Every reputable high school football ratings site is in agreement: MSU has one of the top Big Ten recruiting classes of 2009. Although recruiting professionals are reporting that superlative athletes are destined for MSU, those rankings don’t necessarily correlate with on-field success. Conversely, there are low-ranked prospects who will achieve unexpected success in college. At MSU, the best players from this season’s graduating class weren’t necessarily the most highly touted high school seniors. Here’s a look at how some of MSU’s graduating seniors were ranked.
— Jacob Carpenter, The State News
Star system not always accurate
Rivals: 4 stars
Scout: 3 stars
MSU notes: Holmes was a high school running back who played fullback, tight end and defensive end at MSU. Although he never lived up to his ranking, Holmes has been a pleasant surprise at defensive end in 2008.
Quarterback Brian Hoyer
Rivals: 3 stars
Scout: 3 stars
MSU notes: MSU’s two-year starter has been on target with his rankings when it comes to statistics but has surpassed projections as a winning quarterback with two bowl appearances.
Defensive tackle Justin Kershaw
Rivals: 2 stars
Scout: 2 stars
MSU notes: Spurned by his hometown Ohio State Buckeyes, the Columbus native has exceeded expectations at MSU. He has been a three-year starter on the defensive line and brought great character to the team as a captain.
Offensive lineman Roland Martin
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Rivals: 4 stars
Scout: 4 stars
MSU notes: The jewel of MSU’s class of 2004 has lived up to his billing as a three-year starter who has played nearly 40 games in his career.
Offensive lineman Jesse Miller
Rivals: 2 stars
Scout: 1 star
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MSU notes: More than perhaps any other Spartan, Miller blew past experts’ expectations by starting at right tackle for three seasons with Martin by his side.
Running back Javon Ringer
Rivals: 3 stars
Scout: 4 stars
MSU notes: If there was a sixth star in recruit rankings, Ringer should have gotten it. One of the top prospects for MSU’s class of 2005 more than lived up to expectations as one of the greatest running backs in program history.
Strong safety Otis Wiley
Rivals: 3 stars
Scout: 3 stars
MSU notes: Wiley sandwiched two superb seasons with a poor junior year but has surpassed his ranking because of his senior leadership on a stellar MSU defense this season.
