the three-star guard from Detroit Cass Tech says that he’s severely underrated and it’s a shock he wasn’t rated higher. The 6-foot-4, 286-pound guard comes from a winning high school program and could bring that success with him. I’d expect him to redshirt, but he will likely play in year two.

Mustafa Khaleefah: Escaping war-torn Iraq to earn a college football scholarship is the exact success story you love to hear about. Khaleefah even had a Bleacher Report feature video made on him describing his upbringing and how he learned to play football on Madden. The only tackle in the class will come in with a major chip on his shoulder and with something to prove.

Matt Carrick: Not many are talking about Matt Carrick, but he could be an under-the-radar guy who may just compete for a spot on the line in 2018. I’d almost bank on him redshirting this season, but his 6-foot-4, 275-pound frame has room for growth and he has a whole year to add some more strength.

Sep 2, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive end Demetrius Cooper (98) gestures to the sideline during the second half against the Furman Paladins at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Line: C

If you think I’m giving this position group a ‘C’ because of a lack of talent, you’re mistaken. The Spartans have a guy who I’m very high on in Lashawn Paulino-Bell as well as Jacub Panasiuk. Losing Donovan Winter definitely hurt the grade and the small number of defensive linemen taken is the main reason for the mark.

Michigan State needed more than three guys in the class with a thin line, but if Cassius Peat does end up back in East Lansing, this grade would be more like a ‘B’.

Lashawn Paulino-Bell: There were rumors about the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., prospect de-committing and picking another school since his recruitment had been heating up. There’s an overwhelming feeling that he’s the most underrated defensive lineman in the class and the Spartans got a major steal. He stands 6-foot-4, 235 pounds — Shilique Calhoun size.

Jacub Panasiuk: The younger brother of second-year defensive tackle Mike Panasiuk, Jacub is more of a defensive end. He has more of a frame to be a defensive tackle like his brother, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 266 pounds, but like Mike, he has the strength necessary to compete at the collegiate level.

DeAri Todd: The latest addition in the class, Todd was formerly committed to Boston College before switching his pledge to the Spartans. The staff likes his size and aggressiveness, but it’s unclear how he will fit into the defensive scheme just yet. His film is impressive, but one has to wonder why he was so lightly recruited.

Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Andrew Dowell (5) looks over the Indiana Hoosiers offensive during the 1st half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Linebackers: C-

The Spartans got their best addition to the linebacking corps in the 2017 class at the last minute in four-star Antjuan Simmons. Other than that? Disappointing class for the green and white. The lack of depth was an issue last year at the position and that remains the case this season, especially since MSU is losing Riley Bullough and Ed Davis.

I originally thought Connor Heyward would be more of a linebacker, but the athlete is projected to play offense now at either running back or receiver. I’d assume the former since the Spartans only took one in the class.

Antjuan Simmons: I’ve been high on this outside linebacker from Ann Arbor for some time. The four-star is one of the hardest hitting prospects in the class and he plays with a chip on his shoulder every down. Being a former Ohio State commit, you know he’s coming in trying to prove to the Buckeyes that they made a mistake letting him walk away. Athletic, agile and aggressive, all the traits necessary to succeed as a Michigan State linebacker.

Darien Clemons: Another kid I like but who might be a multi-year project in the linebacking corps is Darien Clemons. The three-star from Piqua, Ohio, was a running back in high school so he has the athleticism and sideline-to-sideline agility, but he is coming off major knee surgery. He’s not your typical linebacker, but he will grow into the role and he’s an impressive athlete.

Noah Harvey: The kid who I know the least about is former Bowling Green commit Noah Harvey. The three-star linebacker was the last to commit to the 2017 class in the position group and he has been dubbed a ‘Big Ten caliber linebacker’ by some analysts, but his offer sheet is mostly MAC schools. The jury is still out on the kid from Wisconsin. Two unproven linebackers and Antjuan Simmons makes for a so-so class at the position.

Nov 14, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans safety Montae Nicholson (9) congratulates Michigan State Spartans place kicker Michael Geiger (4) on made field goal during the 1st quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Secondary: B

Michigan State had some major misses in this position group. If the Spartans got some of their ‘Plan A’ guys like Amir Riep, Ambry Thomas, Ameer Speed or Naytron Culpepper, they may have finished with an A+, but that was far from the case.

The biggest surprise was Riep committing to Ohio State and then Thomas to Michigan. The cupboards were left bare in the cycle, but Michigan State still made do. The class has some hungry talent which could act as the next version of the ‘No Fly Zone’ — although I don’t like to hand that phrase out to just any unit.

Josiah Scott: One of the most underrated guys in the class, Josiah Scott is already making an impression on the coaching staff as an early enrollee. The three-star cornerback from Fairfield, Ohio, is slightly undersized at about 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds, but he has time to add some muscle before next season. Expect him to redshirt, but he could be a Darqueze Dennard physical type.

Dominique Long: Why doesn’t anyone talk about this kid? That’s actually a good question. Dominique Long is one of the more aggressive kids in this crop and he has good size for a safety. The Ohio-native has kind of flown under the radar since he committed so early, but he is solid in the defensive backfield with good speed and the ability to break on the ball.

