Four-star receiver Scates decommits from MSU
East Lansing — Just two days after Michigan State landed a quarterback commit for its 2018 class it lost its top-rated pledge.
Four-star wide receiver Joseph Scates of Dayton (Ohio) Dunbar announced on Twitter Tuesday that he has re-opened his recruitment.
“I would like to thank coach Barnett and coach Dantonio and coach Samuel for giving me the opportunity (to) play at Michigan St., but after a long talk with my teammates, coaches, and family I’ve decided to back out of my pledge and open my recruitment back up.”
Scates, ranked the No. 23 receiver in the nation according to the composite rankings at 247sports.com, was referring to co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Harlon Barnett, head coach Mark Dantonio and wide receivers coach Terrence Samuel.
Scates received an offer from Alabama over the weekend but tweeted on Tuesday night it wasn’t the reason for his decommitment. Michigan State has three players committed to the 2018 class, including athlete Xavier Henderson and tight end Trenton Gillison — both four-star players from Pickerington (Ohio) Central — and three-star quarterback Theo Day of Dearborn Divine Child.
Michigan State is currently taking part in spring practice but has closed it to the media due to the ongoing investigation into sexual assault charges against three players that has led to their suspension, as well as staffer Curtis Blackwell.
Dantonio issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon saying, “When the time is appropriate, I will be able to answer questions regarding our program and discuss our team. At this point in time, we have to respect the process of the investigations for everyone involved.”
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