Notre Dame DE target Josh King commits to Michigan State

The top 2016 football recruit in Illinois plans to leave home for college, but it won't be for Notre Dame. Defensive end Josh King, a four-star prospect, announced his verbal commitment to Michigan State on Friday.

Notre Dame identified King as one of its top defensive end targets last June before his junior season at Darien (Ill.) Hinsdale South. He finished the year with 70 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss and five sacks.

The Irish remained in the hunt for King despite offers pouring in from across the country. In May, King announced Notre Dame, Michigan State, Penn State, Michigan and USC as his top five schools.

The Spartans won out on one of the top defensive linemen in the Midwest to extend their hot recruiting streak. Michigan State figures to be the favorite to land another Notre Dame defensive end target, Auston Robertson, when he announces his commitment Sunday.

Michigan State's 2016 recruiting class is ranked No. 7 in the country by Rivals and No. 8 by 247Sports.

Both 247Sports and Rivals slate King as a the No. 5 strongside defensive end in the 2016 class.

Yesss officially committed To MSU!!!! Let's Go Mann! 2016 Dream Team #GoGreenpic.twitter.com/CsZdfbtuHB

— MagicMan (@JoshuaKing_12) June 5, 2015