Top prospect in Illinois commits to Michigan State
Mark Dantonio has made a habit of pulling productive prospects out of Michigan and Ohio that have helped Michigan State turn into a perennial Big Ten contender.
Now the head coach is doing something for the Spartans that has made Michigan and Ohio State national contenders historically: Getting coveted prospects from other states.
Josh King, a four-star defensive end from Hinsdale (Ill.) South, verbally committed to Michigan State on Friday over offers from a bevy of top schools. He listed Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State and USC (along with MSU) as his leaders in early May.
Yesss officially committed To MSU!!!! Let's Go Mann! 2016 Dream Team??? #GoGreen ?? pic.twitter.com/CsZdfbtuHB
— MagicMan (@JoshuaKing_12) June 5, 2015
The 6-foot-6, 233-pound King is the 12th-rated end in the country and the second player from Illinois to commit to Michigan State for 2016, joining four-star safety Kenney Lyke of Palatine Fremd High School.
King is the No. 1-ranked player in Illinois while Lyke is No. 8.
Dantonio's 14-member recruiting class already contained two four-star recruits in offensive lineman Thiyo Lukusa and wide receiver Cameron Chambers.
The coach can't talk about recruits until they sign, but he seemed to drop a pretty big a hint on Twitter that he was happy with the day's news.
Excited There is some MAGIC coming to East Lansing and the Spartans!! #V4MSU #Hornets
— Mark Dantonio (@DantonioMark) June 5, 2015
As for why King chose the Spartans? He explained to Scout.com reporter Beth Long it was a matter of connection with the rest of what is shaping up to be a top-10 class.
When I asked @JoshuaKing_12 what tipped him to #MSU he said "the guys going with me in my class." Called the class the "2016 Dream Team"
— Beth Long (@Beth_Long) June 5, 2015