MSU football head coach Mark Dantonio called his fifth recruiting class maybe the best one he’s had since he became the head man.
The Spartans, who were dominated up front in a blowout loss to Alabama in the Capital One Bowl, hope to fill needs with the latest recruiting class introduced on National Signing Day on Wednesday, which includes 21 scholarship athletes and one preferred walk-on.
“I think we addressed a ton of needs, and I think a lot of these guys are going to have the opportunity to play early in their career,” Dantonio said Wednesday afternoon.
Eleven of the 22 players play on the line of scrimmage. The class, which currently is ranked No. 31 by the recruiting website Rivals.com, is headlined by four-star linebacker Lawrence Thomas — the No. 1 player in Michigan — and four-star defensive lineman Brandon Clemons.
The class includes players from 12 states and Canada. Six players in the class hail from the state of Michigan.
“The first thing you have to do is you have to have, what I believe, is the size and speed to play at your position,” Dantonio said. “Relative to your position, you have to have relative size and speed. The next thing you have to have is you have to be a good football player on the film. After that we start looking at the intangibles.”
Here are the recruits who have sent their National Letters of Intent to MSU, in order of their letter validation, with star rating from Rivals.com. MSU signed 21 players to NLIs with one preferred walk-on.
Donavon Clark, 3-star offensive lineman (6-foot-4, 305 pounds, Cincinnati, Ohio)
Ranked as the No. 13 offensive guard by Scout.com and the No. 47 offensive tackle by Rivals. Dantonio says Clark has both the size and speed to be a difference maker.
Connor Cook, 3-star quarterback (6-foot-3, 197 pounds, Hinckley, Ohio)
Ranked as the No. 13 pro-style quarterback by Rivals. Dantonio said Cook has great decision-making abilities and does have enough speed to move outside the pocket.
Jack Allen, 3-star offensive lineman (6-foot-2, 262 pounds, Hinsdale, Ill.)
Ranked as the No. 7 center in the nation by Scout.com, Allen brings true center experience, something MSU lacks. Allen also is the No. 1 ranked wrestler in the state of Illinois.
Brandon Clemons, 4-star offensive lineman (6-foot-4, 265 pounds, Milford, Pa.)
Ranked as the No. 6 offensive guard by Rivals and a SuperPrep All-American. Dantonio said Clemons likely will be moved ot the defensive line.
Juwan Caesar, 3-star wide receiver (6-foot-4, 205 pounds, Miami, Fla.)
Ranked as the No. 67 wide receiver by Rivals, Caesar has a big frame, but is not as fast as many receivers in the state. Dantonio compared him to former Ohio State wide receiver Michael Jenkins.
Shilique Calhoun, 3-star defensive end (6-foot-5, 225 pounds, Middletown, N.J.)
Ranked as the No. 21 senior in New Jersey by Rivals. Also plays basketball for his high school. Dantonio said he has the ability to play tight end, but is comparable to former Spartan linebacker Julian Peterson.
Arjen Colquhoun, 3-star defensive back (6-foot-1, 181 pounds, Windsor, Ontario)
Ranked as the No. 42 safety by Rivals, Colquhoun enrolled for the spring semester at MSU. An extremely fast player who Dantonio said to look for this spring.
Ed Davis, 3-star linebacker (6-foot-3, 214 pounds, Detroit)
Ranked as the nation’s No. 27 outside linebacker and the No. 9 player in Michigan by Rivals. Dantonio said Davis hits with power and is extremely quick.
Fou Fonoti, 3-star offensive lineman (6-foot-5, 295 pounds, Lakewood, Calif.
Named a SuperPrep junior college All-American. Cousin of former Spartans Siitupe and Domata Peko. Dantonio said Fonoti has excellent feet and can contribute at tackle or guard immediately.
Darien Harris, 3-star linebacker (6-foot-1, 215 pounds, Silver Spring, Md.
Ranked as the No. 35 outside linebacker by Rivals. Also played running back in high school. Dantonio said Harris is powerful and explosive.
Joel Heath, 3-star defensive end (6-foot-6, 250 pounds, Cincinnati, Ohio)
Ranked as the No. 49 player in Ohio. Named AP All-Ohio Division II Co-Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. Dantonio said Heath has a great first step.
Taiwan Jones, 3-star linebacker (6-foot-3, 220 pounds, New Baltimore, Mich.)
Ranked as the No. 30 outside linebacker and the No. 10 player in Michigan by Rivals. Jones played many different positions in high school. Dantonio said Jones is a great tackler in space.
Damon Knox, 3-star defensive end (6-foot-5, 265 pounds, Muskegon, Mich.)
Ranked as the No. 26 player in Michigan. Also played tight end in high school. Dantonio said Knox reminds him or former Spartan Robaire Smith.
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Paul Lang, 2-star tight end (6-foot-5, 235 pounds, Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Ranked the No. 62 tight end in the nation by Scout.com. Ranked the No. 23 player in Pennsylvania. Dantonio said Lang has great and hands and is very good as a blocker.
Kyle Lints, 3-star offensive lineman (preferred walk-on) (6-foot-3, 275 pounds, Traverse City, Mich.)
Ranked as the No. 18 player in Michigan. Passed on offers from Mid-American Conference schools to walk-on at MSU.
Onaje Miller, 3-star athlete (5-foot-10, 180 pounds, Lansing, Mich.)
Ranked as the No. 14 player in Michigan by Rivals. Missed six games this past season because of a sprained ankle. Dantonio said Miller makes plays all over the field as a running back, defensive back and returner.
Matt Ramondo, 3-star defensive tackle (6-foot-4, 285 pounds, Las Cruces, N.M.)
Ranked as the No. 46 defensive tackle in the country. Ranked as the No. 2 player in New Mexico. Dantonio said Ramondo has great hands and feet for hi size.
Mark Scarpinato, 3-star defensive tackle (6-foot-3, 270 pounds, Milwaukee, Wis.)
Ranked as the No. 7 player in Wisconsin by Rivals. Dantonio said Scarpinato has great balance and power.
Andre Sims Jr., 3-star wide receiver (5-foot-9, 170 pounds, Snellville, Ga.)
Ranked as the No. 63 wide receiver in the nation by Rivals. Ranked the No. 40 player in Georgia. Dantonio said has a great pass-catching ability in a crowd.
Lawrence Thomas, 4-star linebacker (6-foot-4, 245 pounds, Detroit)
Rivals All-American. Ranked as the No. 55 player in the nation and No. 1 in Michigan by Rivals. Dantonio said Thomas is a player a defense can be built around.
Trae Waynes, 2-star defensive back (6-foot, 165 pounds, Kenosha, Wis.)
Ranked as the No. 14 player in Wisconsin by Rivals. Dantonio said Waynes was one of the fastest players he’s ever had at a camp.
Roger Williamson, 3-star wide receiver/defensive back (6-foot-1, 190 pounds, Middletown, Ohio)
Ranked as the No. 31 defensive back by Scout.com. Ranked as the No. 70 wide receiver by Rivals. Dantonio said Williamson will play safety because of his awareness and ball skills.
To read more about National Signing Day, check out the MSU Football Blog
