Recruiting: MSU hosting a crucial group of prospects this weekend
This weekend, Michigan State is hosting several of the top players on their board. With just a few of these prospects below, they will have addressed some key needs and could be back competing for championships in the near future.
DBNaytron Culpepper of Miami Gardens (Fla.) Carol City
The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder has been recruited by MSU for quite some time. The rivals.com three-star prospect has an extensive list of scholarships that includes MSU, Tennessee, Nebraska, Oregon, LSU and South Carolina. The fact that safety Montae Nicholson recently declared for the NFL draft cannot hurt the Spartans' chances with this South Florida standout. Culpepper has taken visits to South Carolina and Maryland and will visit South Florida next weekend.
DE Tyree Johnson of Washington, D.C., St. John's College
The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Johnson made an early commitment to Texas A&M but has decided to take some official visits. He has indicated that he is solid to Texas A&M. St. John's College is one of the top talent-producing schools in the region, and the MSU staff would love to ring the bell there. Johnson is rated a four-star recruit and the No. 22 defensive end in the nation by rivals.com.
LB Nicholas Smith of Orlando Dr. Phillips
The Spartans want to add an athletic outside linebacker to the class, and the 6-foot-3, 198-pound Smith would fit. Smith is verbally committed to N.C. State but is keeping the door cracked. Smith and fellow official visitor Robert Porcher IV both attend Dr. Phillips and have talked about attending the same college. The Spartans gladly would take the two Sunshine State standouts. Smith will visit Louisville and LSU in the coming weeks, as well.
DT Jabari Taylor of Akron (Ohio) Hoban
Taylor is a new name on the recruiting radar, but he has been terrorizing opponents for several years. He was named first-team All-Ohio for state champion Hoban. At 6-feet-1 and 260 pounds, his smallish size has kept his stock down, but the Spartans are taking a close look. It was not long ago that defensive tackle Aaron Donald (Pitt) was overlooked because of his similar measurables.
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Roswell (Ga.) DE Koby Cumberlander
The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Cumberlander had a great senior season for Roswell and his stock has taken off. In addition to the Spartans, he has also picked up a recent offer from Virginia Tech to join Iowa State and Kansas State. Cumberland has indicated that Michigan State is his "dream school" and the Spartans are viewed as the team to beat.
Main competition: Virginia Tech.
Baltimore Boys Latin School DE Victor Dimukeje
The 6-2, 245-pound Dimukeje is a powerfully built player who has a long list of scholarships from both BCS and Ivy League Schools. His ability to stuff the run as well as rush the passer makes him someone the MSU staff would like to get. MSU defensive line coach Ron Burton is Dimukeje's primary recruiter.
Main competition: Virginia Tech, Duke.
Marlton (N.J.) Cherokee RB John Lovett
The 6-1, 195-pound prospect has outstanding senior film. His game-breaking ability is something you can never have too much of. With the Spartans not taking a running back in class of 2016 and 2017 commitment Weston Bridges rehabbing his ACL injury, a player with Lovett's ability could come to East Lansing and contribute early.
Main competition: Iowa, Tennessee.
Iowa City West WR Oliver Martin
The 6-1, 190-pound Martin is coming off a strong senior season and an invite to the Army All-American Bowl. The Spartans see him as the perfect fit for not only their pro-style offense, but to join commitments Hunter Rison and Cody White. Martin and MSU quarterback commitment Rocky Lombardi are arguably the top two multi-sport athletes in the Midwest for the class of 2017. They are also good friends.
Main competition: Iowa, Notre Dame.
Orlando Dr. Phillips DE Robert Porcher
The name Porcher is very familiar to those who grew up following the Detroit Lions. MSU fans would love to see the younger Porcher terrorize Big Ten quarterbacks the same way his dad did years ago. The elder Porcher still lives in the Detroit area and the opportunity to play close to family could be a positive in his recruitment. The 6-3, 250-pound Porcher is a Rivals.com four-star recruit.
Main competition: Nebraska, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech.
Including committed players, Michigan State will have close to 20 prospects on campus this weekend. The Spartans have 17 verbal commitments for the class of 2017, and it would be surprising if they did not have several more by the end of the weekend.
Matt Dorsey is a recruiting analyst for SpartanMag.com and Rivals.com.