Just to counter the UM one, this will probably be the shortest thread ever.

Thomas going and Ringer staying, not really a surprise. I see Devin going mid-2nd round. If he gets a 4.4 at the combine that could work in the first with his size. His hands are too much that classic MSU - WOW! WOW, seriously!?!? Which could hurt him.

Jason Diehl's leg is supposed to be getting better, so he may participate in spring practice. He will need to spend a ton of time to get back to football power, so who knows how big that is, he was out for like 1 1/2 years.

Arthur Ray Jr. is supposed to be at least moving towards the football field, but his health is the obvious #1 concern, you don't fuck with cancer.

I think I remember saying I thought Coach D was going to be a good coach, but would struggle recruiting because of his personality. I had heard that he is not the most personal guy and it can turn recruits off.

Yeah tell me about cancer. I just had my 1 year anniversary from the 6 1/2 hour surgery to remove the cancer from my throat. 6 weeks with a trach is a bitch.

Congrats on the year, Art.

Good thread, DSC.

With Jehuu leaving, that should open up more carries for Jimmerson, who looked promising in the past. But he's more like Ringer, correct? Who's next in line to punch it in?
Dell and Smith show next season? Offense could still be potent.
Defensively what is in line to replace guys like Saint-Dic? What's the status of other players that were suspended for the bowl game?
I have no idea what eligibility is left for Wiley, Warrick, Adams, etc.

I never followed college football much but its been going up through the last year. I'll definitely be checking this thread regularly. Good idea dsc.

With Jehuu leaving, that should open up more carries for Jimmerson, who looked promising in the past. But he's more like Ringer, correct? Who's next in line to punch it in?
Dell and Smith show next season? Offense could still be potent.
Defensively what is in line to replace guys like Saint-Dic? What's the status of other players that were suspended for the bowl game?
I have no idea what eligibility is left for Wiley, Warrick, Adams, etc.

Warrick and Adams are graduating but Wiley is a senior this next year.

Legget is the 'big back' that we are going to be using next year. He is 230-ish.

Dell, Smith, and the potential surprise guy is Cunningham, who MD says wouldn't have RSed if it wasn't for an early injury.

How good will Hoyer be next year?

18 TD's 7 INT's this year, and had 2500 yards. But then he fucked up the bowl game, and is now losing Thomas and Freeman-Davis.

We should have one of the top B10 QB's next year, as in probably the best after Boeckman. But at the same time, he never has really instilled confidence. Could Thomas have been Hoyer's Braylon? So he gets worse rather than better?

DSC:

Serious question here. I know the Sparties need hope for their football team. But how are we supposed to get excited over Dantonio at this point? Right now MSU recruiting is ranked 55th in the country, and in the Big Ten, they only outrank Northworstern. How, HOW is he making them better?

My general rule is that Rivals has better Football ranking and Scout better BBall, so I'm considering MSU 7th in the B10, and has some upward potential(we still have 7-8 spots).

Trust in MD's ability to spot talent and finish is required, but I'm questioning a couple things. He turned down Darius Darks and Morgan Carter because of Trawick filling the safety spot. But I'm not convinced that Trawick(or Carter) will stay at safety. And why not get an extra DB this year, pick up a talented guy at a position you are deep at before some POS at a position of need. A POS is a POS, you can put a talented guy out of position and he will be a POS at that position, but good at his real position. A POS guy sucks at every position.

I'm pumped about Winston and Martin as guys who could overperform their rank by a lot. But I don't like the Miles White pickup much, if we put the full court on Brandon Green or MarQueis Gray(4 star WR and 4 star QB) they would likely have come, definitely in Gray's case. But we passed because we 'weren't signing a QB', and Green had a friend get in at Minny. People have said grades too. But too the F bad, if they qualify it is great for us, and if they don't, it helped our recruiting ranking and we pull them out of Prep like the SEC. MD also said he 'wouldn't recruit committed kids' to Jonas Gray. That is retarded if true. I'm hoping it was a slowplay in order to focus on Ingram, but how can MSU 'pass' on a top 100 kid.

