Michigan State Football: 5 Freshmen the Spartans Can Build Around

Following a rough 2012 season, Michigan State has quietly put together a solid recruiting class. Despite only landing three 4-star recruits, the Spartans were able to bring in a good amount of talent. 

Besides the highly-touted recruits, MSU brought in several players who have the potential to develop into quality starters. At the top of their recruiting list is Damion Terry, a pro-style quarterback from Cathedral Prep in Pennsylvania. 

While Terry is probably the best of MSU’s recruiting class this year, he is just one of several freshman who could make an impact on the field for the Spartans next year. 

5. R.J. Shelton, RB

R.J. Shelton is a guy who many consider a tad underrated. The Wisconsin native has good size at 5’11”, 185 pounds and possesses some serious speed. Shelton is an overall good back with tremendous lateral quickness. 

His combination of speed, power and toughness make him a great prospect for the Spartans. Shelton is also great at making cuts in the hole without wasting much time and without pushing down the field. 

Besides Shelton’s elusiveness, he has great hands coming out of the backfield. Another reason why Shelton will be such a weapon is his ability to return kicks. Shelton is more of an all-purpose back than a power back; he’s good in many different aspects of the game. 

He is a home-run hitter and will be a playmaker for the Spartans sooner than later. 

4. Jon Reschke, LB

Jon Reschke is a 4-star recruit from Michigan and could be the next great defensive player at Michigan State. Reschke seems to be the heir apparent to current middle linebacker Max Bullough. 

Reschke is incredibly instinctual and plays with a certain aggression that you rarely see in a "Mike" linebacker. While his lateral quickness leaves something to be desired, he is great at hitting the hole and closing in on the opposing player.

Plain and simple, the kid can play. He's got a nose for the football and is seemingly unblockable on some plays. His ability to rush the quarterback will also do him much good in college. 

Reschke is the definition of a sure tackler. He has great upside and will likely become a pillar of the Spartans’ defense when his time comes.

3. Shane Jones, LB

Shane Jones is yet another solid, young linebacker prospect for the Spartans. He has the ability to play sideline-to-sideline and make a serious impact on defense for his team. 

He is extremely agile for a linebacker and is great at finding the ball carrier. Jones is versatile enough to play any linebacker position but excels in the pass rush. On tape he looks like a young Von Miller at times; he has incredible speed off the edge, and his close-in speed is scary good. 

He is a very technical tackler as well, and it’s not often a player gets past him. 

2. Delton Williams, ATH

Delton Williams will be joining his high school teammate Damion Terry in the green and white next year. The athlete spent time at both safety and running back in high school, but will most likely shift his focus to the defensive side of the ball. 

At 6’1”, 205 pounds Williams has the size, as well as speed, to be a ball hawk for the Spartan defense. 

On tape, Williams shows his instinctive ability as a defender. That, along with his physical attributes, is what will make him a valuable player for MSU down the road. 

1. Damion Terry, QB

Damion Terry is clearly this year’s top prospect for the Spartans. Terry is 6’3”, 210 pounds and moves very well for a quarterback. At times, Terry has looked like the second coming of Colin Kaepernick. 

He has a strong, accurate arm and is a good runner outside of the pocket. While he has mainly worked out of the shotgun, Terry is very comfortable under center and on the run. 

Terry could challenge incumbent starter Andrew Maxwell for the job sooner than later. Maxwell was not who the Spartans had hoped him to be in 2012. 

If Maxwell’s struggles carry over into 2013, look for head coach Mark Dantonio to make the switch and see what the freshman can do. 

Terry is the future of Michigan State at the quarterback position.