Spartans land four-star brothers

Michigan State has made some late January recruiting noise after flipping four-star Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward prospects Andrew Dowell and David Dowell.

"Andrew and I have officially committed to Michigan State," David Dowell reported Wednesday evening.

The Dowell brothers had previously been committed to Kentucky. They made that commitment in October and appeared solid until this week. Prior to the Kentucky commitment, both brothers had committed to Northwestern in the spring before stepping away from those pledges in the summer.

The commitment to Michigan State comes a week before National Signing Day. Neither brother took an official visit to East Lansing during the course of their recruitments, but both attended the Spartan's summer camp prior to their junior years. It was at that camp where they landed their first offers, from the University of Toledo.

The 6-foot, 177-pound David Dowell is ranked as the No. 30 cornerback prospect in the 2015 class. He played plenty of wide receiver during his time at St. Edward and did have some college looks for that position, but appears headed to college to play in the defensive backfield.

David finished his senior season with 64 tackles, 18 pass breakups and two interceptions on defense and 33 catches and four touchdowns on offense for a St. Edward team that won the Division 1 state title in Ohio this past fall.

The 6-foot, 200-pound Andrew Dowell is ranked as the No. 15 athlete prospect in the 2015 class. He had been exclusively recruited as a running back prior to his senior season when he started at safety and showed great potential on the defensive side of the football. Michigan State will bring Andrew in as an athlete and figure out his position after he arrives on campus.

Both brothers also play basketball for St. Edward and have a game this Saturday. They could make the drive to East Lansing after their game for a quick official visit or unofficial visit before the dead period starts at midnight on Feb. 2, but discussions on whether that will happen are still on-going.