Four-star Michigan State DE commit to open recruitment following battery charge
Michigan State hoped to lock down a dynamic defensive end duo on National Signing Day.
The Spartans top two 2016 committed prospects were both four-star defensive ends that were expected to help Michigan State land its top recruiting class of the Mark Dantonio era.
But that didn’t happen.
Auston Robertson announced on Wednesday that he wouldn’t be signing with Michigan State following a misdemeanor battery charge in his hometown of Fort Wayne, Ind.
Michigan state is still my number one but I'm am re-opening my options.
— BigTicketRob6/21 (@auston_robertsn) February 3, 2016
The Detroit Free Press reported that Robertson was arrested Jan. 13 by Fort Wayne Police and charged with misdemeanor battery, according to Allen Superior Court 4 records.
Michigan State cannot comment on an unsigned prospect and will likely hold off on a decision with the pending charges.
It remains to be seen whether or not Michigan State will still honor Robertson’s scholarship. He committed to the Spartans over the summer and was called “potentially the most athletic prospect in the midwest,” according to Scout.com’s Allen Trieu.
Robertson is the ninth-rated defensive end prospect and is No. 101 overall in the 247sports composite rankings. He had offers from Ohio State and Alabama, as well.
Michigan State currently boasts the 20th-ranked class overall and the fourth-ranked class in the B1G.