Michigan State Secures Verbal from 2017 Ohio LB/RB Darien Clemons

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Michigan State’s hot momentum on the recruiting trail continued on Tuesday when the Spartans reached into Ohio receiving a verbal commitment from Darien Clemons.

Clemons was a versatile athlete for the Indians in 2015 playing outside linebacker and running back, playing both effectively. Stats on Clemons only run through seven games on defense, but through those seven contests he had 27 tackles, four tackles for a loss, two sacks, and at least one fumble recovery. Where MSU is recruiting the 6’1”, 214 pound, athlete to play is at linebacker but Clemons truly shined at running back rushing 1,164 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Recruiting efforts for Clemons has been mixed, but rest assured the Piqua area talent can play. Clemons has breakaway speed and drives through first contact for extra yards. Other teams to offer him included Eastern Michigan, Ball State, Central Michigan, Buffalo, Bowling Green, Miami (OH), Ohio, and Toledo.

Clemons got his first Big Ten offer from Rutgers on Feb. 21 after attending a Scarlet Knights Junior Day. The same visit followed by an offer scenario came with an East Lansing trip on April 23. Three days after the unofficial visit Clemons became the seventh member of the Spartans 2017 class.

The announcement went public Tuesday night via the following statement:

Michigan State now has seven verbal commitments to their 2017 class with all of the recruits capable of playing on the offensive side if needed. Clemons is the second Ohio native to join the class after guard Matt Carrick on April 20. Four of MSU’s seven commits have pledged to the Spartans during the month of April; Hunter Rison, Rocky Lombardi, Carrick, and Clemons.

Michigan State 2017 Verbal Commitment List (7)

DE/TE Jack Camper, 6-6, 230, IMG Academy, Bradenton, FL

LB/RB Darien Clemons, 6-1, 214, Piqua HS, Piqua, OH

OG Matt Carrick, 6-4, 275, Perry HS, Massillon, OH

OG Kevin Jarvis, 6-5, 330, Maine South HS, Park Ridge, IL

QB Rocky Lombardi, 6-4, 220, West Valley HS, Des Moines, IA

WR Hunter Rison, 5-11, 190, Skyline HS, Ann Arbor, MI

WR Cody White, 6-3, 190, Walled Lake Western HS, Walled Lake MI

 

Photo credit: dailycall.com; No. 44 Darien Clemons finds running room on the outside.