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Mel Tucker talks about Michigan State’s 2021 recruiting class
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Despite a 2-5 season, Mel Tucker was able to parlay his first season as head coach of Michigan State into a relatively solid recruiting class. But it was lacking the big names, who have yet to sign.
Wednesday’s Early Signing Period saw the Spartans cobble together the No. 43 recruiting class in the nation per 247Sports. But without a pair of four-star players, it feels like an incomplete class as of now.
Yet to sign are four-star defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny, four-star running back Audric Estime and three-star offensive tackle Geno VanDeMark. Estime might be one to watch here for the Spartans as he recently was offered by Notre Dame within the past week and could be poised to flip.
Benny and Estime are the only current four-star recruits in Tucker’s first-full class in East Lansing.
Here is what Tucker said about his class:
Mel Tucker says MSU adopted “an NFL approach to recruiting.” Says portal “demands a new approach” and created a college scouting department for that and a high school department. College department’s job “doesn’t end today” because less paperwork needed for transfers vs. HS LOI.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 16, 2020
Tucker: “We recruit to a specific size model.” And @colton_pouncy shivers with glee.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 16, 2020
Tucker reiterates he can only talk about players who have signed. “Recruiting never stops. It’s perpetual motion. It goes on forever.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 16, 2020
Favorite description from Mel Tucker so far is of DT Derrick Harmon: “He’s a large human being.” He’s 6-6, 350 per MSU and occupies “four hands” from blockers, Tucker said.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 16, 2020
Tucker says he does not simply recruit off of rankings. “Just have to trust the tape, trust my eyes, know what a good player is, and know what we’re looking for.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 16, 2020
Adds that OL Brandon Baldwin will have four years of eligibility despite coming in from juco. https://t.co/wEt6vhDJ7i
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 16, 2020
Tucker on constant texting and messaging with prospects: “If you’re not talking to them, someone else is.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 16, 2020
Tucker says he has a good idea of how many guys will end up signing but doesn't want that out there. "We know exactly where we want to go and how to get there."
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) December 16, 2020
Mel Tucker's favorite phrase today: "Recruiting never stops." That applies, of course, to this class as well as the next couple of years
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) December 16, 2020
Tucker talking about their process of evaluation: "I won't recruit off the rankings. … I know a good player when I see one and know what we're looking for."
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) December 16, 2020
Tucker says the class is not done and there will be more announcements today and leading into February
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) December 16, 2020
Mel Tucker meeting with media now. Mentioning how the transfer portal has changed recruiting. MSU has developed a scouting department like those in NFL. One group scouts prep talent, another group scouts transfers
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) December 16, 2020