Football 'Crootin Roundup is moving on

So, might as well get this out of the way.

2014 Grand Rapids Christian wide receiver Drake Harris decommitted from MSU and fully reopened his commitment. To many -- including the MSU staff -- Harris had decommitted in January when he decided not to play basketball at the next level.

This time, it was just a formality. He hasn't ruled out MSU, necessarily, but don't hold out hope. It's time to move on.

What does this mean? Michigan State is off to a great start in 2014 with linebackers Byron Bullough and Deon Drake, with offers out to plenty of solid 2014 players -- more than enough to build a great class.

The Spartans sit well with Galion (Ohio) wide receiver Dareian Watkins, who will make a decision by May 1. They also are near the top for Indanapolis Pike's Dominique Booth and Springfield (Ohio) prospect Thaddeus Snodgrass.

On top of that, Michigan State offered a pair of wide receivers and there are plenty of prospects still on the horizon for MSU still. The world didn't end, and neither did Michigan State recruiting.

4-star wide receiver eyes MSU visit (247) - Indianapolis Pike's Dominique Booth took his first college visit to MSU and the Spartans also were his first offer. While he has added many more since then, the Spartans remain in the hunt. Booth is visit MSU next weekend and is looking to visit a bevy of schools during his spring break.

Roberts visits MSU, adds offer (Rivals) - Carmel (Ind.) wide receiver Austin Roberts hitched a ride to East Lansing with his dad -- the tight ends coach for the Indianapolis Colts who was in town for the pro day (here's looking at you, Dion Sims). Roberts has an impressive offer list, but also came away impressed with the MSU campus.

Wilson visits East Lansing (Scout) - Detroit Country Day running back Richard Wilson is a target the Spartans have been in contact with, but haven't offered -- yet. MSU wants him to come to camp this summer first, likely to prove he has the speed to play in the Big Ten (no pun intended). With the Spartans seemingly not likely to land any of the five running backs they have offered to date, Wilson is a player to watch.

Spartans offer Illinois OT (Scout) - With offensive line a big need for the class of 2013, MSU is getting offers out to solid offensive tackle prospects. The latest is St. Charles North (Illinois) junior Chase Gianacakos. He has visited MSU previously and is looking to attend a spring practice this month.

Chicago DT has a Spartan offer (Rivals) - Mount Carmel defensive tackle Enoch Smith Jr. is a big-time prospect and now has an MSU offer on his list. He was in attendance for the Spartans' win in basketball against Michigan in February and by all accounts had a good visit.

Slayton sees first BCS offer (247) - Crete (Ill.) Monee defensive end Chris Slayton has a few MAC offers, and MSU became his first major offer this week. Crete Monee is a powerhouse, also with MSU linebacker target Nyles Morgan. (Sensing a pattern ... MSU is hitting Illinois hard.)

Q & A

Which 2014 QB recruit has the best chance to end up at MSU? - @spartanforever1

This is a hot question right now -- a similar one was asked in last week's roundup. I imagine it will be on the mind's of Spartans fans until one is added to the class.

What we know now is Chris Durkin will visit MSU in two weekend and Northwestern the following one -- his rumored top two. It is possible he won't want to commit on the spot, as he has the visit to Evanston scheduled. It also is possible the staff wouldn't accept his commitment at that time.

Why is that? Well, the player I believe is at the top of the staff's board is Michael O'Connor. O'Connor is looking to visit in the next month or so, according to 247sports. O'Connor left the camp last summer with an offer after being viewed as the best QB prospect in attendance, and I imagine that hasn't changed. I think the staff will want to wait until he visits, something I asked Spartan Tailgate analyst Sean Scherer, and he concurred.

DeShone Kizer has MSU in his final six, but recent offers from Alabama and LSU could stretch out his timeline -- he initially wanted to make a decision by summer.

It appears Caleb Henderson is all but out of the picture.

If I had to rank them in order of likelihood: O'Connor, Durkin, Kizer and Henderson.

What's the latest with T.J. Harrell? - @crazynick15

Not much has been heard from Florida athlete T.J. Harrell in a while, other than more offers coming in (Louisville, Kentucky and West Virginia, among others). Harrell has talked a lot about the Spartans in the past, and according to 247sports, he still does. He also talks to MSU secondary coach Harlon Barnett on the phone two-three times per week. The Spartans appear to be sitting well with Harrell, now they just need to get him on campus.

New Offers (3/8/13-3/14/13)

2014

Wide receiver Ryan Sousa, Orlando, Fla. (Lake Nona)

Wide receiver Austin Roberts, Carmel, Ind. (Carmel)

Offensive tackle Chase Gianacakos, Saint Charles, Ill. (St Charles North)

Defensive tackle Nyquan Harris, Norfolk, Va. (Lake Taylor)

Defensive end Chris Slayton, Crete, Ill. (Crete-Monee)

Athlete Noah Brown, Sparta, N.J. (Pope John XXIII)

2015

Athlete Tim Irvin, Miami, Fla. (Westminster Christian School)