- Linebacker - The success of guys like Greg Jones, Max Bullough, and Denicos Allen is probably already paying off. The Spartans are already getting 4-star guys like Jamal Lyles, Jon Reschke, and Shane Jones; and don't forget that 5-star recruit Lawrence Thomas was recruited to play linebacker, but he outgrew the position. They will likely be in on some more 4-stars in 2014 (they may already have one in Byron Bullough), but I wouldn't be surprised if they are also able to compete for another 5-star linebacker that year.
- Wide receiver - MSU already has a bit of reputation as a developer of wide receivers, having produced guys like Plaxico Burress, Charles Rogers, and more recently BJ Cunningham and Keshawn Martin. MSU also has a lot of talent at the position on the current roster, perhaps more than it has ever had. But 2014 could take MSU's receiver recruiting to a whole different level. They already have a verbal commitment from the top receiver in the state of Michigan, Drake Harris, and they have a chance to get the best receiver in Ohio, Thaddeus Snodgrass. If that happens, hold on to your hats, folks!
- Cornerback - Mark Dantonio is kind of genius when it comes to the secondary, particularly in terms of recruiting and developing cornerbacks. With guys like Johnny Adams and Darqueze Dennard set to have big years and with Adams looking like a possible first round NFL draft pick in 2013, MSU could develop a reputation as cornerback-U. I suspect that by the 2014 recruiting class MSU will be able to compete for some of the top cornerbacks in the country.
- Cornerback - Mark Dantonio is kind of genius when it comes to the secondary, particularly in terms of recruiting and developing cornerbacks. With guys like Johnny Adams and Darqueze Dennard set to have big years and with Adams looking like a possible first round NFL draft pick in 2013, MSU could develop a reputation as cornerback-U. I suspect that by the 2014 recruiting class MSU will be able to compete for some of the top cornerbacks in the country.
- Defensive tackle - Jerel Worthy's success at MSU and in the NFL draft (second round) has caught the attention of the country's top defensive tackle recruits. I don't think that will pay off this year, however. I do suspect, though, that it will pay off in the 2014 recruiting class, after Anthony Rashad White become the Spartans' second highly drafted defensive tackle (I suspect he'll go somewhere in the first three rounds).
- Running back - The success of guys like Javon Ringer, Edwin Baker, and LeVeon Bell is going to solidify MSU's status as a running back developer. MSU has not recruited any 4-star guys since 2009, when they recruited Baker and Caper, but if LeVeon Bell leaves early and gets drafted in the first 2 rounds of the NFL draft, don't be surprised if that pays off big for MSU in the 2014 class.
- Defensive end - MSU is a little late in developing a reputation as a developer of defensive ends. They were able to get 5-star William Golston, but don't forget that he was originally planning to play linebacker. If Golston goes in the first round of next year's NFL draft (which is a real possibility), don't be surprised if MSU is able to get some top notch defensive end recruits in 2014 - starting, hopefully, with Malik McDowell, who is regarded as the top player in Michigan.
- Quarterback - MSU does a great job of developing quarterbacks as evidenced by the string of guys they've put in the NFL: Drew Stanton, Brian Hoyer, and Kirk Cousins. Andrew Maxwell will hopefully continue that string and hopefully he'll end up being drafted even higher than Kirk Cousins. That could allow MSU to take its quarterback recruiting to another level. MSU is already able to get 4-star guys (like Maxwell), but perhaps with a little more success at the position they could compete for guys ranked in the top 10 nationally. If so, it probably won't happen until the class of 2015, after Maxwell graduates.
At the remaining positions the Spartans still need to do some work, but things still look promising:
- Safety - Trenton Robinson was recently drafted in the 6th round of the NFL draft, but otherwise, the Spartans have some work to do to build up their reputation as developers of safeties. The Spartans currently have some serious talent at the position (e.g., Isaiah Lewis and Demetrius Cox), but it's relatively young talent. It will probably take about 3 years to get this position up to the same level as some of the others.