MD has been passing on too many talented(based on offers and ranking) kids, he better be good as hell at evaluating talent. But at the same time, he picked up Eric Smith from Harvard and Smith was a 3rd rounder, and we had a ton of help from the frosh this year.

See, his "we're not signing a ___" attitude will kill him. Look at the top teams in football and they sign studs each year at every position. Seriously, why would Sanchez, Booty and Mustain all want to go to USC? Because they know that after Palmer comes Leinart, followed by Booty and so on. They'll try to pump out Heisman candidates at skill positions every year if they can.
How can MD feel content at ANY position unless he has 3 true freshman studs lined up in depth there. And he doesn't have that anywhere.

I wonder if there may be an attitude at MSU that they will build with the not so well known players by coaching them up and getting them to stay four or five years. I also wonder how many true Five stars UM even tries hard to get.

The tough thing is you're losing Saint Dic, Caulcrick, Thomas, Davis, Adams and Warrick and replacing them with these guys. It would be one thing if you were replacing marginal talent with marginal talent, but you're not.

I disagree - Adams and Warrick were average B10 players at best. Add in St. Dic(and Baldwin who you forgot) - We have Trevor Anderson who was All Conference in the Big East and would likely have started this year. Brandon Long should be a good starter next year too, but that isn't MD's recruit - we have Ish Johnson and Michael Jordan who MD has brought in. I am really comfortable at that position. Caulcrick should be well replaced by Leggett, and Ingram looks like a full time kid if we can sign him(a mix of both Ringer and Caulcrick). Devin Thomas - Fred Smith and BJ Cunningham.

MD has been pretty good at getting replacements. TE is a question mark for next year though.

My worry lies less in replacements, but more with improvement - we seem to be trying to fill in spots rather than swapping a Diego Oquendo spot for a Devin Thomas type kid.

Well, that attitude is what UM hoops fans are trying to buy into, so I understand the logic. There SHOULD be enough talent in this region to make it work.

However, in order to do that they would need to get the MAJORITY of the regional players not going to UM.
So that means in a group of guys like Jonas Gray, Deon'tae Pannell, Mark Ingram, Sam Gaymon, Jonathon Dandridge, Sean Hooey, Corey Johnson, etc - they need to be getting most of those guys. He has 8 top 25 guys from the state. That needs to be 10-15, especially since UM generally only targets 10. MD also needs to take advantage of his old recruiting area and pick up more Ohio recruits. Finally, any coach that wants to be successful in recruiting needs to build a base to bring in a handful of Florida, Texas, and/or California kids each year.
Not recruiting talented guys because of existing players are excuses that will kill your efforts.

See, his "we're not signing a ___" attitude will kill him. Look at the top teams in football and they sign studs each year at every position. Seriously, why would Sanchez, Booty and Mustain all want to go to USC? Because they know that after Palmer comes Leinart, followed by Booty and so on. They'll try to pump out Heisman candidates at skill positions every year if they can.
How can MD feel content at ANY position unless he has 3 true freshman studs lined up in depth there. And he doesn't have that anywhere.

Fully agree.

Don 't forget about Corp and others at USC either. I don't see how MD can pass on a Rivals250 QB like Gray, even if there were 'concerns' about his grades. If he qualifies, you have a STUD. Even if Foles or Cousins are clearly better overall, you can use Gray in a Tebow of last year role. A RB who can pass on occasion.

I'm contacting every kid in the Rivals250(at least those who I think deserve it, but that should be almost all of them) and checking and double checking if they have interest in MSU. At least this should increase the amount of kids you send to the NFL, which means you are getting more Pub which will help recruiting.

I think part of the reason that MD is doing this is in order to get rid of the discontent and doubt that has plagued MSU in the past. But sorry, his job is to win FB games, not make every kid happy or to be moral guidance(not recruiting other commits).

Well, that attitude is what UM hoops fans are trying to buy into, so I understand the logic. There SHOULD be enough talent in this region to make it work.

