Midwest recruiting Four-Cast
Of the 28 prospects from the Midwest ranked in the Rivals250, just 12 remain uncommitted heading into the summer. Here is a look at four of those prospects and which teams are the major players.
The Situation: There is not much out there from Davis on his recruitment because the Dayton-area prospect does not talk about it much, but we have been hearing for some time that Michigan State and Penn State are the main two schools here. He plans to officially trim his list soon, but says he will take official visits before a decision is made.
The Frontrunner: Penn State
Penn State emerged early as a favorite for Davis in large part because of the relationship the coaching staff established with him. He made an unofficial visit to State College in the last few weeks and has another trip planned there in July. Things are tight at the top, but if one team has an edge it is the Nittany Lions.
The Other Option: Michigan State
Michigan State has been neck-and-neck with Penn State for several months, and if the decision were made today it would definitely be one of those two programs. Davis also visited East Lansing in recent weeks and the Spartans have had a lot of success recruiting the southwest Ohio area.
But Don’t Count Out: Michigan
Two of Davis’ teammates – sophomores Antwuan Johnson and Leonard Taylor – are already committed to Michigan, and he is close with both players. The issue here is that the Wolverines have not offered yet. They are showing interest, and if that offer does come through his top group would likely grow to three schools.
The Situation: As far as teams go, this is the same exact lineup, in the same order, as Danny Davis’ list. Early on Dotson like a good possibility to follow his former teammate, Jake Hausmann, to Ohio State, but the Buckeyes' needs at the tight end position are not strong and that has cleared the way for other Big Ten schools to arise. A July 6 decision is planned.
The Frontrunner: Penn State
With his friend and fellow Cincinnati-area four-star Sean Clifford in his ear about the Nittany Lions, Dotson made his way out to State College in May for his first visit to the school. The reaction was strong, and Penn State immediately took over as the team to beat. A return trip was taken with his mother this past weekend, and Penn State will be tough to top.
The Other Option: Michigan State
Dotson was at Michigan State on Wednesday. It was the most recent of several visits to East Lansing, but was it enough to overcome the sizable lead held by Penn State? Doston does not have the depth of connections at Michigan State as he does with Clifford at Penn State, but the Spartans have recruited Cincinnati well over recent years and do have several Queen City natives on the roster.
But Don’t Count Out: Michigan
If a third team is going to get a visit from Dotson before his planned July decision, Dotson indicated it will be Michigan. The Wolverines are a distant third to Penn State and Michigan State right now, though, and a return visit is not ensured. They would need to get him back on campus to have any shot.
The Situation: A new four-star after a dominant MVP performance at the Kansas City Rivals Camp in May, Hayes has seen his stock continue to rise on the heels of a strong performance at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge in Atlanta earlier this month. The college respect has come as well, with Miami and Kansas State among his new offers. A decision is not expected before senior year.
The Frontrunner: Missouri
The home-state school also was keen on the four-star lineman before his star turn at the Kansas City Rivals Camp, offering him a scholarship on National Signing Day in February. To reel Hayes in, the Tigers are going to have a major fight against some heavy-hitters down the stretch, but they start off in a very solid position.
The Other Option: Minnesota
The Golden Gophers beat Hayes’ MVP performance by a couple weeks and got their offer in before the interest started to pick up. They have piqued his interest due to his affinity for their run-based offense, and an unofficial visit to Minneapolis is a top priority for Hayes this summer.
But Don’t Count Out: Oklahoma
The Sooners have yet to offer Hayes, but they made a stop at his school last month and have been keeping in close contact with the St. Louis-area native since. It is obvious in my talks with him that Hayes has a lot of respect for the Sooners and the program Bob Stoops has built in Norman.
The Situation: We will finish this four-pack of Midwest prospects with a 2018 recruit who is already building a national name. Trout showed no hesitancy competing with the best in the country at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge in Atlanta this month, and although he only has seven offers right now, Trout is already considered a national prospect.
The Frontrunner: Missouri
Trout came out early and named the home-state team his leader after they made his initial offer before his sophomore season. His father is a big Mizzou fan, and the close proximity of their campus to his St. Louis home definitely does not hurt. A decision is not expected soon, but more offers are and the Tigers will have a fight on their hands.
The Other Option: Nebraska
The Cornhuskers do not have the built-in advantages of home-state and childhood affinity that Missouri does, but they recruit the state of Missouri very well and were also in with an early offer for Trout. He has named Nebraska as part of both a top two and a top three in recent weeks, and plans to visit Lincoln on June 24 for a camp.
But Don’t Count Out: Iowa
With the Missouri and Nebraska buzz out there on Trout, Iowa has kind of gotten lost in the shuffle. However, the Hawkeyes are also in with an early offer and have a strong track record of producing NFL defensive linemen. Trout made a Junior Day visit to Iowa back in the winter and had a strong reaction coming off that trip, so the Hawkeyes should not be discounted here.