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Michigan State lands four-star Ohio safety Reggie Powers III

On3 imageby:Jason Killop•06/14/23•

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Reggie Powers
(Photo via Twitter, Reggie Powers)

Michigan State made waves on the recruiting trail going down into Dayton (Ohio) Centerville, landing four-star defensive back Reggie Powers over in-state Big Ten foe Ohio State. The trip to East Lansing was enough to shutdown the recruitment and cancel his Ohio State official visit.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound safety made his first visit to Michigan State over the weekend. Powers also officially visited Northwestern in early May. Powers was scheduled to visit the Buckeyes on June 23, cancelling the visit before his commitment. Pittsburgh and Cincinnati also made the four-star’s top schools list in May.

Michigan State secondary coach Harlon Barnett visited Dayton (Ohio) Centerville on May 1. He offered Powers after a team workout during the high school’s college showcase period. Barnett is Power’s primary recruiter, leading the charge for the Spartans.

“I think he saw my film and saw how aggressive I am,” Powers said. “He just wanted to see how I was in coverage. I think I did well in coverage that day. Just getting out of my cuts in drills, he just wanted to see that in person. He pulled the trigger so I appreciate that.”

On3.com rates the Ohio recruit significantly higher than other recruiting sites. Powers is rated a four-star, according to the On3 Rankings. He is also the No. 24 safety overall and the No. 12 player in Ohio.

The Spartans now hold four commitments in the 2024 class. Powers joins Mt. Pleasant (Mich.) High School three-star OL Andrew Dennis, three-star Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances Academy OL Logan Bennett, and three-star Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Riverdale CB Jaylen Thompson.

HOW DOES POWERS FIT?

Powers will have the ability to play safety or nickel at Michigan State. He joins cornerback commit Jaylen Thompson as the second defensive back in the Spartans’ 2024 recruiting class. The two will compete for a spot in a defensive back room containing six signees in the 2022 class and three in the 2023 class.

Powers is a willing tackler and a hard-hitting defensive back. He shows solid speed and very strong ball skills in his junior highlight tape.

Sophomores Jaden Mangham (6-2, 175) and Malik Spencer (6-1, 195) are frontrunners to see time at the safety position in the 2023 season. Redshirt freshman Malcolm Jones (6-1, 200), who will likely see time as a nickel, battled injuries during his freshman year. Former Cincinnati redshirt sophomore safety Armorion Smith (6-1, 205) transferred to Michigan State this offseason. Powers skill set and frame compares to current Spartan redshirt junior Darius Snow (6-1, 230).

WHO’S NEXT?

Additionally, Michigan State is trending to land Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day four-star RB Anthony Carrie following his official visits this weekend. The Spartans hold two expert predictions to land the 5-11, 195-pound running back. 

Michigan State also gained some momentum with Cincinnati (Ohio) Winton Woods three-star WR Tra’Mar Harris, who also visited this weekend.

Unranked Florida defensive back Camren Campbell called Michigan State his leader following an official visit on June 9. He has not planned his next official visits, but Ole Miss, Louisville, Minnesota, Kansas, and others have also offered. Campbell is aiming for a July decision.

Four-star targets OL Nathan Roy and LB Jeremiah Beasley will both be making their respective decisions at the end of this month. Michigan State battles UCLA and Minnesota for Roy, with UCLA having his brother Benjamin on the roster, a tough obstacle to overcome. He will decide on June 20. Beasley will decide between both in-state programs along with Illinois and Missouri on June 29. While UCLA and Michigan will each be tough to beat, the announcements will be worth tuning in for, as Michigan State has done their best to keep in the contested races.

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