However, in order to do that they would need to get the MAJORITY of the regional players not going to UM.
So that means in a group of guys like Jonas Gray, Deon'tae Pannell, Mark Ingram, Sam Gaymon, Jonathon Dandridge, Sean Hooey, Corey Johnson, etc - they need to be getting most of those guys. He has 8 top 25 guys from the state. That needs to be 10-15, especially since UM generally only targets 10. MD also needs to take advantage of his old recruiting area and pick up more Ohio recruits. Finally, any coach that wants to be successful in recruiting needs to build a base to bring in a handful of Florida, Texas, and/or California kids each year.
Not recruiting talented guys because of existing players are excuses that will kill your efforts.

I think MD's plan for each year is something like:
10 Michigan
5 Ohio
2 Illinois
2 Pennsylvania
2 Texas
2 'Other south'
2 JuCo/Prep/whatever

I don't think MD has been overlooking Texas or Ohio, Illinois has been kicking our ass in Ohio, and we have been working hard in Texas(Darks wanted to commit, but MD wouldn't let him (WTF), Smith, Haynes, quite a few other kids had some interest). So that hasn't helped.

Well, here's the deal. Every recruiting class eventually catches up with you. True freshmen aren't often expected to see much time, so generally you have other replacements in place. But right now you're replacing John L Smith players with John L Smith players. His recruiting efforts were ok.
But you can't ignore the fact that recruiting classes are getting progressively worse. It shows as those classes become upperclassmen.
2004 class was 13th in the country.
2005 = 40th
2006 = 43rd
2007 = 51st
2008 = 55th so far
Do you see a trend going in the wrong direction?
Unless MD is a coaching genius and the 54 teams ahead of him are run by fools, it's going to be difficult to "coach them up" to consistently bowl-eligible, let alone more than that.

Bottom line: if MD doesn't start recruiting better his own classes will catch up with him, his record will drop, and he'll be fired with the cupboard completely bare.

I wonder if there may be an attitude at MSU that they will build with the not so well known players by coaching them up and getting them to stay four or five years. I also wonder how many true Five stars UM even tries hard to get.

I think that is what MD is working with, but Zook has proven that talent is more important than coaching ability.

Well, here's the deal. Every recruiting class eventually catches up with you. True freshmen aren't often expected to see much time, so generally you have other replacements in place. But right now you're replacing John L Smith players with John L Smith players. His recruiting efforts were ok.
But you can't ignore the fact that recruiting classes are getting progressively worse. It shows as those classes become upperclassmen.
2004 class was 13th in the country.
2005 = 40th
2006 = 43rd
2007 = 51st
2008 = 55th so far
Do you see a trend going in the wrong direction?
Unless MD is a coaching genius and the 54 teams ahead of him are run by fools, it's going to be difficult to "coach them up" to consistently bowl-eligible, let alone more than that.

Bottom line: if MD doesn't start recruiting better his own classes will catch up with him, his record will drop, and he'll be fired with the cupboard completely bare.

MD's freshman class last year outperformed the classes before that. And the 2004 class had no resemblance to the original 13th in the nation class - about 70% of that class left quickly.

We are also signing quite a few kids still, so I expect to end up in the lower 40's on scout and 30's on Rivals. Which isn't a downward spiral.

To remind you - the kids who left include was Thomas, Caulcrick, Freeman-Davis, Masters, Clifford, Shane, Adams, St. Dic, Baldwin, Thornhill, Warrick, Key, Nwagbou, Tabatchnik, Gventai, and Love.

That is 2 walk-ons(Tab and Key)
A host of Juco's(Nwagbou, Thomas, Warrick, St. Dic, Baldwin, Shane)
And a few 4 year kids - Adams, Thornhill, Gventai, Clifford, Masters, Caulcrick, and Love.

We only had 5 of the 2003 class left, and not too much of the 2004 class. So, MD only needs that mid-40's to 'maintain', and he wants us to believe that he can find kids better than JLS. So, theoretically, we should improve from 7-6, which would allow us to recruit better, and so on.

It just doesn't allow for a lot of wiggle room.

MD's recruit evaluation has impressed me - Rucker, Wilson, and Jones all clearly overperformed relative to ranking at this point. And many of the 'sleepers' he has went after ended up with top end interest(DJ Grant - no name 2 star when he got his MSU offer this fall, ended up with Oklahoma, Texas, and many others and is a Rivals250 kid).

