Recruiting: Michigan State football honing in on RBs for 2018 class

Michigan State is emerging as a potential destination for multiple top running back prospects for the class of 2018. With Gerald Holmes set to graduate after this season and LJ Scott likely to hit the NFL, the position is a top priority for coach Mark Dantonio and his staff. The staff has already had a few prospects on campus and will have more between now and the start of the season.

Harold Joiner, Mountain Brook (Ala.) 

The Spartans are looking all over the nation for the next feature back and the 6-foot-3, 213-pounder has moved to the forefront. Fellow suitors LSU and Georgia have recently taken other running backs and that has opened the door for MSU. An unofficial visit next month is in the plans. Both Alabama and Auburn have offered him as well so it will not be easy to get him out of the Heart of Dixie. Rivals.com and 247Sports composite ranks Joiner and four-star recruit and the No. 18 running back in the nation. 

Nolan Edmonds, Alpharetta (Ga.)

The Georgia product was at one point committed to Minnesota, but he opened his recruitment shortly after taking a visit to East Lansing. With over 20 scholarship offers, Edmonds has an impressive list of suitors. Other schools that are actively recruiting him include Pittsburgh, Louisville, Illinois and Purdue. Rivals.com and 247Sports composite ranks the 5-11, 205-pounder a three-star prospect. Rivals rates him the No. 32 running back for the class 2018. 

Ryan Montgomery, Franklin (Ohio)

The state of Ohio has produced two All-America running backs during the Mark Dantonio era in Javon Ringer and Le'Veon Bell. Montgomery recently visited East Lansing and the Spartans are viewed as one of his top choices along with Kentucky, Northwestern and Cincinnati. At 5-11, 195, he's viewed as an all-purpose back due to his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Rivals and 247Sports Composite ranks him as a three-star recruit. 

All three of the above prospects have indicated they are thinking of making their college choice this summer so they can focus on their senior year.

At least one will likely sign with MSU next February. The opportunity for early playing time coupled with the Spartans' reputation for putting running backs into the NFL is a strong selling point.

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Matt Dorsey is a recruiting analyst for SpartanMag.com and Rivals.com.

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