Michigan State is beating traditional powers like Penn State, Ohio State, and Notre Dame for kids in Illinois in this class at a level that we've never seen before. Four 11-win seasons in the past five years and back-to-back Top 5 finishes is part of it. The combined effort of Ron Burton and Brad Salem in Illinois has also paid big dividends in comparison to the days when Dan Roushar was the only active recruiter in the state. In all honesty, Michigan State probably should have recruited Illinois better than it did before the arrival of Salem and Burton. Michigan State didn't win many recruiting battles in Illinois when Roushar was on staff. But beating teams Wisconsin and Iowa for the commitment of Jack Allen in the Class of 2011 is in my mind one of the biggest recruiting victories of the Dantonio era.
The success that Jack Allen has had at Michigan State since singing as the No. 24 player in Illinois gave the Spartans credibility in Illinois. Similarly, Demetrius Cooper's decision to cast his lot with Michigan State instead of Notre Dame gave the Spartans some much-needed credibility with kids in the Chicago PSL.
Jack Allen also paved the way for younger brother Brian in 2014, and Matt in this class. As a high profile high school All-American, Brian Allen's success as a freshman gave the program even more credibility future blue chip talent in Illinois.
Just a few short years ago, Michigan State was regularly getting beaten by Wisconsin and Iowa for Chicago talent. Even power conference lightweights like Iowa State and Purdue (See Bruce Gaston) managed to beat MSU for some Plan A types.
I don't think that Michigan State would be having the success in Illinois in this class without Jack Allen signing in the 2011. The near-constant criticism of Kirk Ferentz and Iowa during a multi-year decline at Iowa since the retirement of the late great Norm Parker has helped. Coaching turnover at Wisconsin has also factor into Michigan State's emergence as heavyweight on the recruiting trail in Illinois.
Jack Allen in 2011 and Demetrius Cooper in 2013, both Roushar guys, have had a hand in Michigan State's ability to recruit like this in Illinois.
Dividing Illinois between two good recruiters in Salem and Burton has been hugely successful, as was Dantonio's decision to divide Pennsylvania between Dave Warner and Mark Staten a few years back.
The success that Jack Allen has had at Michigan State since singing as the No. 24 player in Illinois gave the Spartans credibility in Illinois. Similarly, Demetrius Cooper's decision to cast his lot with Michigan State instead of Notre Dame gave the Spartans some much-needed credibility with kids in the Chicago PSL.
Jack Allen also paved the way for younger brother Brian in 2014, and Matt in this class. As a high profile high school All-American, Brian Allen's success as a freshman gave the program even more credibility future blue chip talent in Illinois.
Just a few short years ago, Michigan State was regularly getting beaten by Wisconsin and Iowa for Chicago talent. Even power conference lightweights like Iowa State and Purdue (See Bruce Gaston) managed to beat MSU for some Plan A types.
I don't think that Michigan State would be having the success in Illinois in this class without Jack Allen signing in the 2011. The near-constant criticism of Kirk Ferentz and Iowa during a multi-year decline at Iowa since the retirement of the late great Norm Parker has helped. Coaching turnover at Wisconsin has also factor into Michigan State's emergence as heavyweight on the recruiting trail in Illinois.
Jack Allen in 2011 and Demetrius Cooper in 2013, both Roushar guys, have had a hand in Michigan State's ability to recruit like this in Illinois.
Dividing Illinois between two good recruiters in Salem and Burton has been hugely successful, as was Dantonio's decision to divide Pennsylvania between Dave Warner and Mark Staten a few years back.
