Michigan State Spartans Pick Up Commitment from Ohio Safety A.J. Kirk

In a move that seemed to catch all the recruiting experts off guard, MSU received a surprising bit of good news on Tuesday night with the commitment of Ohio safety A.J. Kirk Jr. to the 2021 Class via Instagram.

Kirk hails from Ohio where he attends Archbishop Hoban High School. He is considered an “under the radar” recruit due in part to his apparent low profile on social media. He is currently rated as a three-star recruit by both 247Sports and Rivals.com, but his offer list and bloodline suggest that he might be a diamond in the rough.

According to Rivals.com, he holds offers from Kentucky, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Penn State, Ohio State, and Michigan. The majority of the Rivals Futurecasts predicted that Kirk would eventually commit to the Buckeyes. There are not many 5.5-rated three-star recruits with that type of resume.

Kirk also happens to be to the younger brother of former Buckeye defensive back Mike Doss. Doss was a three-time first-team All-Big Ten selection, a second-round NFL draft pick, and helped Ohio State to win the National Title in 2002 during his senior year. That Ohio State team just happened to have both Mark Dantonio (defensive coordinator) and Mel Tucker (defensive backs) on staff as well.

Kirk becomes the 16th member of the 2021 Spartan class and the fifth member listed as a defensive back. However at 6-foot-1 and 197 pounds, A.J. might have the frame to slide down to the linebacker level. If MSU does go in this direction, Kirk would be the first linebackers recruit in the 2021 class.