I'm hopeful about MD, however I do have some problems with how he seems to be operating.

I can't see MD getting fired unless he completely tanks. I've got to believe he has been guaranteed a spot in East Lansing for as long as is reasonable. MSU and their fans have got to be sick of the revolving door.
Now if he starts flailing away, then maybe.
I don't see Dantonio backing down on his standards, though, just to get a few more wins. I think in the long run, if he continues going 8-4 or 7-5 and getting to bowl games, he's got a job. Reasonable expectations.

By the way, nice job keeping this thread alive so that it doesn't become "one of the shortest ever".

Hopefully you see my comments as constructive and not as basking in the light of a struggling program.

You think MD's job would survive back-to-back seasons without 6 wins? Who knows if that will happen, but I'm guessing it wouldn't sit well for his bosses.

Frankly, I think MD is a good coach and I was one of the first to congratulate MSU for their hire. But if he struggles and guys like Brian Kelly are out there looking for their next step up, it would be hard to sit in the AD's office and not want to make a switch.

I don't think he'd get fired either. I think they stay the course.

You think MD's job would survive back-to-back seasons without 6 wins? Who knows if that will happen, but I'm guessing it wouldn't sit well for his bosses.

Frankly, I think MD is a good coach and I was one of the first to congratulate MSU for their hire. But if he struggles and guys like Brian Kelly are out there looking for their next step up, it would be hard to sit in the AD's office and not want to make a switch.

I don't see MD at that point. I think that if he underperforms he will still be pretty safe for about 5 years, where 6-6/7-5 will be normal. I don't think he will screw things up to JLS proportions. MD is a low risk coach. If he gets fired, I think it will be due to staying right on that 'barely bowl eligible' border, and people will lose patience.

I hope/kind of expect him to stabalize and improve the program so that 8-4 is about average, a 4 year cycle something like - Champs, Outback, Citrus/Rose, Insight - occurring.

By the way, nice job keeping this thread alive so that it doesn't become "one of the shortest ever".

Agreed. It's nice to have Spartan fans that can discuss these things rationally.

This just might be the most popular thread of the day so far - easily the most popular in this forum, all on the same day that Terrelle Pryor is in Ann Arbor.
Way to steal the thunder. That's how dynasties are built!

This just might be the most popular thread of the day so far - easily the most popular in this forum, all on the same day that Terrelle Pryor is in Ann Arbor.
Way to steal the thunder. That's how dynasties are built!

Obviously.

We'll probably get a couple 3 stars this weekend.

2 3 stars >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 1 #1 kid in the country.

Obviously.

We'll probably get a couple 3 stars this weekend.

2 3 stars >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 1 #1 kid in the country.
lol

I don't see MD at that point. I think that if he underperforms he will still be pretty safe for about 5 years, where 6-6/7-5 will be normal. I don't think he will screw things up to JLS proportions. MD is a low risk coach. If he gets fired, I think it will be due to staying right on that 'barely bowl eligible' border, and people will lose patience.

I hope/kind of expect him to stabalize and improve the program so that 8-4 is about average, a 4 year cycle something like - Champs, Outback, Citrus/Rose, Insight - occurring.

Thats what originally wrote and edited it out for some reason.

If MSU sees MD as a guy that can produce .500 seasons or slightly better, they keep him over a couple of rough seasons early on. Its way better than having a Saban that bails on you.

Then he becomes Tommy Amaker. Consistent mediocrity. That's all well and good, but you better hope you don't miss out on a better coach along the line because you're content to be mediocre.
I'm telling you, Brian Kelly will jump within two seasons. Getting him in EL would be huge. Otherwise, someone like Iowa or Tennessee or someone along those lines might get him instead.

Tommy A never made the tourney. And Pre-Tommy A BBall > JLS/Bobby W MSU FBall.

