Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio speaks to the media on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018, in East Lansing. Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press
EAST LANSING — It has been a busy week of checking the boxes for Michigan State football recruiting.
Kicker? Check.
Defensive ends? Check.
Quarterback? Well, not yet.
The Spartans landed four commitments in five days for their 2020 class last week, but then lost out on two 4-star quarterback recruits who picked other schools — Michael Alaimo to Purdue and Chubby Purdy to Louisville.
Still, MSU’s current eight-player group of pledges fits a pattern that Mark Dantonio’s program has become known for: a passion for football, mid-grade rankings from recruiting services and an intense desire to prove they belong at a big-time program.