Top Recruits Who Will Be Impacted by the Result of Michigan-Michigan State

Rivalry weekend is still a month away, but heated rivals Michigan and Michigan State will do battle this weekend in East Lansing. 

The two Big Ten powers seem to be headed in opposite directions, as Mark Dantonio’s Spartans are ranked in the Top 10 while Brady Hoke has been dealing with questions about his future due to the Wolverines' slow start to the season.

Recruits who are considering both schools will likely be paying close attention to how each program fares in this contest.

A win for the Spartans, who have won five of the last six meetings with the Wolverines, would continue their march toward a second consecutive Big Ten title and a chance to claim a coveted berth in the College Football Playoff. 

On the other hand, an upset for the Wolverines would bring some much-needed relief for Hoke and his staff at the expense of one of their most hated rivals.

Which top recruits will be impacted by the result of Saturday’s clash between Michigan and Michigan State?

2015 4-Star CB/ATH Brian Cole (Saginaw, Michigan)

Brian Cole committed to Michigan back in July, over offers from Michigan State and Wisconsin, among others.

However, according to Evan Flood of Badger247 (subscription required), Cole visited Madison earlier this month and has remained in contact with the Spartans. 

Cole visited Michigan State in the spring, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see him take a return trip to East Lansing at some point.

This weekend’s game could go a long way toward solidifying Cole’s plans to head to Ann Arbor next fall or reconsider the Spartans as a potential destination.

2016 4-Star WR Donnie Corley (Detroit, Michigan)

One of the hottest receivers in the country is 2016 4-star wideout Donnie Corley. 

The 6’2”, 180-pound received an offer from Michigan State last month and one from Michigan two weeks ago.

“When I found out Michigan State offered me, I told myself I’m blessed,” Corley told SpartanTailgate (subscription required). “Michigan State is a great program, I love the coaches and you can tell they’re heading into the right direction.”

According to Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports, the offer from the Wolverines helped move them into Corley’s lead group along with the Spartans and Notre Dame. 

With both in-state schools among his top choices, Corley will get a chance to evaluate how he would fit into each team’s offense. If either the Spartans or the Wolverines were to have a big day in the passing game, it would likely go a long way toward helping impress the state’s top junior receiving prospect.

2016 4-Star RB Matthew Falcon (Southfield, Michigan)

Credit: 247Sports

Another talented in-state junior who is primed to become a recruit and is coveted by teams across the nation is 4-star running back Matthew Falcon. 

Both Michigan and Michigan State have offered the 6’1”, 215-pound power back. Falcon was in attendance for the Wolverines' 18-13 win over Penn State.

Of the two rivals, the Spartans have fared better on the ground thus far this season, as they’ve averaged more than 261 rushing yards per game.

Meanwhile, the Wolverines have netted nearly 100 yards less than that.

If that trend continues Saturday, it may be enough to swing the momentum of Falcon’s recruitment toward Dantonio’s club.

2016 4-Star TE Luke Farrell (Perry, Ohio)

While plucking a prospect out of the state of Ohio that the Buckeyes covet is hard, both Michigan and Michigan State have each had success there over the years. 

Junior 4-star tight end Luke Farrell has offers from both the Wolverines and the Spartans.

He visited Michigan’s campus over the summer, and he’s scheduled to visit East Lansing on Nov. 22 for the Spartans' game against Rutgers.

Michigan’s history of producing tight ends may appeal to Farrell, but the Spartans—whose second-leading receiver this year is sophomore tight end Josiah Price—have a chance to make a strong impression on one of the top tight ends in the 2016 class.

2016 4-Star CB Lavert Hill (Detroit, Michigan)

Both Michigan and Michigan State have fared well in defending the pass, with both schools ranking among the top 40 in pass defense.

One player scheduled to be in attendance this weekend who will pay close attention to each secondary is 2016 4-star corner Lavert Hill.

The Wolverines have already offered the 5’11”, 170-pounder, who made it to the Big House two weeks ago for Michigan’s win over Penn State. 

The Spartans have yet to offer, but Hill is likely a candidate to receive a tender from Dantonio and his staff in the near future.

Until the point the Spartans offer, the Wolverines have to be considered as having a leg up in Hill’s recruitment.

However, Hill’s interest in Michigan State could increase dramatically after viewing the atmosphere in East Lansing this weekend.

2016 4-Star OL Thiyo Lukusa (Traverse City, Michigan)

Credit: 247Sports

Another top in-state junior scheduled to take in this weekend’s game is 4-star junior offensive lineman Thiyo Lukusa.

The 6’5”, 300-pounder has already seen both programs in action this year. He was in Ann Arbor on Sept. 27 for the Wolverines' 30-14 loss to Minnesota. One week later, Lukusa witnessed the Spartans knock off Nebraska, 27-22. 

Programs are built and rebuilt in the trenches, with talented linemen such as Lukusa among the most coveted prospects in the country. 

It’s likely that Lukusa will be dialed in on the action happening in the trenches between the Spartans and the Wolverines.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports. Stats via CFBstats.com unless otherwise noted. 

Follow @SanjayKirpalani