And, once again, I see MD getting MSU to be consistently 8-4ish, so a PSU/Wiscy level team, which would both be an improvement and allow us to take another step at a future point in time. If he stays at a 6-6/7-5 range, he will be mediocre, but will likely take 4-5 years to be forced out. And by the Kelly will be long gone, but there will be the new 'hot' candidate. The frustrating history is that we passed over Urban Meyer and Les Miles. As in Meyer actually tried real hard to come, but we turned him down. WTF? (not that he wouldn't have pulled a Saban, but look at BGSU and Utah, they moved up a grade after he left relative to before him, opposite Saban).

Consistent 8-4. Hmmmmm. I don;t think that's unreasonable, but it is a few years away, and lemme tell you why. He has to be a coach that can get the MOST out of the kids he's bringing in, and hopefully he brings kids in that are hungry enough to work their butts off. But that takes a couple years, and here we have MSU in a cycle where they are going to lose prominent players two years in a row (next year no Hoyer, Ringer, etc). So, does Dantonio gamble and play alot of youngsters this year (Foles included), or does he go with who he has all the way to get the best season he can and make it back to a bowl game. I guess that would depend on how the season progresses.
Anyway, he loses a starting QB and a running back after next season (and a few others, I'm sure). Is it back to square one in '09 with a younger team?
Boy, tough position. He needs to learn a trick or two from the Zooker. He NEEDS some impact freshman, especially skill playaz. I just can't see them on this path and doing anything other than a four year cycle of miss/insight.com/Meineke Car Care/Capital One

Considering we lose next to no one off the D next year, I would assume that we depend on the D that year.

Here's a name for ya DSC: Keanon Cooper. This kid is all the sudden being shunned by everyone. According to Scout, #37 rated safety, three star, in the 5'10-6' range, and runs a 4.5 forty.
He comes to mind because it seems UM has been hot and cold with him, and he seems to feel like he will have to go to Minnesota because no one else wants him.
What do you do if you're Dantonio: take a flyer on this kid? Why not?

Here's a name for ya DSC: Keanon Cooper. This kid is all the sudden being shunned by everyone. According to Scout, #37 rated safety, three star, in the 5'10-6' range, and runs a 4.5 forty.
He comes to mind because it seems UM has been hot and cold with him, and he seems to feel like he will have to go to Minnesota because no one else wants him.
What do you do if you're Dantonio: take a flyer on this kid? Why not?

If I'm Dantonio I already signed Morgan Carter(or Ed Imeokparia) and Darius Darks, so no, I don't need 5 safeties in the same class. I might look at him for a free safety though, and consider at least one of Carter and Trawick an OLB, so then I could buy in. However, if I am looking at things right now - yup I'll take him. He has pretty dang good film, is fast and can wrap up.

I'd take a flier on him no matter how many safeties I already have. You never know if someone is going to fizzle out or not. If you've got a chance at a 3 star guy, you might as well grab him and see what he can do. It seems like grabbing as many good players as you can would be a priority, then let them figure out on the practice field who gets to play.

Ok, Tre just called me wondering if I knew anything. He claims Hondo (apparently a Sparty on either scout or rivals who has his own site) has been claiming for a couple days that an announcement on ABC news today at 6:00 is going to be HUGE for MSU football and people are going nuts trying to guess what it is. Some are thinking it would be a verbal from both Ingram and Perry, others making different guesses.
Anyone heard anything or wondering what it could be?

Just to add more to the "story":


Coming on Monday at 6:00 P.M. on ABC 3: Breaking News from MSU Football
By Hondo S. Carpenter Sr.

The Spartan Nation will stand and applaud this great news. Make sure you tune in to hear what it is! The future continues to be bright for Mark Dantonio and the Spartan Nation. This announcement will once again impress the Spartan Nation as this program continues to move forward.

I would be shocked...SHOCKED if it was Perry. I dont see it.

BTW huge grats for keeping a thread pretty much on point. With this kind of dialogue I can see myself posting here more in the future.

BTW Michigan is loaded at RB next year. I would expect MSU to go hard after whichever 1 or 2 are left on the board after Michigan gets who they want. I highly suspect that will be Capers going to MSU since I see Teric Jones coming to UM and maybe Jackson too.

It's Keith Nichol, obviously.

Wait, are we still allowed to joke around here once in a while?

I don't want to scare Art away.

Well, it's 6:30. What's the story?

