Defensive Recruiting Breakdown: 6/18

I’m looking to upgrade the content dramatically with more time available to me now. And when there is no content to blog about, a good bloggger makes something up. Actually, it’s stolen from BlackShoesDiaries. So the topic at-hand is a look at recruiting on the defensive side of the ball.

Defensive Line – Tackles

Projected Need: 1

Commitments: None

The defensive ’style’ of Pat Narduzzi and Ted Gill calls for leaner, quicker players on the defensive line, and at tackle in particular. But perennial contenders like Southern Cal and Florida don’t make a living asking 260lbers to make a play up the middle on fourth down, or asking 320lbers to disect the option on the outside.

With a young cast including the likes of Blake Treadwell (270lbs), Kevin Pickleman (255lbs), and Dan France (275lbs), look for Michigan State to bring in the beef at nose tackle. Afterall, this size – or lack thereof – explains why the 2008 team found itself manhandling spread offenses while getting pulverized by the likes of Wisconsin and Iowa.

This is one of those positions where atleast one player needs to be brought in every year. The depth at this position has been dramatically improved since Mark Dantonio took over, but if there is one piece missing from the past two classes (2009, 2010) to give Michigan State the Rose Bowl-caliber defense we dream about, it’s a highly regarded 300-lb ready-made nose tackle.

Now, those types don’t exactly grow on trees. Nonetheless there are a few canidates emerging. 6-5/311 North Carolinian Darius Kilgo is the latest, picking up an offer this past week. 6-2/290 Illinois native Bruce Gaston favors Michigan State and Illinois. And right in our back yard, 6-3/310lb Detroit Southeastern product Jonathan Hankins is vying for an offer. Curiously, I might add, as he already claims offers from Oklahoma and Ohio State. Stay tuned…

Defensive Line – Ends

Projected Need: 2

Commitments: William Gholston

Perhaps Michigan State’s biggest need going into the recruiting season looks the most promising to-date. Keeping Gholston away from Ohio State and Southern Cal made waves nationally and he is a program changing talent. Still, defensive end is a position that the Spartans got little production from outside of Trevor Anderson, who is going into his senior season. A second end is a necessity for this class.

Luckily the defensive end fairy has put Mark Dantonio and staff in a great position for several top tier prospects. Adding Warren Mott product CJ Olaniyan opposite Gholston could create severe mismatch problems for even the meanest offensive lines in the Big Ten. Afterall, you can’t double-team both.

Let’s keep in perspective what we’re dealing with: high school juniors. Still, it’s hard not to get excited over that possibility. With highly sought after prospects like Jibreel Black and Darryl Baldwin also high on MSU, the staff might have to stretch their limits and sign three defensive ends.

Linebackers – Inside

Projected Need: 1

Commitments: Max Bullough

Max Bullough was the first middle linebacker to sign up for the 2010 recruiting class. And he’ll be the last. Per their commitment agreement, Michigan State will not sign another at this position. This evidenced recently by Austin Gray picking Iowa, with Michigan State only being able to give him a spot at fullback.

Linebackers – Outside

Projected Need: 1

Commitments: None

Michigan State brought in an all-star cast here last season, and this is perhaps the least pivitol position for the 2010 class. But there is always room for one more, as some may be looking at moves to defensive end or fullback.

Mark Dantonio has yet to tap the Glenville pipeline yet and a great way to start would be with Jayrone Elliott. Maryland linebacker Troy Gloster names a top five of Michigan State, Michigan, West Virginia, and Stanford.

Defensive Backs – Cornerbacks

Projected Need: 2

Commitments: Mylan Hicks

A big group departs with Ashton Henderson, Jeremy Ware, and Ross Weaver all graduating, making for a promising offer for prospects. While some reloading is in-order, bringing in 3 cornerbacks in one recruiting season is unhealthy for a recruiting cycle. Two appears to be the number. A steady, consistent in-flux of talent at cornerback is generally considered the way to go.

Mylan Hicks was perhaps the biggest name Mark Dantonio has brought in at cornerback thus far. William Gholston referenced recruiting ‘a certain cornerback’ on commitment day, the obvious guess being Dior Mathis. Mathis is waiting to see if the Michigan coaching staff can produce a turnaround this season. If not, and the Spartans cruise to another 8 or 9 win season, look for consideration. Mark Dantonio has said repeatedly he will only sign a player if he thinks he can win a Big Ten championship with that player. If Mathis goes elsewhere, look for the staff to be content with one cornerback.

Defensive Backs – Safeties

Projected Need: 2

Commitments: None

Quick fact for all you star gazers: Michigan State has signed a four star at every position except in the defensive backfield since the new staff came aboard. That’s not to say “star rankings” are the be-all-tell-all in the recruiting world; Trenton Robinson made a splash in the spring and Brynden Trawick chose the Spartans over a host of other canidates.

It’s just to say that the recruiting could to take a step up in athleticsm if this programs wants to compete for Big Ten titles. Some big bodies have been acquired, but speed is the name of the game in the nations best secondaries.  Recall what the speedy safeties at Florida and LSU did to the Buckeyes in the national title game, or Georgia’s speed in the Capital One Bowl.

As forementioned, Mark Dantonio has yet to tap the Glenville pipeline since his arrival at MSU. I discussed how pivitol being versatile is in the defensive tackle segment, and Latwan Anderson would add another dimension to the safety position: speed, speed, and more speed. Indianapolis product Isaiah Lewis, a Bob Sanders idolizer, brings more of the same and is more than a viable option.

June Status Report

The heralded 2009 recruiting class earned its kicks on the offensive side of the ball with big names like Edwin Baker, Caper, and David Barrent. It’s only June and the 2010 group already has a defensive feel. The two most critical positions going into the year were defensive end and safety, and Michigan State finds itself in a great position for top prospects at both spots.

So far, great. It’s very probable that the staffs top two priorities were the legacy, Max Bullough, and the freak, William Gholston; both are already in the fold. Closing on another top defensive end could make this defensive class as good as any in the Big Ten.