5 Biggest Michigan State Football Targets Visiting This Weekend
While often overlooked, June is one of the biggest months of the year for college football. Schools evaluate the future of their program as they host high school recruits for camps and official visits.
Michigan State has hosted a long list of recruits over the past three weeks, with prospect coming from all over the country to check out campus and the surrounding East Lansing area. And now, the Spartans upcoming weekend is their biggest one yet.
In a handful of heated recruiting battles, here are the five most important visitors heading to MSU this weekend:
Five-Star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy Defensive Tackle David Stone
Michigan State has been high on Stone for over a year now. His interest was drawn to MSU by former Pass Rush Specialist Brandon T. Jordan, as well as training in the offseason with incoming freshman edge rusher and fellow Oklahoma native Bai Jobe.
Stone waited until last week to schedule his official visit with the Spartans, but it always felt imminent. Stone has taken visits to East Lansing multiple times already, and has Michigan State near the top of his list. The No. 5 player in the country by 247Sports composite could be the Spartans first five-star recruit since Malik McDowell in 2014.
Fired up about this one let’s go babyyy!!!Last OV💚🪓
— David “Stoney” Stone Jr. (@iamdavidstonejr) June 18, 2023
Michigan State’s staff, including new D-line coach Diron Reynolds, feel good about the position they’re in for Stone. It is apparent Oklahoma is the school to beat for the 6-foot-4, 270-pounder, while Oregon and Miami are further behind. Stone has said publicly that he is going to take his time making his decision, which means this recruitment could potentially continue into the season this fall.
Four-Star River Rouge (Mich.) Wide Receiver Nick Marsh
While there are higher-rated recruits taking official visits this weekend, Marsh may be the most important. Once an MSU commit, Marsh decommitted from the Spartans in March. Not only does Michigan State need a receiver for this class, they’re trying to keep one of the top in-state talents home.
Marsh is currently projected to choose Penn State, with his commitment date already set for July 7. The staff has one last chance to pitch staying home with Marsh before he makes a decision. Being the last school he visits in June may help, along with the relationship Marsh has established with wide receivers coach Courtney Hawkins.
If the Spartans are going to have a Top 25 recruiting class for the 2024 cycle, Marsh is a recruiting battle they need to win.
A Trio Of Offensive Linemen
Three-star Mount Pleasant (Mich.) offensive lineman and current MSU commit AJ Dennis has traveled to East Lansing every weekend this month to help recruit. This weekend there are three more offensive linemen on campus for him to help sway towards the Spartans.
The biggest target is Santa Ana (Cali.) Mater Dei offensive lineman DeAndre Carter. Rated the No. 88 player in the country by 247Sports composite, and the No. 2 rated interior lineman, Carter has taken other visits to Auburn, USC, and Texas. He has already taken unofficial visits to East Lansing, but this official visit could help Michigan State stay in a high position in this recruitment.
The other two visiting O-line targets are Cincinnati (Ohio) Hills Academy brothers Mercer and Charlton Luniewski. Both three-star recruits, and the twins are likely to be a packaged deal. Tucker and staff are trying to rebuild the pipeline to Ohio, and these two would definitely help.
Offensive line coach Chris Kapalovic has a big weekend ahead. With one offensive tackle already off the board for the Spartans in Mukwonago (Wisc.) four-star tackle Nathan Roy — who committed to Minnesota last week — this weekend will be important to gain ground with the recruits still available.
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