Please tell me it's not David Rolf from Ohio....thats a good get but if he is the big news for msu that is sorry

How about Gardiner?

I would be shocked...SHOCKED if it was Perry. I dont see it.

BTW huge grats for keeping a thread pretty much on point. With this kind of dialogue I can see myself posting here more in the future.

BTW Michigan is loaded at RB next year. I would expect MSU to go hard after whichever 1 or 2 are left on the board after Michigan gets who they want. I highly suspect that will be Capers going to MSU since I see Teric Jones coming to UM and maybe Jackson too.

That would be a fair trade!

Ha fair trade....Spartan mag just declared david rolf to msu

I don't have ABC 3 - must be the EL affiliate

However, if he's making that much noise over a 3 star LB he's got issues.

Someone on his site is calling him out for comments about Rojo and Barksdale last year, so as a source he just lost credibility in my book.

David Rolf: old report, I'm sure

http://pennstate.scout.com/a.z?s=157&p=8&c=1&nid=3257066

Yea Jethro...Hondo can be a "far wing spartan", almost a dreamer at times when it comes to MSU football. I remember him pretty much guaranteeing Gray and Demens to MSU once they announced the spartans were even in contention.

Here's Rivals on Rolf:

http://michiganstate.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=62701&sport=1

We got Rolf, who had offers from Oregon and Vandy among others, and is listed at 6'3, 220, and a 4.49. If all that is true, that is a real nice pickup. Rivals guys are saying he is taller than that, but slower(legit would be about a 4.6 even). Still, a real nice pickup.

Hondo's 'big news' was the posting of 6 National Championships opposite the retired numbers. He is a retarded blowhard, his previous 'big news' includes Arthur Ray getting cancer, Dion Guy, and Izzo is a football candidate. So - a complete BS story, invading the privacy of a family; bullshit; and bullshit.

Assuming he gets the grades, MSU will get Tre Bishop - 6'4 240 pound athlete, runs a 4.68. Probably a DE, could end up in a few places.

I do have to say that the MD sleepers appear to be better athletes than the JLS ones. Seems that MD wants kids who are big and fast. He'll teach the rest if he needs to. I think that this will make the classes a little rawer, so less immediate impact, but good juniors and seniors. And it should allow for a lot of defensive flexibility.

I'm still a little worried about getting enough OL's this class. And I really don't get passing on MarQueis Gray.

On WTKA today Mike Fowler (Spartan insider) said Perry is out for MSU and he thought Perry would be at Michigan.

We will see.

I've decided that DSC's thread is Five Star. This has become a good thread worth checking out. DSC is to be lauded for his objectivity. As a Michigan Man, I know class when I see it.

I've decided that DSC's thread is Five Star. This has become a good thread worth checking out. DSC is to be lauded for his objectivity. As a Michigan Man, I know class when I see it.

Thanks, not sure on that last comment, but I'm cool with you till there. ;)

MSU is the solid leader for Cameron Jude, another 6'4 235 pounder who runs a 4.6/4.7. Has an MSU offer, along with UConn and Marshall. Offered trips to VTech and BC with an offer expected if he visited, however he liked MSU and they don't want his twin brother, Ryan. MSU hasn't offered the brother, but did trip him.

This kid seems to be the size that MSU wants, but I'm not sure how many kids we are taking at this size(considering Bishop, etc.), and I'm still holding out hope for Smith and (fingers crossed) Perry.

If he had the BC and VTech offers in hand I'd probably be more sold on him, but he seems like a good kid and solid athlete.

IF they are twins wouldn't they be pretty much the same player? Did Ryan suffer an injury that doesn't allow him to perform at the level of his brother or are they just one good and one bad twin?

They may have the same physical potential but that's a far cry from being the same player.

So do we have at least one other state fan on this site? I admit I haven't read one post on his thread, so forgive me if i am retarted.

One twin plays football, the other, well...

http://www.galadesetoiles.com/bios/acosta.jpeg

IF they are twins wouldn't they be pretty much the same player? Did Ryan suffer an injury that doesn't allow him to perform at the level of his brother or are they just one good and one bad twin?

Watch the Lopez's at Stanford(Bball) both are very talented, but they are completely different players.

