Michigan State Basketball Recruiting: Make or Break Players for 2015 Class

With the 2014-15 season looming just under one month away, it is becoming more pivotal for Michigan State to secure some of its top recruits for security purposes. For the 2015 class, one make-or-break target remains within Tom Izzo's sights: Caleb Swanigan.

He's the key, and also the player who would likely propel that class into a top-5 group nationally. Currently, MSU has three commitments: Deyonta Davis (ranked as a 5-star recruit by 247sports.com), Matt McQuaid (4-star) and Kyle Ahrens (three-star).

All three of those high school seniors have the abilities to impact games right away.

Davis is a disciplined, lanky and skilled post player whose game strongly resembles Adreian Payne's. McQuaid and Ahrens are similar because both guys rely on their outside jumpers to impact games, though both are quick enough to enter the lane and finish.

Currently, it's a big-time class. 247sports.com has rated MSU's 2015 group as the 11th best in the nation. And if Swanigan signs on, he and his AAU teammate Davis could potentially form the next great frontcourt in East Lansing.

Unfortunately, Swanigan's decision continues to hang in the balance. He has been undecided for several months now, refusing to give any clear indicators of where he intends to play.

And MSU needs his skill set. Any team would happily allow a 6'8", 275-pound beast with great awareness and fantastic touch on its squad.

But MSU needs it.

Branden Dawson is the lone returning starter from an Elite Eight team with an excellent frontcourt. He will be called upon to shoulder a considerable amount of the scoring and rebounding responsibilities. Due to his age, however, that onus will only last for another year.

Upon his graduation, MSU will look to find answers. Maybe Matt Costello and Gavin Schilling will prove themselves to be capable big men this season, but neither player has Davis' or Swanigan's potential.

Davis will likely step in immediately, although he needs to add bulk to his frame. Swanigan is only growing and improving. He is cut from the Derrick Nix-Zach Randolph mold, two former Spartan greats, dominating with size and skill around the rim.

Those are the types of skills Izzo will be yearning for in a year from now. ESPN's No. 8 ranked player in the country is a must-have.

After Swanigan, the interest level of the remaining targets shrinks considerably.

Two remaining prospects are guard Hyron Edwards and and dual-sport athlete Khari Willis.

Edwards is a dynamic combo guard from East Illinois. He plays with a tremendous tempo and can enter the lane at will. His jump shot is still improving, but he can make open looks.

Michigan State has not extended an offer to Edwards yet, but it appears to be interested. The 6'1" guard's recruiting profile is immersed with Big Ten foes, so if Izzo missed out, he may end up paying for it.

Willis, on the other hand, holds a more interesting situation. The 6-footer has already signed on to play football for Mark Dantonio and the Spartans as a cornerback.

He's pretty good on the court, too. According to Rich McGowan of highschoolsports.mlive.com, Izzo candidly acknowledged he "loves two-sport guys," which opens the possibility to Willis playing in front of the Breslin crowd.

While that would be a sensational storyline, it wouldn't be as plausible. From a depth and personnel standpoint, MSU is already loaded with fantastic guards. Willis is lesser developed than Lourawls Nairn, the point guard of the future for State, but plays similarly.

Nairn will only be a sophomore when Willis arrives in East Lansing, and an abundance of combo guards will also be vying for playing time. That includes Bryn Forbes and Eron Harris, two established transfers from Division I schools.

That type of depth and skill essentially eliminates other guards from the recruiting discussion. That is, unless the player is a top-notch prospect.

So, the remaining outlook for the class of 2015 remains how it has been for the last several months: all-in for Swanigan.