Prospects recruiting other prospects is a big story line in the Class of 2016, and that shouldn't be pushed aside. Messiah deWeaver is obviously a key figure in the narrative of the Dream Team Class, but that shouldn't overshadow the role that area recruiters, position coaches, and Coach Dantonio himself has played in assembling what will without a doubt end up being Michigan State's third straight consensus Top 25 ranked recruiting class.
Among the more interesting things points in follow-up interview with NaQuan Jones was the emphasis he placed on the personal role Dantonio took in the recruiting process. We've all seen the picture that Jones took with Steve Spurrier during an unofficial visit to South Carolina, but it was Dantonio's visit to Jones' school that made the decision an obvious one for the four-star DT.
I can't remember whether it was Rico or Matt Dorsey that pointed it out when we spoke on the phone yesterday, but it is pretty clear that Dantonio went the extra mile with many of the recruits in this class to establish a relationship with members of this class during various stages of the recruiting process.
The personal connection that Jones felt with Dantonio was huge in the player's decision. And that takes us back to the relationship aspect that is critical for success in recruiting. Dantonio built a strong bond with Robertson over the span of several unofficial visits, and that relationship was critical to getting him.
One of the things that stood out during my conversation with the TC West Coach after Thiyo Lukusa committed earlier this spring, is the fact that Mark Dantonio was the only head coach to travel to Traverse City inquire after Lukusa during the recruiting process. The fact that Dantonio made an effort to get to Lukusa's high school was one of many factors that put the Spartans on top in the recruitment of a player that some considered a lock for Michigan 12 months before his commitment to Michigan State.
Among the more interesting things points in follow-up interview with NaQuan Jones was the emphasis he placed on the personal role Dantonio took in the recruiting process. We've all seen the picture that Jones took with Steve Spurrier during an unofficial visit to South Carolina, but it was Dantonio's visit to Jones' school that made the decision an obvious one for the four-star DT.
I can't remember whether it was Rico or Matt Dorsey that pointed it out when we spoke on the phone yesterday, but it is pretty clear that Dantonio went the extra mile with many of the recruits in this class to establish a relationship with members of this class during various stages of the recruiting process.
The personal connection that Jones felt with Dantonio was huge in the player's decision. And that takes us back to the relationship aspect that is critical for success in recruiting. Dantonio built a strong bond with Robertson over the span of several unofficial visits, and that relationship was critical to getting him.
One of the things that stood out during my conversation with the TC West Coach after Thiyo Lukusa committed earlier this spring, is the fact that Mark Dantonio was the only head coach to travel to Traverse City inquire after Lukusa during the recruiting process. The fact that Dantonio made an effort to get to Lukusa's high school was one of many factors that put the Spartans on top in the recruitment of a player that some considered a lock for Michigan 12 months before his commitment to Michigan State.
