EAST LANSING - Michigan State's 2016 recruiting class was the highest-ranked group in Mark Dantonio's decade as coach.
It was supposed to reflect the Spartans' ascent to the national stage and infuse the program with the talent necessary to extend its presence as a Big Ten power.
Now, less than a year after that group arrived in East Lansing, the Spartans are picking up the pieces following their worst season in more than two decades. And, the 2016 class was eviscerated as four of its players - defensive ends Auston Robertson and Josh King, wide receiver Donnie Corley and safety Demetric Vance - were kicked off the team as they face sexual assault charges.