Former MSU coach Mel Tucker and staff neglected to add DT's and LB's from the HS ranks. Instead, Tucker opted to rely on the portal, often adding good-sized players, but with limited upside and only bridging a year or two. They also had a high miss rate at those positions.
Coach Smith and staff couldn't be more opposite from early indications. The 2025 class is a testament to that. On Thursday, July 27th, MSU won the commitment of DT Derrick Simmons. Simmon's in another in-state addition, with great size at 6-3 /270. He's a 3-star recruit and #9 player in the state of Michigan. I'm slightly exaggerating when I say Mel brought it one HS DT in 4 years. He brought in two: Derrick Harmon and Alex Van Summeran.
In the 2023 class, Smith added Mikshaun Beeler at DT. So, Smith added two DT's via HS in two years, and Tucker added two in four years.
Smith& Co. have also renewed the emphasis on in-state recruiting. MSU now has the 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, and 25th-ranked players in Michigan. They are also engaged with Bryson Williams and Antonio Johnson of Orchard Lake St. Mary's, Michigan's 18th and 21st-ranked players. I wouldn't be shocked if 1-2 more in-state players get looks from MSU.
Love to see the continued emphasis on HS recruiting in the trenches AND focus on in-state kids.
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