I have always wanted to do this. I find the recruiting aspect of the college football game to be exciting. I will break down each position for Michigan State and share with you players high school rankings, rivals star ranking, where they are from, what high school they played for and whom MSU beat out to receive the service of each individual athlete.  It gives you a better idea of what type of player MSU has starting at each position!!

Note: Rivals rates players on a five star basis, and also on a 6.1 point scale, to help make things more clear.

QUARTERBACKS

7  Brian Hoyer  North Olmsted, OH (St. Ignatius) ***star rating,   5.6/6.1 rivals rating, #14 pro-style qb and was ranked #16 overall in Ohio '04.  He chose Michigan State over S.C, WF,CINCI,DUKE, IND AND OHIO

#8  Kirk Cousins Holland, MI (Holland Christian H.S) *** star rating,  5.5/6.1 rivals rating, ranked #27 overall in Michigan '07, committed to Michigan State over N. ILL, TOLEDO, WMU, COLORADO

#9  Keith Nichol Lowell, MI (Lowell H.S)  **** star rating, 5.9/6.1 rivals rating, ranked #6 dual  threat Qb coming out of high school in '07.  Rivals top 250 recruit, #4 in Michigan '07, Initially chose OU over MSU, CINCI, WISC, IA but later chose the right school and transferred to Michigan State.  *My prediction for starter next year*

The Future:  Michigan State has another elite 11 Qb coming in next fall.  Andrew Maxwell from Midland, MI (Midland High) ****star, 5.9/6.1 rivals ranking, ranked #8 pro-style QB overall, rivals top 250 recruit, #5 overall player in Michigan class '09.  Michigan State QB group ranking is currently at #18 nationally.  Verbally commmitted to MSU before BCS schools could be actively involved.  

Michigan State is actively recruiting 3 QB's for 2010 season!  All three of the juniors are rivals pre-season top 250 overall, regardless of position.   First is Robert Bolden, Orchard LK St. Marys, has offers from MSU, nw, ne, vandy, wisc and cmu.  Bolden is considered a dual threat QB!  Joe Boisture, Goodrich, MI (Goodrich H.S) is considered a pro-style QB, and has offers from Pitt, and B.C, MSU is actively evaluating Boisture who also claims that MSU was his childhood favorite school.  The last of the 3 junior QB's in the state of Michigan is Dual Threat Qb Devin Gardner, Inkster, MI (Inskster), has offers from MSU, u-m, cinci, ia, ne, pur, b.g, cmu, and toledo.

RUNNING BACK

#23  Javon Ringer Dayton, OH (Chaminade-Julienne) *** star, 5.7/6.1 rivals rating, #18 RB overall, #13 overall in Ohio '05, chose MSU over USC, TENN, FLA, IA.  His high school highlight tape is really worth watching!!

#27 Andre Anderson  Barrington, IL (Barrington H.S)*** star, 5.5/6.1 rivals rating, N/R among RB position nationally but was ranked #18 overall in ILL in '07.  Anderson chose MSU over MINN, EMU, N.ILL, IND, IA ST.

#45 Andrew Hawken, Wyoming, MI (Grandville)  ***star, 5.6/6.1 rivals rating, #35 LB nationally, #5 player overall in Mich in '05.  Committed to MSU over WISC, IND

#20  A.J Jimmerson, St. Louis, MO (Hazelwood Central) ***star, 5.5/6.1 rivals rating, #30 RB nationally, #8 overall in MO '05.  Committed to MSU over MINN, MO, NE, TULSA

#32 Ashton Leggett, Muskegon, MI (Muskegon High) *** star, 5.5/6.1 rivals rating, N/R nationally among RB, #21 overall player in Michigan' 07.  Committed to MSU over BUFF, CMU, WMU, EMU, N.ILL, TOLEDO

#24 Caulton Ray, Southfield, MI (Brother Rice) *** star, 5.6/6.1 rivals rating, #43 RB nationally, #17 in Michigan overall in '08.  Committed to msu over AKRON, B.G, EMU, CMU, CINCI, TOLEDO

#41 Glen Winston, Detroit, MI (Denby Tech) *** star, 5.5/6.1 rivals rating, #89 ath nationally, #20 overall in Michigan '08.  Was not recruited heavily but was considered a legend in detroit in '08. *I predict Winston will start next year unless Baker and Caper come in this summer and take over*

The Future: Michigan State is in the process of signing the nations #7 RB class of 2009.   Larry Caper, and Edwin Baker are the highlights of this class.  Caper is from Battle Creek, Mi ( Battle Creek Central), **** star, 5.8/6.1 rivals ranking, #25 overall rb in the nation, and is ranked #9 in the state of Michigan for 2009.  Verbally Committed to MSU over PUR, CINCI, STAN, MICH, IA.   Edwin Baker, Oak Park (Oak Park H.S) is a rivals top 250 recruit overall of position.  He is ranked #41 overall, regardless of postion. He is a **** star, 6.0/6.1 rivals ranking, #5 RB overall, #2 in the state of Michigan overall for the class of 2009.  He was also invited to the prestigous Army All-American Game!  Last RB that committed to MSU to be invited to that All-Star game was T.J Duckett.  Edwin verbally committed to MSU over  PUR, FLA, TX,TENN, GA, IA, MICH! 

