Sparty Onlooker: 4-star DL Deron Irving-Bey reportedly will visit Michigan State; 2017 commit highlights

On the banks of the Red Cedar, recruiting never stops. We’re here every step of the way to keep you moving along with it.

“I think you hit the nail on the head there,” Flint (Mich.) Southwestern football coach Chane Clingman told me Tuesday.

I had been talking to him about 4-star lineman Deron Irving-Bey, a top 2017 target for both Michigan and Michigan State. I told him my impression that the senior understood the significance of his opportunity to get a college scholarship and that he didn’t take anything for granted, which led to that response.

“He’s just a great kid,” Clingman said of Irving-Bey. “He’s a kid that nothing’s been given to. He’s just matured over his four years, just through hard work, dedication and decent coaching. I guess all those things are coming together for him to kind of have some of the accolades that he’s received and opportunities.”

Irving-Bey did not hold a single offer when his junior season ended, but then they started pouring in. Michigan, Michigan State, Maryland, Syracuse and Tennessee have since distanced themselves from the rest.

Irving-Bey told 247Sports’ Sean Scherer he will visit Michigan State on Saturday for its game against Michigan, which makes sense, as it would be a great opportunity to see what could be his top two teams in action. Clingman could not confirm, and Irving-Bey did not respond when contacted.

In an interview with Land of 10, Irving-Bey said that he plays close attention to defensive line play during visits. That perspective can’t help the Spartans, who are a distant last in the Big Ten for sacks.

However, it would make sense for Irving-Bey to be unaffected by Michigan State’s play this year. He doesn’t take success lightly, as he hasn’t won much in his high school career.

Regardless which school he chooses, most important is the opportunity that college football provides. Coming from the inner city of Flint, chances of success were slim. You have to be thrilled for him no matter where he goes.

“It’s a great story,” Clingman said.

Those who will visit

Josiah Scott, 2017 cornerback commit, said he would not be able to make it up to East Lansing as originally planned this weekend, but another commit, Piqua (Ohio) linebacker Darien Clemons, tweeted that he’ll be in attendance.

EL this weekend ??

— Darien Clemons™ (@clemons_darien) October 24, 2016

That’s a good person to have around. Clemons is a leader in this recruiting class, as evidenced by his sticking up for fellow commit Hunter Rison after Rison made some comments that struck a nerve with Michigan fans and players.

He’ll have the opportunity to hang out with some uncommitted players, a pair of whom shared their intentions to visit this weekend. The first is in-state 2018 tight end Tyler Carter from Romulus Senior, and the second is 2018 Buford (Ga.) running back Christian Turner.

Michigan State this weekend ?? #GoGreen

— Christian Turner (@_ChrisTurner28) October 25, 2016

Turner, a 3-star prospect, holds offers from Louisville, Miami, N.C. State and Vanderbilt.

Those who won’t visit

Monday’s Sparty Onlooker notebook briefly discussed the impact of the Michigan state football playoffs on Saturday’s visitor list. Four-star juniors DeAndre Square and Kalon Gervin intended to make the trip, but now that Detroit powerhouse Cass Tech plays on Saturday afternoon, that doesn’t look possible for them or any of their teammates.

Detroit Country Day also plays on Saturday, ruling out any visit from 3-star linebacker Kolin Demens, who holds offers from both Michigan and Michigan State. Austin Brown, a 2019 quarterback from Detroit Catholic Central, will be in action as well. And if this game goes how most expect it will, Michigan State fans shouldn’t be too upset if some top recruits can’t see this game in person.

Outside of the state, a big visit has been canceled. Three-star defensive end Alex Reigelsperger told Land of 10 he won’t be in East Lansing this Saturday as he initially planned. Instead, the Huber Heights (Ohio) Wayne junior will head to Wisconsin to see the No. 11 Badgers take on No. 7 Nebraska.

Reigelsperger has now canceled two MSU visits. He had also planned to attend the Spartans’ game against Wisconsin but instead went to Tennessee on Sept. 24. This trip would have provided a good opportunity to talk to the coaches and express mutual interest, but now it looks like a potential offer will have to wait.

Running back pairing picks up offers

St. John’s College High School (Washington, D.C.) has a bevy of top college prospects to choose from, but on Michigan State’s trip to Maryland, the Spartans decided to offer a couple of youngsters.

Keilan Robinson and Joachim Bangda, both sophomore running backs at the prestigious D.C. private school, announced MSU offers Friday, a rare Friday on which they did not have a game.

Blessed?? to have received my second offer from Michigan state #B1G #spartans pic.twitter.com/6lhrMWJDHx

— Keilan Robinson (@krobb__) October 21, 2016

Robinson, a 5-foot-9 back, also holds an offer from Maryland. The 5-foot-10 Bangda had not previously held any offers before Michigan State.

Blessed and honored??to say I've received my first offer from Michigan state university?? #Spartans #big1G pic.twitter.com/xfL036H6Kz

— 2️⃣1️⃣SAVAGE?‼️ (@jbangda19) October 21, 2016

Per USA Today, both running backs have rushed for more than 100 yards in a game this season. At 6-2, St. John’s has only lost to IMG Academy (Fla.) and DeMatha (Md.), both of which are ranked in the top five nationally.

In focus: Michigan State commitment highlights

You don’t have to be done with 2016 to look forward to 2017. Check out some highlights from these senior Spartans commits.

1. Archbishop Moeller (Ohio) tight end Matt Dotson opened the scoring Friday with this touchdown grab.

2. The cameraman got a little faked out, but Ann Arbor (Mich.) Skyline receiver Hunter Rison made this touchdown grab in tight coverage.

3. This is just a taste of Walled Lake (Mich.) Western receiver Cody White‘s big day. Check out his Hudl page for the full highlights, plus some nice analysis from some dude in the crowd.

4. Lake Park (Ill.) defensive lineman Jacub Panasiuk has some wheels, and not just for a big fella.

5. Maybe next time, try blocking Massillon (Ohio) Perry lineman Matt Carrick. This was ferocious.

All highlights come from Hudl.

All ratings are from the 247Sports composite rankings unless otherwise noted.