- Offensive line - Under coach Dantonio, MSU has consistently improved their o-line talent every year. Unfortunately, they have a ways to go before they are considered an NFL o-line factory. It would help a lot if seniors Fou Fonoti and Chris McDonald have big years and get drafted in next year's NFL draft. I have high hopes for both, but neither is likely to go in the first 3 rounds. Nonetheless, if either of them just gets drafted, that will help. Otherwise, the Spartans probably need about 3 more years before they are able to consistently compete for top o-line recruits. Still, I expect the talent at o-line to keep getting better and better.
- Tight end - the Spartans have had solid tight ends recently, but Dion Sims could help get them to the next level. Sims has all the physical tools to get drafted somewhere in the first 3 rounds of the NFL draft, but he needs to stay healthy and he needs to step up his game. If Sims is successful, MSU could start to win some battles for top tight ends in about 2 years.
Upshot: I think that if MSU's recruiting and player development keep improving at the same rate they have over Mark Dantonio's tenure, there is good reason to believe that MSU could be like Alabama soon. They could churn out top-level NFL talent year after year, and recruit top classes year after year. They had 6 guys get drafted in the NFL draft this year (tied for most in the B1G with Iowa and Wisconsin), and I think they will have a similar number next year, if guys like William Golston and LeVeon Bell leave early. Next year, however, they could get more guys drafted in the first 3 rounds than ever before (guys like: Golston, Bell, Johnny Adams, and possibly Anthony Rashad White and Fou Fonoti). Slowly but surely, folks. Slowly but surely.
- Defensive end - MSU is a little late in developing a reputation as a developer of defensive ends. They were able to get 5-star William Golston, but don't forget that he was originally planning to play linebacker. If Golston goes in the first round of next year's NFL draft (which is a real possibility), don't be surprised if MSU is able to get some top notch defensive end recruits in 2014 - starting, hopefully, with Malik McDowell, who is regarded as the top player in Michigan.
- Quarterback - MSU does a great job of developing quarterbacks as evidenced by the string of guys they've put in the NFL: Drew Stanton, Brian Hoyer, and Kirk Cousins. Andrew Maxwell will hopefully continue that string and hopefully he'll end up being drafted even higher than Kirk Cousins. That could allow MSU to take its quarterback recruiting to another level. MSU is already able to get 4-star guys (like Maxwell), but perhaps with a little more success at the position they could compete for guys ranked in the top 10 nationally. If so, it probably won't happen until the class of 2015, after Maxwell graduates.
At the remaining positions the Spartans still need to do some work, but things still look promising:
- Safety - Trenton Robinson was recently drafted in the 6th round of the NFL draft, but otherwise, the Spartans have some work to do to build up their reputation as developers of safeties. The Spartans currently have some serious talent at the position (e.g., Isaiah Lewis and Demetrius Cox), but it's relatively young talent. It will probably take about 3 years to get this position up to the same level as some of the others.
- Offensive line - Under coach Dantonio, MSU has consistently improved their o-line talent every year. Unfortunately, they have a ways to go before they are considered an NFL o-line factory. It would help a lot if seniors Fou Fonoti and Chris McDonald have big years and get drafted in next year's NFL draft. I have high hopes for both, but neither is likely to go in the first 3 rounds. Nonetheless, if either of them just gets drafted, that will help. Otherwise, the Spartans probably need about 3 more years before they are able to consistently compete for top o-line recruits. Still, I expect the talent at o-line to keep getting better and better.
- Tight end - the Spartans have had solid tight ends recently, but Dion Sims could help get them to the next level. Sims has all the physical tools to get drafted somewhere in the first 3 rounds of the NFL draft, but he needs to stay healthy and he needs to step up his game. If Sims is successful, MSU could start to win some battles for top tight ends in about 2 years.
Upshot: I think that if MSU's recruiting and player development keep improving at the same rate they have over Mark Dantonio's tenure, there is good reason to believe that MSU could be like Alabama soon. They could churn out top-level NFL talent year after year, and recruit top classes year after year. They had 6 guys get drafted in the NFL draft this year (tied for most in the B1G with Iowa and Wisconsin), and I think they will have a similar number next year, if guys like William Golston and LeVeon Bell leave early. Next year, however, they could get more guys drafted in the first 3 rounds than ever before (guys like: Golston, Bell, Johnny Adams, and possibly Anthony Rashad White and Fou Fonoti). Slowly but surely, folks. Slowly but surely.
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