For 2010, MSU is in the lead for pre-season top 3 overall player in Austin White, from Livonia (Stevenson).  He is the younger brother of twins, Myles and Mitchell!  Some say Austin White is the #1 Junior Recruit in the state of Michigan.  MSU and U-M have offered.  He is also listed in the rivals pre season top 250 for the class of 2010.  Ovid Elsie's Chris Robinson is also gaining national attention and MSU has him in their sights for 2010 as well.  Robinson has rushed for over 2000 yards this season and is averaging over 9 yards a carry.

WIDE RECEIVER

#3 B.J Cunningham, Westerville, OH (South H.S), ***star, 5.5/6.1 rivals rating, #38 player overall in OH in 2008.  Committed to MSU over  AKRON, KENT ST, MARSH, MIAMI-OH, TOLEDO, CINCI.  *predicted returning starter for next year*

#84 Deon Curry, Oakland Township, MI (Country Day), *** star, 5.5/6.1 rivals ranking, #74 WR overall nationally, #15 overall in Michigan in 2005.  Committed to MSU over interest from NW, GA, ILL, and IND.

#2 Mark Dell, Farmington Hills, MI (Harrison), **** star, 5.8/6.1 rivals ranking, #21 Wr nationally, #7 in Michigan in 2007, committed to MSU over PUR, WISC, AND IA.  *predicted returning start next year*

#82 Keshawn Martin, Inkster, MI (John Glen), *** star, 5.6/6.1 rivals rating, #80 Wr nationally, #14 overall in Michigan '08.  Highly under-rated and like winston came under the radar and fell onto MSU's laps during the recruiting process.  MSU saw his highlight film and after 7 seconds of watching, Dantonio offered!!!

#16 Chris D. Rucker, Detroit, MI (Country Day), ** star, 5.2/6.1 rivals rating, #26 overall in Michigan in 2008.  Committed to MSU over  PUR, B.G, EMU, IA, MIAMI-OH.

#6  Fred Smith, Detroit, MI (Southeastern), ****star, 5.9/6.1 rivals ranking, #24 WR nationally, #5 in Michigan in 2008.  Committed to MSU over  PUR, WISC, B,G, ILL, MICH *would like to see play more next year*

#80 Myles White, Livonia, MI ( Stevenson) ** star, 5.1/6.1 ranking, N/R, has twin brother #86 Mitchell White who plays for MSU as well.

#19 David Williams, Monroeville, PA (Gateway), ** star, 4.9/6.1 rivals ranking, N/R nationally or in his state coming out of h.s  Committed to MSU over AKRON, KENT ST, KY, and YOUNGSTOWN ST.

*I feel bad  that I do not have anything on Blair White, for he is a very interesting story and I would be happy to share with you his h.s ranking and stats.  Since he is a walk-on * now on scholarship* I do not have any information on the RISING star receiver.* 

Future:  MSU has 3 verbal commitments for class 2009.  Bennie Fowler,  Detroit, Mi (Country Day), *** star, 5.6/6.1 rivals rating, #99 WR nationally, #30 overall player in Michigan for class 2009.  Committed to MSU over Ind.  Donald Spencer, Yipsilanti, MI (Ypsilanti), **** star, 5.8/6.1 rivals ranking, #34 overall WR, #10 in the state of Michigan for 2008.  Committed to MSU early in recruiting process.  The last WR Commitment is Pat White, Pickerington, OH (Central), *** star, 5.7/6.1 rating, #53 WR nationally, #28 player in Ohio for 2009.  Commited to MSU over ORE, CINCI, WV, IND,KS, and LOUISVILLE!

MSU currently has the #9 overall ranked WR recruiting class coming in 2009!

Tight End

#83 Charlie Gant, Farmington Hills, MI (Brother Rice), **** star, 5.8/6.1 rivals rating, #14 T.E Nationally, #4 player overall in Michigan in 2006, Committed to MSU over N.C, B.G, CMU, WMU, EMU, CINCI and DUKE

#85 Garrett Celek, Cincinnati, OH (Lasalle H.S), ** star, N/R nationally and in the state of OH, he committed to MSU over CINCI

Future:  MSU has one commitment at the TE position.  Although most predict he will be moved to the OL.  Derek Hoebing, Vermillion, OH (Vermillion), **star, 5.4/6.1 rivals rating, N/R nationally and is ranked #84 in Ohio for class 2009.  I have no opinion on whom I think might start next year for MSU at this position.  I like Sims if he commits to MSU, but there is always much more love for a incoming recruit, especially a 4-star player.

Rumor has it that rivals **** star T.E Dion Sims, Orchard Lake St. Marys has MSU in the lead.  He is ranked #6 T.E Overall nationally, #2 fastest T.E nationally, #2 best athlete T.E nationally, #8 overall player in Michigan for 2009.  Because analysts did not know if he would play college basketball or football, is the reason his rating has went down.  He was the state of Michigan #1 football recruit and was in the top 30 overall in the nation regardless of position before the season.  His season ended early with a knee injury, the same Ringer received his Sr. season in h.s.  If MSU pulls the commitment from Sims, watch their overall Team recruiting ranking sky rocket up, from their current position of #17 nationally, #3 in the Big Ten!!!!

If I have forgotten some players, please let me know, I will gladly add them to the list.  I will have the OL, DL, coming shortly.  Following with LB, DB, K/P

 I have no affiliation with rivals.com, spartan mag or with any recruiting agency.  This is all information I have gathered throughout the process