Michigan State has been hitting Illinois hard so far in the 2014 class, and that is only continuing in the spring evaluation period.
The Spartans offered Chicago St. Rita cornerback Lamar Dawson not too long and extended an offer to his teammate, athlete Tommy Mister, this week.
"I was just excited and shocked," Mister said. "I just feel like everything I've been working for is paying off."
Mister said he wasn't expecting the offer, especially after Dan Roushar left. Ron Burton soon took over and was at to St. Rita this week to see Mister and Dawson, and Mister was told he had options at MSU.
"They offered me as a running back or a quarterback," Mister said," and they want me to camp there and throw for them."
Even though he hasn't played a snap yet for St. Rita, Mister and Dawson have become a package deal in their recruitment -- and they talk about MSU.
"We've talked about visiting soon together, and we really want to play at the next level together," Mister said.
Mister said that he likes that the Spartans have been playing young players, as well as the man in charge.
"Coach Dantonio, he is the man," Mister said. "He's got that look to him that says, 'we're gonna kick your a**.' He reminds me of Tom Landry. I can go to war with him."
Mister has a top three of Iowa State, Indiana and Michigan State, in that order, and plans to make a decision on June 23.
In addition to MSU, Mister also was visited by Cincinnati, Cal, Vanderbilt and Missouri this week.
-- Massachusetts is far from a normal recruiting area for Michigan State, but the Spartans are in pursuit of a safety from the East Coast.
Everett standout Lubern Figaro recently gained an offer from Michigan State, which came out of leftfield for him.
"I wasn't really expecting it because I would never expect a big-time school like Michigan State to (offer)." Figaro said.
Figaro said he has been hearing from assistant coach Josh Rouse, who told Figaro to give him a call and then offered him.
"I was so excited and speechless," Figaro said.
Figaro, who holds offers from Boston College, UMass and UConn, said he is planning on visiting Michigan State, but doesn't know when yet. As for what he knows about the Spartans, he said it's all about the defense.
"Michigan State is one of the best defensive teams in the country and I like that," he said.
-- Michigan State hosted plenty of 2015 recruits for the spring game, including a big talent from a small school in St. Joseph.
Lake Michigan Catholic offensive tackle DeKurtis Murphy visited East Lansing last wee
"The game was really good. Both sides played well," Murphy said. "I was happy to see (Fou) Fonoti back because he is one of my favorite lineman. So, it was cool to see how he has come back and how he is playing ... it made me think that is how I want to play."
The 6-foot-5, 320-pound sophomore also took in more of what MSU has to offer.
Murphy also is hearing from Cincinnati, Toledo and Florida State.
-- 2015 Berrien Springs defensive back Deonte Campbell-Sims made his first visit to East Lansing for the spring game last Saturday.
"It was fun and I enjoyed the game," Campbell-Sims said. "I didn't go on the tour because we actually got up there a little late, but I talked to Coach Staten about what I need to work on to get there."
Campbell-Sims, who played linebacker last year at Berrien Springs but will play defensive back in college, was locked in the play of the MSU secondary.
"The teamwork and athletic ability of the defensive backs stood out to me, as well as the white team's helmets," he said.
Campbell-Sims camped and MSU last summer and is doing to a two-day camp this summer. He also will camp at Northwestern and Maryland.
More
Coaches, culture help MSU earn commitments from two Illinos stars (Detroit News) - Scout.com's Allen Trieu breaks down how the Spartans gained commitments from Brian Allen and Enoch Smith Jr.
New Offers (4/19/13-4/25/13)
2014
Athlete Tommy Mister, Chicago, Ill. (St. Rita)
Athlete/QB Will Ulmer, Washington, D.C. (St. John's College)
Defensive back Dravon Henry, Aliquippa, Pa. (Aliquippa Shs)
Wide receiver Malachi Dupre, New Orleans, La. (John Curtis)
2015
Offensive lineman George Brown Jr, Cincinnati, Ohio (Colerain)
Defensive end Ricky DeBerry, Richmond, Va. (St. Christopher's School)
Defensive tackle Elijay Taylor, Cincinnati, Ohio (Moeller)