Trieu: MSU waits for big-timers' decisions in home stretch
Michigan State is headed down the home stretch of a 2016 recruiting class that is likely to be the highest-ranked group the Spartans have ever had.
It is a group that has also undergone changes in the past month, and as always leading up to Signing Day, the possibility for surprises and new additions remain. Here is a look at where everything stands leading into January's furious recruiting season.
Donnie Corley: Corley remains one of Michigan State's top targets and priorities. He took an official to Ohio State recently and the Buckeyes made an impact to the point where this is no longer considered the slam dunk it once was for the Spartans. Still, they have a long relationship with him and are still considered the team to beat by many close to his recruitment. An announcement was planned for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, but it remains uncertain as to whether or not he will enroll early. If MSU lands Corley, chances improve with teammate Lavert Hill, a highly-rated cornerback who is currently learning toward Michigan and considering USC, UCLA, Tennessee, Miami (Fla.) and others.
Defensive line: MSU recently extended an offer to Detroit East English Village Prep's Cedrick Lattimore, an Iowa commit, and Penn State commit Karamo Dioubate may be taking a visit in January, making it clear that the Spartans are looking to add another defensive lineman to the class. Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy's Prince Sammons also remains a possibility, although he may fit as an offensive lineman.
Trieu: Michigan adds to stellar class, isn�t done yet
J.J. Givens: The Mechanicsville (Va.) Altee safety recently decommitted from South Carolina and put Michigan State in his top eight. He told Scout that Michigan State has been in constant communication (the Spartans offered last winter) since his decommitment and they are in line for a potential official visit. Clemson, Maryland and others are also recruiting him. He plans a Signing Day decision.
Tony Poljan: Michigan State recently offered the Lansing Catholic quarterback as a tight end. Tight end is not specifically a priority down the stretch, but Poljan has too much size and athleticism to pass up being that close to campus. That said, he may pass up offers from schools like MSU, Nebraska and more in order to have the opportunity to play quarterback at a school like Central Michigan.
Offensive tackle: JUCO five-star Garret Bolles is another major target for Michigan State and he had a good visit to East Lansing, but has options across the country. The same goes for Lawrenceville (Ga.) Archer's four-star prospect E.J. Price. Sammons is a possibility in this spot and a recruit like Detroit Renaissance's Alaric Jackson, who was offered last summer, could re-surface as a top priority for the Spartans depending on what happens with the aforementioned prospects.
Aaron Hansford: Michigan State is one of his final choices and he has already taken an official visit to East Lansing. But the Spartans have tough competition coming from Oklahoma, Maryland, North Carolina, Oregon and Notre Dame for the Washington, D.C., linebacker.
Surprises: Kirk Cousins was a late take for the Spartans. Le'Veon Bell was a December offer. Last year's class included January additions Andrew Dowell, David Dowell and Cole Chewins when none of the three were known targets heading into the final month. It would not be a surprise to see new names come onto the radar in mid to late January again this year.
Spartans add long snapper
Troy Athens long snapper Bradley Robinson committed to Michigan State on Wednesday. A semifinalist for the Chris Rubio Long Snapping Award, Robinson will be a preferred walk-on initially for the Spartans.
"I have enrolled early and will start classes and football in January," he said. "I am a preferred walk-on and have to win the position in spring and then a scholarship will happen from there."
Robinson's older brother Andrew Robinson is the long snapper at Michigan.
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Allen Trieu began covering the state of Michigan for Scout.com in 2005 and began managing the entire Midwest in 2009. He has been featured on the Big Ten Network on its annual Signing Day Show. His Michigan and Michigan State recruiting columns appear weekly at detroitnews.com.