What to make of Jonathan Smith’s first three weeks and initial Michigan State football recruiting class

EAST LANSING – Jonathan Smith, it seems, pulled it off.

In the 22 days since he was introduced as Michigan State’s head coach, he hired most of his staff, including his two coordinators, met with MSU’s current players in the mornings and hit the recruiting trail by afternoon and evening, all the while analyzing he roster, getting a handle on MSU’s NIL situation, and aggressively recruiting the transfer portal, which, among other key additions, produced the Spartans’ presumed starting quarterback in Aidan Chiles. Wednesday, he and his staff showed some their work, signing a large portion of their first recruiting class — 18 players in all.

That’s a ridiculous three weeks. Unfair to everyone involved. And could be alleviated in part by getting rid of the December signing period for high school recruits and just having it in February, like the old days.

“It’s not ideal, I know that. And that’s not just specific to our stuff here,” Smith said Wednesday.

The frenzied nature of Smith’s initial weeks and his rushed first recruiting class makes it hard to know everything about who he’ll be as a recruiter and what MSU’s classes will look like in the years to come. But given the circumstances, this was a good haul. Here’s what stood out:

Two four-star high school recruits, Hawaiian offensive tackle Rustin Young and River Rouge receiver back Nick Marsh, who’d been re-committed to MSU since July. Hiring receivers coach Courtney Hawkins from the previous staff certainly helped keep Marsh. But Marsh was also the first recruit Smith visited. Smith made it clear Marsh was a priority, while showing he himself is no fool.

Five offensive lineman in all. You can never recruit enough of them, especially when a number of yours are in the transfer portal. As Mark Dantonio learned the hard way a decade ago with a…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/couch-jonathan-smiths-first-three-075828373.html

Author : Lansing State Journal

Publish date : 2023-12-21 07:58:28

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