Commitment Spotlight Series: 2019 Three-Star Athlete Alante Brown

Next up in our Commitment Spotlight Series is three-star athlete Alante Brown out of Chicago (Simeon). Brown verbally committed to the Michigan State Spartans in late June.

As always, the first question I like to ask recruits is, why Michigan State?

“I chose to commit to Michigan State because I know how it can affect my future and get me where I want to be,” Brown said. “Michigan State has always been my dream school and once that chance came upon me I had to take that opportunity.”

What is easy to tell is Brown’s passion and excitement for Michigan State. Those things are clear and constant when talking to him about the school. Which is, of course, exactly want you want out of a future Spartan.

Brown is a dual-threat quarterback at Simeon, and matchup nightmare for opposing high school defenses. MSU recruited him as an athlete, however, and many expect Brown to line up at wide receiver once he is on the practice field at the college level.

According to Brown, that is exactly where he will play.

“Yes it’s true,” Brown said when asked about playing receiver for the Spartans. “There are not that many challenges (to switching positions). Playing quarterback for so long and knowing coverages and length of routes, etc., it makes it pretty easy. Me having the ability to run and make moves on defenders allows for the switch to be easy.”

Brown definitely has confidence in his game, no matter what position he plays at. He’s fast (4.57 40-yard dash), shifty and has good vision. He also has a lot of faith in his catching ability as he makes the transition to a pass-catcher.

Additionally, he is willing to fight for the football. He’s not afraid to use his athleticism and go and high point the ball. But you don’t have to take my word for it, I’ll let Alante explain.

“The skill set that I’ll bring to the Spartans is my speed and quickness,” he said. “I know I can make anyone miss and I have great hands and will go get the ball.”

In terms of rankings, Brown is the No. 91 athlete in the nation and the No. 18 player in the state of Illinois, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. He also ranks nationally as the No. 1,020 player in the country. However, 247Sports itself ranks Brown much higher. He is listed as the No. 45 athlete, No. 9 player in the “Prairie State” and No. 529 overall.

Brown has garnered attention from several FBS schools. Missouri, Minnesota, New Mexico, Wyoming, Toledo, Western Michigan, Miami (OH), Central Michigan and several others have reached out to the Simeon star with scholarship offers.

Michigan State’s 2019 recruiting class currently consists of 16 players. Half of which are in-state recruits, while Brown and seven others will be coming from out of state.

MSU has built up a pretty nice pipeline with Chicago athletes, and the program has landed at least one recruit from the Windy City area in every recruiting class since 2013. So, why does Dantonio and the MSU program have such a strong relationship with Chicago kids?

“Being from Chicago, you already have a chip on your shoulder because everyone thinks this is a basketball state,” Brown said. “We just use that as motivation and let colleges know we can play at their school. Michigan State was just one of them schools to notice our working habits and ability to play.”

Of course, moving from one state to another and balancing athletics with a college course load is no easy task for a college freshman. What may make that transition a little bit easier for Brown is having a familiar face on campus.

Anthony Williams Jr., a three-star commit at the running back position, also hails from Chicago. Though they play at different schools, Williams and Brown are close, and have known each other for a long time.

“Ant (Williams) is my boy,” Brown said excitedly. “Being able to have somebody around that I’ve known for a long time will make me feel more comfortable going into MSU. We will push each other and help each other succeed.”

Brown also commented on the fact that all of the 2019 commits are close and have a great relationship with each other. This is a promising and talented group coming next year, so camaraderie will be important. He also noted that he has a great rapport with the coaching staff, and that he talks to them almost daily.

However, Brown does have some business to handle at the high school level before he joins the Spartans. Simeon has started its season, and Brown has some goals left to accomplish as he plays in final year in the high school ranks.

“My goal is to get my team as ready as I possibly can,” Brown said. “I want to make history in my school, that’s my main goal.

He also has goals — both individually and for the 2019 recruiting class — when he arrives in East Lansing, but he understands the value of hard work and knows nothing will be handed to him.

“Now when I get on campus, I hope to out-work anyone that is ahead of me,” he said. “I want to go out as the best class to come into MSU. I’m not expecting anything. Nothing is given. I will try to earn early playing time!”

Brown certainly has the passion, work ethic and abilities to wear the Spartan uniform. That is a given. He understands that everything is earned and he is willing to do what it takes to earn playing time and be a good teammate.

Of course, Brown will be paying close attention to the 2018 Spartans. The team returns a tremendous amount of talent, and is expected to compete for a Big Ten title. Brown knows the potential this squad possesses.

“I’m hyped to see them play! They know what they are capable of and so do we (as a recruiting class).”

Check out the electric plays and shiftiness Brown displays in his highlight tape below — and perhaps we will see some gadget plays out of Brown in the future with his ability to throw the football.