Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio talks to fans after his team received the East Division championship trophy after beating the Penn State Nittany Lions, 55-16, on Nov. 28.
Ohio has always been important to Michigan State when it comes to recruiting and the class of 2017 is no different. The Spartans already have three players committed from the Buckeye State and are actively recruiting several of the top players in Ohio. Here are five Ohio players the staff is solidly in the mix for.
Cincinnati Moeller TE Matthew Dotson
The 6-foot-5, 226-pound Dotson is rated the No. 9 tight end in the nation and the No. 13 player in Ohio for the class of 2017. He has offers from all over the nation, but is focused on Big Ten programs such as MSU, Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State. Dotson has been dominating the camp scene this spring showing exceptional speed and agility for a player his size. The Spartans see Dotson as a player who could come in and compete for immediate playing time after the graduation of Josiah Price and Jamal Lyles.
Cincinnati Colerain CB Amir Riep
Having a lockdown cornerback has been a staple for MSU under the direction and coaching of co-defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett. The 6-0, 180-pound Riep has emerged as a Plan A recruit for the Spartans and Barnett is serving as his primary recruiter. Rivals.com ranks Riep the No. 8 player in Ohio and the No. 218 in the nation overall. Though he has close to 40 BCS offers, this looks like a battle between Ohio State, MSU, Notre Dame and U-M.
Springfield WR Danny Davis
The 6-2, 185-pound Davis is a dynamic prospect known for his ability to make big plays. Rivals.com ranks Davis the No. 3 player in Ohio and the No. 105 player overall. MSU has been actively recruiting Davis since early on in the process and are viewed as one of his top choices along with Penn State. Davis has been in East Lansing several times and the Spartans are hoping to have him back on campus again this summer.
King Mills King OL Matt Sichterman
The 6-5, 275-pound Sichterman has seen his offer list explode this spring to over 25 in all. Rivals.com ranks him the No. 22 player in Ohio for the class of 2017, but look for him to jump up multiple spots this summer. MSU offered Sichterman a few weeks ago when he was on campus for the spring game. Sichterman is being thorough in his recruitment and this weekend he will be in Lincoln checking out Nebraska, which along with MSU, Northwestern and Tennessee are viewed as the teams to beat for his services.
Columbus DeSales DT Derrius Mullins
The 6-4, 326-pound Mullins is rated the No. 18 player in Ohio and the No. 22 prospect in the nation at his position. Mullins has not been offered a scholarship by the Spartans, but that could change in the near future. Mullins is expected to be back in East Lansing in June and it is very possible that is when a scholarship will be extended. Mullins recently attended the Rivals Camp Series in Columbus and was voted the MVP at his position.
Matt Dorsey is a recruiting analyst for SpartanMag.com and Rivals.com.
