Spartan Pupdate is getting a coordinator

The biggest recruiting news for MSU is that the program will be adding a recruiting coordinator. I don't know the numbers, but almost all the top programs have a recruiting coordinator separate from a coach. Quarterbacks coach Brad Salem has been the recruiting coordinator in recent years. There have been reports that the director of Sound Mind Sound Body camp could be the hire, but Mark Dantonio wouldn't say when they would make the hire, nor who it would be.

Alabama basically has its own off-field recruiting staff, and so does Texas. These schools hire people as "Director of Player Personnel," and that could be the title of MSU's coordinator.

All things considered, MSU recruits pretty well as is, and we know the staff is great at finding diamonds in the rough. They've raised the talent floor, but they still have yet to really push up that ceiling. The hope is this new position will help them do that.

From DetNews:

"We're recruiting such younger players right now," Dantonio said. "We're on guys that are 10th-graders and that type of thing. (The coordinator) will have knowledge of who is coming and be able to stay abreast of the guys. We know who we're recruiting in 2014. But who are we recruiting in 2015, who are we starting to recruit in 2016, who is coming up from the little leagues? It's trying to formulate a plan as they come forward. We just need more manpower because the recruiting cycle has become so accelerated."

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Four-star DB Parrker Westphal becoming a real option for Michigan State (DetNews) - MSU is looking to add more from the Chicago area. Defensive back Parrker Westphal hasn't been on many visits this summer, but he has some pretty big offers. One place he knows he'll visit is MSU, and he said he may go up with MSU DT commit Enoch Smith Jr.

Michigan State looking closely at Midwest offensive tackles (Freep) - MSU stills wants at least two more offensive linemen in the class of 2014, and Lukayas McNeil of Indiana and Nick Padla of Berrien Springs could receive offers soon. If not, the staff will evaluate them in the fall, during their senior years.

Padla told Scout that MSU coaches want to see tape of his first scrimmage and first game. He said if he gets an MSU offer, he may commit right there.

Spartans in top 5 for 4-star LB (Rivals) - Linebacker Jimmie Swain of Missouri has listed MSU, Michigan, TCU, Stanford and Oregon as his top five, but it doesn't appear he plans on committing soon. It sounds like he'll try to take visits in the fall.

"I really like the Spartans and everything about the strength and conditioning program as well as Coach Dantonio's coaching style," he said. "I also like the family atmosphere the team has. I love how they have a reputation for great defense! I just always liked Michigan State for a long time, even before I even knew I had a chance to play college football.

Spartans top targets (Scout) - Four Chicago-area prospects who could end up at MSU, including Westphal and running back Chris James.

Ohio-Michigan Border Classic set (Scout) - With Ohio no longer part of the Big 33 game, Michigan and Ohio high schoolers will compete in an All-Star game beginning next summer.

Perry on Michigan State's radar (Scout) - From our buddy Mike Wilson. 2015 Brother Rice receiver Grant Perry is interested in MSU, and his relationship with incoming freshman linebacker Jon Reschke helps.

Football class of 2015 looking strong in Michigan (Freep) - Six players from the state of Michigan who could be blue-chip prospects.