Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio smiles during a news conference Dec. 30, 2015, in Arlington, Texas.
Michigan State will host a strong contingent of Ohio players on campus this week, including several elite Class of 2017 prospects.
Coach Mark Dantonio and the Spartans staff already have 16 recruits committed for 2017.
DL James Hudson of Toledo Central Catholic
The 6-foot-5, 271-pound Hudson is rated a 4-star recruit and the No. 8 strong-side defensive end recruit in the nation by Rivals.com. Hudson has offers from Alabama, Tennessee, Michigan and Nebraska. Hudson made an early commitment to Kentucky, but has since re-opened his recruitment. He has visited Michigan State several times and has developed a good rapport with MSU coaches.
WR Jaylen Harris of Cleveland Heights
The 6-foot-5, 205-pound Harris is viewed as the top wide receiver in the state of Ohio for 2017. He is also a Rivals.com 4-star recruit and the No. 184 prospect in the nation. Harris has an extensive list of offers, but this looks like it will comes down to the Spartans and Ohio State. Harris is also viewed as a legitimate college basketball prospect, but has recognized that his highest potential is in football.
CB Josiah Scott of Fairfield
Scott was offered a few weeks ago by the Spartans and this will be his first time on campus since receiving his scholarship. He listed Michigan State as one of his top choices along with Iowa, West Virginia and Pittsburgh. Scott has developed a very good rapport with defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett over the past few months. Scott will announce his college choice at 5 p.m. Sunday.
ATH Lynn Bowden of Warren Harding
The 6-foot-0, 180-pound Bowden is a dynamic athlete that projects at multiple positions in college. Rivals.com ranks him a 4-star recruit and the No. 26 athlete in the nation. Bowden was at one point committed to Indiana, but he re-opened his recruitment as his list of offers expanded this spring. The Spartans have not offered yet but, if they do, they will likely vault to the top of his list.
Dantonio and his staff recruit Ohio as well as any out-of-state school in the nation. MSU’s coaches know that even though the Buckeyes are tough to beat for top Ohio players, there is just too much talent in the state for OSU to get them all.
Matt Dorsey is a recruiting analyst for SpartanMag.com and Rivals.com.