Tre Person: A lot of people are high on this kid even though he’s rated close to two-star status. His high school coach who has been around five and four-star talents throughout his coaching career even admitted the Spartans got a major steal out of Georgia. Dantonio loves his underrated Georgia recruits and this former Georgia Southern commit might end up being the best steal of the class.

Emmanuel Flowers: From what it looks like, Flowers is just filling a position of need for the Spartans. He committed on National Signing Day and unless he makes an impression early on, he could be used for depth purposes. The Chino, Calif., safety may prove people wrong, like myself, but the two-star defensive back has some work to do.

Oct 29, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver R.J. Shelton (12) returns a kick off during the second half of a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Wide Receivers: A

Since it’s hard to group tight ends into their own category since it’s a mix between offensive line and receiver, I decided to lump them in with this position group. Given that both of the tight ends committed in the 2017 class could compete right away, that brought the wide receiver grade all the way up to an ‘A’. Is this the highest in the class?

Matt Dotson: The four-star tight end from Ohio could very well replace Josiah Price next season. Mark Dantonio loved his film after watching just a few plays and it’s evident that the staff feels he is the next big star at the position. He’s one of the more athletic tight ends MSU has had in recent memory and could be a quick fix to a thin position group.

Jack Camper: The other tight end committed in the class happens to be an early enrollee. Jack Camper graduated from the prestigious IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., so you know he is talented and competitive. He may not be as athletic as Dotson, but his 6-foot-6, 230-pound frame makes up for that. Talk about a red-zone threat.

Hunter Rison: Son of Spartan wide receiver legend Andre Rison, Hunter could be the one player at the position from this class to play as a true freshman. He’s listed as a four-star and, like Camper, is an early enrollee. I’d be shocked if he were to redshirt this season given his athleticism and playmaking ability. He could join a very talented group from last year in the playing rotation.

Cody White: Michigan’s Mr. Football joins the Spartans for the second straight year and just like last year’s winner (Donnie Corley), Cody White is a highly-touted receiver. The Walled Lake Western product played both quarterback and receiver at the prep level, but he’s expected to be one of the more athletic wide outs on the team. Big things will be expected from the 6-foot-3 target.

C.J. Hayes: Michigan State snagged Purdue’s highest-rated commit from the 2017 class and it didn’t take much of an effort as he’d wanted to be a Spartan all his life. He’s a big-bodied target, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 200 pounds, and his aggressiveness reminds me of B.J. Cunningham. If he is a fraction of what B.J. was at MSU, he will be a huge steal.

Laress Nelson: The two-star receiver was a signing day addition and he has the speed to make a difference on special teams and potentially as a slot receiver a couple years down the line. Don’t expect Nelson to play right away.

Oct 29, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) runs the ball against Michigan Wolverines linebacker Mike McCray (9) during the first half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Running Backs: B-

One of the position groups that could have afford to add another player was running back. The backfield could be bare after next season with the departure of Gerald Holmes and potential NFL declaration of LJ Scott. That leaves Madre London and whoever the Spartans brought in with the 2017 class.

Last cycle, the Spartans missed out on Abdul Adams when the three-star de-committed and picked the Oklahoma Sooners. In two years, the Spartans have reeled in just one true running back and one athlete? That’s not good for a program that consistently puts running backs in the NFL.

Weston Bridges: The Ohio-native got a ratings bump by 247Sports and he’s now rated a four-star and one of the top running backs in the country. However, he is coming off reconstructive knee surgery which is devastating for a running back, especially out of high school. He is elusive, quick and had nice field vision, but it will be interesting to see if that knee holds him back. Don’t expect him to play in 2017, though.

Connor Heyward: Heyward is a kid who I believed would be more of a safety or linebacker at the collegiate level, but the lack of depth in the backfield has led the staff to project him as a running back or wide receiver. His 6-foot-2, 215-pound frame would be perfect for a bruising back but he will need to adjust to the position. He’s a nice depth addition, though.

Oct 22, 2016; College Park, MD, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Brian Lewerke (14) led the offense against the Maryland Terrapins at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback: B+

Michigan State’s 2015 quarterback commit, Brian Lewerke, is projected to be the Spartans’ starter in 2017. The 2016 pledge, Messiah deWeaver, is right behind him and many expect him to push Lewerke for that starting job.

Must Read: MSU Football: Report card for 2016 season

The 2017 signee, Rocky Lombardi, will likely sit back as a redshirt and take over when both of those guys are done duking it out in a couple of years. There’s plenty of depth under center and that’s a great thing for the Spartans. Lombardi was the perfect addition to the class and he has leader written all over him.

Rocky Lombardi: How many schools can say that their quarterback commit is one of the best high school wrestlers in his state. Rocky Lombardi is just that athletic and he has a rocket for an arm. Besides having the coolest name in the class, Lombardi comes in with leadership skills and the ability to pass efficiently as well as run. Listed as a dual-threat three-star quarterback on 247Sports, Lombardi isn’t far from being a four-star prospect. He has the tool necessary to be a successful player in the Mark Dantonio system, but how long will he have to wait?

The Spartans have plenty of options at quarterback in the 2018 class, but in my opinion, it starts with Dearborn Divine Child gunslinger Theo Day. It’s very rare for a Michigan State class to contain more than one quarterback, though, and Lombardi was a nice take.