It’s no surprise to see high school football recruits make their college decisions this late in the academic year. Football players who want to enroll for the 2018-19 season have until April 1 to sign their national letter of intent.
Michigan State added another commitment to their incoming freshman class for next season, in the form of 3-star defensive tackle Dashaun Mallory (Bolingbrook, IL).
Welcome to the Spartan Family, @DashaunMallory! #Green18 #TheBestStartHere pic.twitter.com/xTT6oH2Flg
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) March 27, 2018
Congratulations Dashaun Mallory on signing your NLI to play for Michigan State. The wait is finally over! 🏈🏈🏈@BHSRaiders @DashaunMallory signing party will be April 18th at BHS…1:30pm -Small cafe pic.twitter.com/jtUb4Fz0sA
— John Ivlow (@CoachJohnnyi) March 27, 2018
Mallory (6-3, 310) is regarded as a top-15 player in the state of Illinois and the No. 61 player at his position, per the 247Sports Composite rankings. His signing comes a little over two months after making an official visit to East Lansing.
Michigan State first offered Mallory back in June of 2017 when he attended their elite camp, and he seemed keen on staying committed to the Spartans. However, MSU head coach Mark Dantonio wanted to make sure that Mallory’s grades were up to par, hence for the unusual, yet not completely uncommon, delay of signing.
An interior defensive lineman, Mallory reportedly impressed the Michigan State coaches with his ability to disrupt opposing offensive lines and pressure the quarterback. MSU publisher for 247Sports Jeremy Warnemuende believes Mallory could have that three-technique that resembles a former MSU pass-rushing great in Jerel Worthy.
2018 CLASS COUNTER: 21
The addition of Mallory now gives Michigan State a total of 21 recruits from the Class of 2018. Mallory is only the fourth defensive lineman that is part of this incoming freshman class and the first interior guy in the trenches.
MSU has lacked a bit over the last couple years when it comes to depth on the interior up front. Mallory figures to help with that, even if he goes the redshirt route in 2018, but most definitely long-term.
Michigan State will enter the 2018 season with, at least on paper, perhaps their best defensive tackle tandem in recent years in junior Mike Panasiuk and redshirt junior Raequan Williams, two players who have been stalwarts at their positions over the last two seasons. They also have another Chicago-area tackle in redshirt sophomore Naquan Jones as part of the rotation as well.
Michigan State will hold its annual spring game on April 7.