One might train a little harder, one may have eaten more spinach growing up, one might care more about football. They aren't the same person.

dsc is fan #1, bball1 probably #2. That's about all that's left that I'm aware of. I might be #3 and I hate the bastards.

D'sNuts hangs around here - he's a good Sparty.

Watch the Lopez's at Stanford(Bball) both are very talented, but they are completely different players.

One might train a little harder, one may have eaten more spinach growing up, one might care more about football. They aren't the same person.

Point well taken. But when have you heard of a school offering one twin and not the other one. It seems like a weird move to me. Even if #1 is THAT much better than #2 do you really think they aren't going to the exact same school?

It would be interesting to know ALL of the schools that have offered and see how many actually offered both versus just the one and I really hope that MD wasn't the only one dumb enough to just offer the one.

What the fuck is all this "Sparty Talk" by so called Michigan fans. Don;t you guys know how hard I work translating all of Tahoe's Michigan posts from Latin, French, and Farsi just to put them on this board?
Do you have any idea how insecure I am? How this could finally drive me over the edge?

No responses all day to the Michigan thread can make Tahoe very, very angry.

Point well taken. But when have you heard of a school offering one twin and not the other one. It seems like a weird move to me. Even if #1 is THAT much better than #2 do you really think they aren't going to the exact same school?

It would be interesting to know ALL of the schools that have offered and see how many actually offered both versus just the one and I really hope that MD wasn't the only one dumb enough to just offer the one.

Marshall offered both, UConn only Cameron. BC and VTech only want to offer Cameron.

MSU is bringing in Greg Scruggs from Ohio, 6'5 235 and runs a 4.7. He is a DE in his first year of football(did band) and started for St.X in Ohio, who was one of the top teams in the nation. Scruggs has offers from Tennessee, NC St., Wake Forest, Louisville, and many more in addition to MSU.

Hopefully some commits will be hitting soon to fill out this class.

The last two commits - Rolf and Winston are HUGE though. We need LB's real bad.

A lot of these recruitments are getting really annoying - Balogun, a JuCo MLB, was favoring Arkansas, comes to MSU, drops Arkansas and so on, looks good right? Nope, he visits Oklahoma out of nowhere and commits there. DJ Grant - Us, ISU, and some minor teams, looking good for MSU, then OU and UT come in, and he goes to UT. MD has been able to spot talent and get into the top slot, but then 'big' names keep swooping in.

Win 8 games consistently and you wont have people raping you from top tier schools. All MSU has to do is become like PSU and Wiscy and they will get the love from players.

I think that is real tough thing to do to become a top consistently in the Big 10 because PSU, Wiscy, UM or OSU has anyone really on par in state with them in terms of football. Sure Pitt is in Penn, but Pitt sucks.

Win 8 games consistently and you wont have people raping you from top tier schools. All MSU has to do is become like PSU and Wiscy and they will get the love from players.

I think that is real tough thing to do to become a top consistently in the Big 10 because PSU, Wiscy, UM or OSU has anyone really on par in state with them in terms of football. Sure Pitt is in Penn, but Pitt sucks.

They are recruiting up a storm this year though.

I think MSU should be able to be consistently better than anyone other than UM, OSU, and PSU, those are the schools that have legitmate advantages IMO. Will that take time? Of course, but Wiscy doesn't have the same instate talent, is further from other talent bases(Ohio, Pennsylvania, less to Chicago I guess), and actually has less tradition in the broader sense.

MSU has no reason not to be better than Iowa, Wiscy, or Purdue.

Okay WTF................Is MSU really recruiting a kid from Florida named Yourhighness???

WOW

They did just lose a guy named Sir-daren

Okay WTF................Is MSU really recruiting a kid from Florida named Yourhighness???

WOW

He's got mad game.

http://keetsa.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/prince-charles.jpg

Yourhighness - definitely. You guys try to get Star, we had to one up you.

Yourhighness - definitely. You guys try to get Star, we had to one up you.

Okay I had a problem with the name Star, but "Yourhighness" is just plain awesome.

