Michigan State Football Recruiting: Spartans Solid on National Signing Day 2011

The end of the 2010-11 college football season was disappointing for the Michigan State Spartans. 

Despite losing just one game, and sharing the Big Ten title, the Spartans were relegated to the Capital One Bowl, where they took a 49-7 loss to Alabama. 

However, the start of a new season begins today with National Signing Day, and the Spartans can feel comfortable with the batch of new players that will be in East Lansing next fall. 

Here's a look at Michigan State's recruiting class of 2011.

Quarterbacks/Running Backs

Connor Cook (2 star, #82 QB): 6'4", 190 lbs., Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Cook has good size and is mobile outside the pocket, but his decision making during high school must improve in college. 

Onaje Miller (4 star, #27 RB): 5'10", 180 lbs., Lansing, MI

Scouts dub him as too much of a "dancer", but that's the only complaint they can find on Miller. He's got good size and speed, and is a reliable receiver out of the backfield. 

He'll join a solid running back stable at Michigan State.

Receivers

Juwan Caesar (3 star, #78 WR): 6'4", 190 lbs., Miami, FL

Big time combination of size and speed. Might not be an immediate impact, but Caeser certainly has the physical tools already in place.

Shilique Calhoun (3 star, #35 TE): 6"4, 230 lbs., Middletown, NJ

A receiving tight end, Calhoun also has the physical tools to be an impact player. Needs work in blocking, but most incoming freshman tight ends do.

Offensive Line

Fua Fonoti (3 star, OT): 6'5", 295 lbs., Cerritos JC

Dominate in junior college, Fonoti will have a step up on his classmates in terms of experience.

Donovan Clark (4 star, #13 OG): 6'4", 300 lbs. Cincinnati, OH

One of Michigan State's best recruits. Needs work in pass protection, but could be dominate in terms of run blocking.

Jack Allen, (3 star, #7 C): 6'2", 275 lbs. Hinsdale, IL

Fundamentally sound and aggressive, Allen is one of the better centers in this year's class. Good find for the Spartans.

Defensive Line

Brandon Clemons (3 star, #34 DT): 6'4", 265 lbs., Milford, PA

Explosive off the ball, but needs to improve his strength and size.

Matt Ramondo (3 star, #97 DT): 6'4", 285 lbs., Las Cruces, NM

Switched from Arizona State to Michigan State, and has the size to eventually work into a starters' role.

Damon Knox (3 star, #114 DE): 6'5", 265 lbs., Muskegon, MI

Strong defensive end but needs to be quicker off the ball to be a difference maker.

Mark Scarpinato (3 star, #74 DT): 6'3", 250 lbs., Milwaukee, WI

Too small at this point to make an impact. Needs to get into the weight room and under a college lifting program.

Joel Heath (4 star, #26 DE): 6'6", 250 lbs., Cincinnati, OH

Quick first step and athletic in getting to the quarterback. 

Lawrence Thomas (5 star, #7 DE): 6'4, 240 lbs., Detroit, MI

Clearly MSU's best prospect. Played linebacker in high school, but as he puts on weight, could transform into a dominant defensive end.

Linebackers

Ed Davis (3 star, #33 OLB): 6'3", 208 lbs, Detroit, MI

One of the better athletes in MSU's recruiting class. If he can put on weight and muscle, he'll be as athletic a linebacker as there is in the Big Ten.

Taiwan Jones (3 star, #57 OLB): 6'3", 205 lbs., New Baltimore, MI

Not nearly as athletic as Davis, and needs to put on just as much weight. Jones is a project player at this point.

Defensive Backs

Roger Williamson (3 star, #31 CB): 6'2", 180 lbs., Dayton, OH

Solid size and speed for the position. Williamson could also play safety or receiver.

Darrien Harris (3 star, #67 S): 6'1", 205 lbs., Hyattsville, MD

Played mostly linebacker in high school but excelled his senior year at safety.

Arjen Colquhoun (3 star, #61 S): 6'1", 180 lbs., Windsor, ON

Has run the 40-yard dash in under 4.4 seconds. Needs to put on weight, but the speed jumps out at you.

Trae Waynes (3 star, #73 CB): 6'0", 170 lbs., Kenosha, WI

Another blazer (4.33), but needs more work on the fundamentals of the position. Can't teach speed, however.

Andre Sims (3 star, #116 CB): 5'9", 170 lbs., Snellville, GA

A short cornerback that makes up for it with speed and aggression at the line of scrimmage. Might play receiver as well.

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