Michigan State football recruiting report

Based on the recruiting-analyst rankings, Michigan State's 2012 class doesn't have much "wow" factor. Especially not in terms of trying to turn the Spartans into a consistent top program nationally. As of early Monday afternoon, coach Mark Dantonio had received 17 verbal commitments from high-school prospects who can begin signing official letters of intent on Wednesday. MSU's class consists of three four-star recruits, 13 three-stars and one two-star, according to Scout.com. The Spartans are ranked No. 37 nationally, although that's good enough for third in the Big Ten behind Ohio State and Michigan. Not the greatest, at least on paper, for a program coming off two straight 11-win seasons. "It never really does on paper for them, but they win with those guys," Scout.com recruiting analyst Allen Trieu said. "It's been their M.O. to recruit guys that fit their system, guys that work hard, guys that play hard. I think this class is a perfect example of that. It's your classic, workmanlike Michigan State class." The strength of the class is at receiver, a position of need because Michigan State is losing B.J. Cunningham, Keshawn Martin and Keith Nichol. Aaron Burbridge (Farmington Hills, Mich.) and Monty Madaris (Cincinnati) are both four-star players. Burbridge is ranked as the No. 9 receiver in the nation by Scout.com while Madaris is No. 26. MSU also has a commitment for another receiver, Kyle Kerrick, a three-star prospect from Coatesville, Pa. Trieu ranks Burbridge, who made 32 catches for 753 yards and six touchdowns as a senior at Farmington Harrison High, as the top player in the state of Michigan. "I think he's got a great chance to step in and play right away," Trieu said. Michigan State's other four-star commitment came from linebacker Jamal Lyles of Southfield (Mich.) Lathrup high. Trieu identified two others sleepers, players who are perhaps underrated, who stand out in this class to him. He believes defensive back Mark Meyers (Toledo, Ohio) and linebacker Riley Bullough (Traverse City, Mich.) could exceed their three-star rankings. Meyers originally committed to stay at home and play in the Mid-American Conference for the Toledo Rockets. He changed his mind when he got the Big Ten offer. Trieu said Meyers could play safety or cornerback. "I was really surprised he didn't have more offers," Trieu said. None of those offers came from another Big Ten school, but as Trieu pointed out, "(Former MSU quarterback) Kirk Cousins didn't have a single other Big Ten offer. (Starting running back) Le'Veon Bell didn't have a single other Big Ten offer. A lot of guys who've started for Michigan State fall into that mold." Bullough's brother, Max, is a starting linebacker for the Spartans. His father, Shane, and grandfather, Hank, also played at MSU. Bullough was the first player in this class to commit to Michigan State back in April. It was sort of a no-brainer considering his family's background. "He's got all the pedigree, all the smarts, all the instincts, everything you'd want in a prospect," Trieu said. Michigan State lost an early commitment from four-star defensive end Se'Von Pittman (Canton, Ohio), who switched to Ohio State after Urban Meyer was hired as the Buckeyes' coach. The recent addition of Madaris, whose commitment was announced Sunday night, moved the Spartans' class up two spots from fifth in the Big Ten, past Penn State and Northwestern. Trieu called Madaris a "big get" for the Spartans. There are still a handful of other recruits who reportedly are considering Michigan State as signing day approaches. Safety Demetrious Cox (Jeannette, Pa.) and offensive tackle Kyle Dodson (University Heights, Ohio) are four-star prospects while defensive end Jamichael Winston (Prichard, Ala.), defensive tackle Terrell Jackson (Columbus, Ohio) and defensive tackle Julian Pinnix-Odrick (Montclair, N.J.) and are three-stars. Adding one more defensive lineman would help offset the disappointment of losing Pittman to the Buckeyes.