Michigan State Recruiting: Which 2017 football recruits can help out right away?

By foxsports
Published

Nov 26, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio with his team prior to the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Michigan State 45-12. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O

Michigan State recruiting could have some instant contributors in its 2017 football class — who are they?

It’s been a rough year for Michigan State football, but there might be some help coming on the horizon. Michigan State recruiting has been quiet this season and it’s likely because the Spartans suffered through a 3-9 campaign which could have scared off some recruits.

However, there might be some incoming freshmen who’ll help out right away. The class is underrated, ranked 27th nationally by 247Sports, but it’s also not close to being complete. There are 16 commits with room for probably 5-7 more.

No one saw Michigan State taking this big of a step back in 2016, but every program goes through rebuilding seasons. You can bet Mark Dantonio and his young, talented team won’t let a 3-9 season happen again and I’d be shocked if the Spartans missed a bowl game again for as long as he’s head coach.

Which 2017 football recruits have the talent, potential and eventual opportunity to help out right away? These five guys could be instant contributors next season.

Kevin Jarvis

OG, Park Ridge (Ill.)

The offensive line is a big area of concern for the Spartans, but the youth is definitely there, along with talent. Guys like Thiyo Lukusa, Tyler Higby and Cole Chewins stepped up this year as first-year performers and they each played well.

Still, there could be an open spot or two on the offensive line and that could make way for Kevin Jarvis to step in and start as a true freshman. It’s highly unlikely, but after a season like the Spartans had in 2016 where nearly a dozen freshmen saw their redshirts burned, don’t count Jarvis out of playing contention.

Jarvis stands 6-foot-5 and weighs about 340 pounds, a good size for an offensive guard and he has the ability to hold his own. He could step into a starting role, or at least crack the rotation, instantly next season.

Imagine an offensive line with Chewins and Lukusa at the tackles, Jarvis and Higby at the guards and Brian Allen at center. That’s an impressive group.

Sep 2, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive end Demetrius Cooper (98) gestures to the sideline during the second half against the Furman Paladins at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Deron Irving-Bey

DE, Flint (Mich.)

A local kid who has yet to commit yet ranks among the best in the state of Michigan happens to be Deron Irving-Bey of Flint. Michigan State was one of the first schools to express interest in the young four-star, and you can bet he remembers that.

    Irving-Bey has spoken highly of Michigan State throughout his recruitment and the Spartans are considered the school to beat. Michigan is also up there and it might come down to the big programs in the state for his potential commitment destination.

    Not only is he a main target left on the board for the Spartans, but he’s also a kid who could step in and contribute from day one. Getting contributions from guys like Auston Robertson, Josh King and Mike Panasiuk has to show a kid like Irving-Bey that there’s opportunity for him to contribute instantly in East Lansing.

    There’s a good chance he could join the mix of defensive linemen who will play early next season as there are a number of guys graduating and Malik McDowell is likely leaving.

    A 6-foot-5, 282-pound athletic defensive end that has been named an Army All-American? Yes, please.

    Nov 26, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver R.J. Shelton (12) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Michigan State 45-12. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O

    Hunter Rison

    WR, Ann Arbor (Mich.)

    This one would not surprise me at all. Not only does Hunter Rison have all the tools to make him a solid collegiate wide out, potentially filling the void in the slot left behind by R.J. Shelton, but he’s confident. In fact, there was a quote a few months ago about him claiming to have made Jaylen Kelly-Powell and Levert Hill look foolish in camps.

    Whether that’s actually true or not remains to be seen, but every college coach would love to have a kid that confident in the lineup. He’s one of the quickest, shiftiest receivers in the 2017 class and he has the potential to be even better than Shelton was in the slot.

    Imagine a receiving corps with Cam Chambers, potentially Justin Layne, Donnie Corley, Trishton Jackson and Rison. There’s a good chance he could work his way into a prominent role as a slot receiver and contribute from day one. Actually, I’d be more surprised if he didn’t play instantly.

    The son of former Spartan great Andre Rison has some big shoes to fill, but his 5-foot-11, 197-pound frame is eerily similar to that of Shelton’s and he may just be more athletic.

    Rison will have the opportunity to push for playing time early on and he could surprise some people with big-play ability.

    Nov 26, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Michigan State Spartans tight end Josiah Price (82) attempts a catch during the third quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Michigan State 45-12. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O

    Matt Dotson

    TE, Cincinnati (Ohio)

    Josiah Price and Jamal Lyles are graduating this year, leaving a void at the tight end position for a young guy like Matt Dotson to fill. Sure, the Spartans have Noah Davis from the 2016 class and Matt Sokol from 2014, but Matt Dotson could be the most athletic of the bunch.

    I could see a two-tight end set with Dotson and either Davis or Sokol used next season while fellow 2017 pledge Jack Camper redshirts. The loss of Price and Lyles will be tough to make up for, but Michigan State does have one of the top tight ends in the 2017 class coming to East Lansing in the fall.

    Dotson is currently the Spartans’ second-highest ranked recruit in the 2017 class behind Jarvis and he has great size and even better athleticism for the position. If you watch his film, he almost looks like a receiver with the way he runs his routes and makes guys miss in the open field. He has impressive speed for a tight end.

    Michigan State needs to utilize tight ends more next season and with a young quarterback likely to start, he will need to have a sure-handed player at the position. Look no further than Dotson who is the ninth-best tight end in the class and could fill in right away — he just needs to adjust to the strength of the collegiate level, blocking-wise.

    Sep 24, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Darian Hicks (2) looks to the sidelines during the first quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

    Ambry Thomas

    CB, Detroit (Mich.)

    The top uncommitted player on the Spartans’ big board has to be four-star cornerback Ambry Thomas from Detroit King. He has yet to commit and, according to Rico Beard, is likely to make his decision within the next couple of weeks.

    Must Read: MSU Football: Top 50 players in school history

    Coming off a dominant performance against 2017 MSU commit Cody White in the state championship game, Thomas lived up to the billing. Everyone dubbed him a lockdown cornerback and he was just that.

    Having Thomas commit would be the biggest win for Mark Dantonio in quite some time as he’d have to wrestle the elite corner away from Michigan. Right now, it seems to be down to the Wolverines and Spartans with Michigan having the slight edge. However, he’s good friends with Donnie Corley, so that could work in the Spartans’ favor.

    Thomas even said a few weeks ago after his visit to Michigan State that he saw an opportunity to play right away for the Spartans. There’s a good chance he could start at cornerback as a true freshman, or at least make the rotation.

    A secondary with Justin Layne, Ambry Thomas, Vayante Copeland, Khari Willis and Montae Nicholson starting would be tough for opposing quarterbacks to burn. That’s as athletic as it gets — especially if you throw in Corley, Tyson Smith, Grayson Miller, Demetric Vance, Kenney Lyke andJosh Butler.

    More from Spartan Avenue

      This article originally appeared on