Michigan State Spartan Football Mid-July Recruiting Update
While things have slowed down considerably for Michigan State on the recruiting trail following the first few months after Mel Tucker's arrival, the Spartans have remained active, extending 18 offers since the start of June and landed a commitment from IMG Academy 2021 tight end Jake Renda.
Renda's commitment likely signals that the Spartans are finished at the tight end position for the 2021 class as he joins Kameron Allen, who committed on April 29.
The Spartans were particularly active extending offers down south, offering five players from the state of Florida (six if you include Renda, who is a New Jersey native) and offered two players from Tennessee and Arkansas.
Of the 18 offers extended, seven offers went out to 2022 recruits, while six went out to recruits in the 2021 class and five more to 2023 recruits.
Commits:
Trenton (NJ) IMG Academy 2021 TE Jake Renda
After receiving an offer from the Spartans on June 23, Renda quickly jumped on the opportunity to play in East Lansing and committed to the Spartans on July 4. A native of Trenton, NJ, Renda played quarterback for the first three years of his high school career but has since transferred to IMG Academy in Florida where he will play tight end for one of the country's perennial powerhouses in the prep ranks. Renda is listed at 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, and is an intriguing prospect at the tight end position because of his size and athleticism and the fact he looks like a natural at the position despite still learning the ins and outs of being a tight end. Renda also held offers from Arizona, Boston College, North Carolina State, and others.
Offers:
Owings Mills (MD) McDonogh 2023 OG Antonio Tripp Jr.
A 6-foot-4, 285-pound offensive guard with a handful of Big Ten offers so far, Tripp was offered by the Spartans back on June 4. A significant, physical presence on the interior offensive line, Tripp has the athleticism to play inside but could grow into being a tackle in the next few years. Michigan, Penn State, Maryland, South Carolina, and Texas A&M have also offered.
Homestead (FL) 2022 DE Dante Anderson
Offered by Michigan State on June 11, Anderson is one of the top prospects in the state of Florida for the 2022 class and is rated a 4-star recruit by 247Sports. Listed at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, Anderson also holds offers from Arizona State, Arkansas, Baylor, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Mississippi State, North Carolina, Penn State, West Virginia, and others.
Alexandria (LA) 2021 TE Shield Taylor
Listed at 6-foot-4, 235 pounds, Taylor is an intriguing tight end prospect with more than 20 offers and was offered by the Spartans on June 12. Taylor also holds offers from Arkansas, Boise State, Duke, Georgia Tech, Memphis, Northwestern, Stanford, UCLA, Washington, and more.
Nashville (TN) Pearl-Cohn 2021 DE Alex Okelo
Okelo saw his recruitment took off earlier this calendar year when he fielded several Power 5 offers in January and February and recently picked up an offer from the Spartans on June 12. A 6-foot-5, 217-pound defensive end, Okelo also holds offers from Florida State, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Louisville.
Orlando (FL) Timber Creek 2023 OT T.J. Shanahan
A big, athletic offensive tackle already holds more than 20 offers before the start of his sophomore season, Shanahan was offered by the Spartans back on June 12. Shanahan is listed at 6-foot-5, 300 pounds, and offers from Arizona State, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Nebraska, Oregon, South Carolina, USC, and several other Division 1 programs.
Minneapolis (MN) North Senior 2021 DE Davon Townley
A fast-rising defensive end rated as a 4-star by 247Sports, Townley was offered by Michigan State on June 14, and the Spartans have reportedly made a big impression on the 6-foot-6, 220-pound standout. Townley also holds offers from Iowa State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Penn State, Kentucky, Oregon, and others.
Kernersville (NC) East Forsyth 2021 DE Zyun Reeves
A 6-foot-7, 245-pound defensive end with high upside, Reeves already has a substantial list of offers and added Michigan State to that list back in the middle of June. Reeves also holds offers from Duke, Illinois, Florida State, Kansas State, North Carolina State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and others.
Jacksonville (FL) Bartram Trail 2023 CB Sharif Denson
An impressive 2023 defensive back that already holds several notable offers, Denson was offered by Michigan State back on June 16. Denson, who is listed at 5-foot-10, 160 pounds, has also been offered by Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Wisconsin and more.
Maumelle (AR) 2022 OT Andrew Chamblee
Regarded as one of the top players in the state of Arkansas, Chamblee is a 6-foot-6, 284-pound offensive tackle that has shown the ability to be a reliable blocker in the run game and pass protection. Michigan State offered on June 19, joining a list of Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi State, Missouri, Oklahoma State, TCU, Tennessee, and Virginia Tech.
Orlando (FL) Dr. Phillips 2023 OT Payton Kirkland
A physically imposing presence along the offensive line, Kirkland already stands at 6-foot-7, 310 pounds despite just finishing his freshman year of high school. It is a very high upside prospect because he combines size and athleticism. The Spartans offered Kirkland on June 23, joining an already impressive list of offers that includes Arizona State, Arkansas, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Indiana, LSU, Maryland, Nebraska, Ole Miss, and Penn State.
DeWitt (AR) 2022 TE Dax Courtney
A physically gifted tight end can make plays in open space or just by using his elite size (6-foot-6, 210 pounds) against defenders, Courtney was offered by Michigan State on June 23. Courtney also holds offers from Arkansas, Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State, Memphis, Missouri, TCU, Vanderbilt.
Jacksonville (FL) Trinity Christian Academy 2023 ATH Treyaun Webb
Committed to Georgia back on November 12, 2019, Webb was an early commit to the Bulldogs with three years of high school remaining, but picked up an offer from Michigan State at the end of June. Webb holds more than 30 offers, including offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Kentucky, LSU, Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.
Scottsdale (AZ) Chaparral 2022 DE Anthony Lucas
Offered by Michigan State on July 1, Lucas is a 6-foot-5, 279-pound defensive end capable of defending the run and rushing the passer and closing in on 20 offers. Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, Florida State, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Texas, USC, and Washington are among schools that have offered.
Highland Home (AL) 2023 DE Keldric Faulk
A 6-foot-5, 230-pound defensive end who has already emerged as one of the best players in the 2023 class, Faulk was offered by Michigan State on July 2 as the Spartans joined an already impressive list of offers. Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Indiana, Kentucky, LSU, Michigan, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia are among schools that have already offered.
Hamburg (NY) St. Francis 2022 DE Jimmy Scott
A physical and athletic 6-foot-3, 250-pound defensive end, Scott has seen an uptick in his recruitment in recent months and added an offer from the Spartans on Wednesday. Arizona State, Arkansas, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Ole Miss, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and others have offered.
Memphis (TN) Whitehaven 2022 OT Aliou Bah
On Friday, offered by Michigan State, Bah is a 6-foot-6, 325-pound offensive tackle that has proven to be an effective blocker in the run game or pass protection. Arkansas, Florida State, Indiana, Kansas, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, and West Virginia are among schools that have offered Bah.
Dayton (OH) Wayne 2022 OT Aamil Wagner
Listed at 6-foot-6, 240 pounds, Wagner is a big, physical offensive lineman with plenty of upside and picked up an offer from the Spartans on Friday. Wagner also holds offers from Kentucky, Cincinnati, Nebraska, Oregon, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and Toledo and will likely receive several more soon.
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