Spartan Nation

Two 2024 recruiting targets list Michigan State in 'Top 6'

The Spartans look to build momentum on the recruiting trail...

Matthew Lounsberry

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Michigan State is off to a much slower start in recruiting for the 2024 class than in previous cycles, but the Spartans have put themselves in contention for two quality targets from the West Coast.

Four-star Chatsworth (Calif.) Sierra Canyon wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer has narrowed his list down to a 'Top 6' and Michigan State was included alongside Oklahoma, UCLA, Washington, California and Stanford.

A 6-foot-2, 180-pound prospect, Gilmer is ranked No. 290 overall and No. 43 wide receiver prospect in the 2024 class, according to 247Sports' composite rankings. He's also the No. 25 player from the talent-rich state of California.

Safeties coach and area recruiter Harlon Barnett is leading Michigan State's charge in the battle for Gilmer. The Spartans offered the California native a scholarship back on Jan. 23 of this year.

Gilmer has garnered 17 scholarship offers, with Notre Dame, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Boston College and others vying for his commitment in addition to his 'Top 6'.

Michigan State is also in good standing with three-star Federal Way (Wash.) athlete Rahshawn Clark, who listed the Spartans alongside Washington, California, Oregon State, Oregon and Louisville.

At 6-feet and 180 pounds, Clark can play on either side of the ball in college. He is ranked No. 541 overall, the No. 54 athlete and No. 8 player from the state of Washington in the 2024 class.

Barnett is the lead recruiter for the Spartans in Clark's recruitment as well. Michigan State offered the Washington native almost a year ago on April 26, 2022. He has received 14 FBS scholarship offers, with Utah, Washington State, Mississippi State, Colorado, Arizona and others alongside his 'Top 6'.

247Sports' national recruiting editor Brandon Huffman had this to say about Clark:

Clark is one of the top two-way prospects in the state regardless of class. He has Power 5 offers for both cornerback and for receiver. He's rated as an athlete and while we think he's got more upside on defense, his heart is on offense. Whichever side of the ball he ends up playing, he will impact the game. He's also a good returner, a player who can use his speed and vision to break off long returns. As a receiver, he's a natural pass catcher and probably projects best inside as a slot but could split out wide too depending on the offense. Defensively, he has some of the best ball skills of any defender in the class and plays with a nice, physical edge to him, not afraid to initiate contact at all.

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker has taken the Spartans' recruiting ambitions to new heights during his first four springs in East Lansing, and the program has seen mostly positive results.

Tucker's first recruiting class, which was compiled mostly via Zoom calls and virtual visits due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ranked just No. 45 in the country. However, Michigan State signed the No. 23 recruiting class in each of the next two seasons, marking the first time the Spartans had signed back-to-back Top 25 classes since 2016 and 2015 ā€” the height of the Mark Dantonio era.

As mentioned above, MSU is off to a slower start in the 2024 cycle, with only four commitments currently in the class. Four-star Westland Hialeah (Fla.) cornerbackĀ Jamari HowardĀ (Ranked No. 101 nationally) and four-starĀ Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Riverdale CBĀ Jaylen ThompsonĀ (No. 382) headline the class, while three-star Mt. Pleasant (Mich.) interior offensive lineman Andrew Dennis (No. 692) and three-star Baltimore (Mary.) St. Frances Academy IOL Logan Bennett (No. 1052) are also in the fold.

Michigan State's 2024 recruiting class currently ranks No. 38 in the country and No. 9 in the Big Ten Conference.

Michigan State Verbal Commitments, Class of 2024

  • Four-star CB Jamari Howard; Westland Hialeah High School, Hialeah, Fla.; No. 101 nationally, No. 12 Cornerback, No. 18 in state of Florida
  • Four-star CB Jaylen Thompson; Riverdale High School; Murfreesboro, Tenn.; No. 382 nationally, No. 32 Cornerback, No. 9 in state of Tennessee
  • Three-star IOL Andrew Dennis; Mt. Pleasant High School; Mount Pleasant, Mich.; No. 692 nationally, No. 43 Interior Offensive Lineman, No. 12 in state of Michigan
  • Three-star IOL Logan Bennett; St. Frances Academy; Baltimore, Mary.; No. 1052 nationally, No. 77 Interior Offensive Lineman, No. 31 in state of Maryland

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Matthew Lounsberry
MATTHEW LOUNSBERRY

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