Recruiting Notes

Scout just recently updated their recruiting rankings for the class of 2012 and it looks like a few of the Spartans' recruits fared rather well.  Perhaps the biggest news is that Jamal Lyles received a fourth star and was entered into Scout's list of top 300 players.  He is now ranked the 284th best player in the country, and here are some nice things Scout had to say about him:

"Lyles, a Michigan State commitment, had a great senior season despite his team not having the most success. He’s a great athlete that can come forward and blitz, or drop into coverage. We even believe that, should he try offense in college, he could be great there too. He’s a rare athlete, and received ringing endorsements from his personal trainers about his work ethic and dedication to the sport. We love his length, athleticism and versatility and feel he can project to a couple of the Spartan linebacker positions."

Se'Von Pittman and Aaron Burbridge also moved up quite a bit.  Pittman went from #74 to #55, while Burbridge moved up from #111 to #60.  How great is that?

So with 3 of the top 300 players in the country, the Spartans are already looking like they will have a great class, but don't forget that they still have a shot at some other excellent recruits, who also moved up quite a bit in Scout's rankings.  They still have a shot at Ohio defensive end, Adolphus Washington, who is now ranked as the top player in the Midwest -- thanks in large part to the 33 sacks he recorded this season.  He was supposed to make his choice of schools approximately 10 days ago, but apparently, he will be now be making his decision on November 22nd.  Ohio State is likely his destination, but you never know.  Until he announces his decision to go elsewhere, I have the right to fantasize about Washington and Pittman terrorizing B1G quarterbacks -- perhaps with a little help from an enthusiastic 5'8" nose tackle named Leonidas (hey, it could happen!).

The Spartans are also in it for Ohio wide receiver, Monty Madaris, who also made a considerable move up the rankings.  He went from #255 to #158.  Like with Washington, until Madaris commits elsewhere, I have the right to fantasize about him and Burbridge terrorizing B1G secondaries -- perhaps with a little help from a 5'8" tight end (I don't quite have the speed for slot receiver).  Boy, Madaris and Burbridge would completely solve the problem the Spartans might have at wide receiver next year (for more on the Spartans' possible troubles at wide receiver next year, click here).

At any rate, the Spartans already have a tremendous class.  And one or two more players like Madaris and Washington would turn this class into MSU's best in decades.