Michigan State coach Tom Izzo burning up recruiting trails; Jahlil Okafor and Cliff Alexander among stops

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo has been hot on the recruiting trail after the best players in the Class of 2014.

EAST LANSING — Michigan State coach Tom Izzo is mixing it up on the recruiting trails with his fellow future hall of fame coaches, wedging his way into the battle for the services of the best prospect in the Class of 2014, Jahlil Okafor.

According to a Chicago Sun-Times Season Pass story, Izzo made an in-home visit to the Okafors last week, as did Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski and Kansas coach Bill Self.

Baylor and Ohio State also made in-home visits.

Izzo also went to see Chicago Curie center Cliff Alexander, Okafor's teammate on the Mac Irvin Fire AAU team.

Other schools who had in-home visits with Alexander included Kentucky, Illinois and Kansas.

Okafor is already a package deal with point guard Tyus Jones (Apple Valley, Minn.), another top-five player in the Class of 2014.

There's a possibility that Alexander, also ranked in the top five, could become a part of that Oakafor-Jones package.

The Spartans will lose Adreian Payne after this season, along with point guard Keith Appling, shooting guard Gary Harris and possibly small forward Branden Dawson.

But with rising sophomore post Matt Costello, rising sophomore Denzel Valentine and rising junior Travis Trice, there's plenty of talent left to recruit around.

As for the Okafors, they are getting on a first-name basis with the best programs in the nation.

"He’s been pretty familiar with all of [the coaches] for a while now,’’ Chuck Okafor, father of Jahlil, told the Chicago Sun-Times. ‘‘But I think coach Self made a good impression sitting there talking with him.

‘‘Anything is possible,’’ Chuck Okafor said. ‘‘We haven’t really spoken at length about that, but you know how boys are: They talk about a lot of stuff. I don’t think it’s anything major right now. But Cliff would be a great addition to any college.’’

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