Good read on what Dantonio is trying to do in Detroit.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080127/SPORTS07/801270643/1055

Definitely. Nice change from JLS and the hick Kentucky sleepers.

We are supposed to have 2 2009 verbals, probably Maxwell and some other kid.

Cameron Jude is all but signed. Bishop's grades are questionable, he had to take 4 finals on the same day due to a death in the family. Steve Gardiner is supposed to have visited, and he liked MSU a ton early on. Yourhighness Morgan has reconsidered his previous commitment to FAU, but he isn't sure if he wants to go back on his word(to the coaches, even if it wasn't public).

What the hell happened to Cojo. There hasn't been a recruiting story on him for like 3 months. Does he still have an offer from MSU? And i thought Dion Guy was a commit to State.

Don't quote me but I don't believe Cojo is academically qualified to play D-1 ball............anyone confirm?

What the hell happened to Cojo. There hasn't been a recruiting story on him for like 3 months. Does he still have an offer from MSU? And i thought Dion Guy was a commit to State.

Dion Guy - Not even close. Thought he had an offer, but never did.

CoJo is not going to qualify.

I know this Hondo guy may be guilty of a bit of hyperbole here and there, this bit about Tyler Hoover borders on ridiculous:

6. Tyler Hoover, 6’7”, 265lbs, DE*, MSU, Novi Hoover may be the most impressive physical specimen in the 2008 class. At 6’7”, Hoover is a mismatch for opposing offenses. Hoover’s early enrollment at MSU will likely land him in the two-deep at DE after the spring game. It is rumored that Hoover has run a sub-4.6 forty at more than one summer football camp. His size makes him a natural on the edge to take QB passing lanes away and should have his share of tipped passes and sacks.

While listening to valenti and Foster (over the "intranet") the other day, Valenti went on a bit of a "Man, dudes, Michigan State out recrooted Michigan for Hoover" tangent. In looking at this kid's profile, I don't quite get it:
(Rivals)
http://michiganstate.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=60552

He does seem fast, but I'm having visions of Pat Massey here. Has anyone seen him play? What's the competition? Did UM recruit him hard? I know UM offered him early, after a summer camp thing, but how heated a battle was it? Seems like he might be on the outside looking in if Perry chooses Sparty.

The kid is really good, I've personally played against him twice. He dominated the KVC the past 2 years, and that is a pretty good conference. Only kid who I've seen stop him is Joel Foreman, who is at MSU and had a PSU offer last year(whether or not his profile says so).

He uses bad form in order to try to be involved with a few more plays(standing up off the line so that he can try to spread out to the perimeter, etc.), costing him some big ones. But, that isn't a surprise at the HS level.

I think he will be a very good player. And UM did recruit him hard(at DE, TE, and OL, mostly DE, but any of the three if he wanted them, which is pretty much what MSU did), but he went to MSU due to a greater availability of PT. And if Perry commits he is expected to start off at LB and play a rush end on 3rd down. And I doubt Hoover will play, or at least start, this year. We have Trevor Anderson - All Big East kid before he transfered, Brandon Long - who has already started 2+ years at MSU before St. Dic took over, Ish Johnson - a big prep school pickup from last year, and a few other potential PT candidates. So Long's PT will likely come in a year or 2.

No Yourhighness to replace Sirdarean....Yourhighness Morgan decides to remain commited to FAU. It seems like Dantonio hasn't closed and can't on any players that consider MSU a finalist.

Now they're moving on to Hisroyalmajesty and Verygoodchap. Meanwhile, Bloodyhell is heading to Oxford and is giving up football to play rugby.

LMAO @ Yourhighness Morgan.

Fucking parents...I think King would be a cool name for a boy though.

LMAO @ Yourhighness Morgan.

Fucking parents...I think King would be a cool name for a boy though.

PARENTS don't name a kid Yourhighness. We are talking about a couple of real fools there. Nor does a PARENT name a kid "Plaxico" or "Prince" or "Sirdarrean" or any other stupid fucking shit like that.

Nice call on "Plaxico".

I know this Hondo guy may be guilty of a bit of hyperbole here and there, this bit about Tyler Hoover borders on ridiculous:

6. Tyler Hoover, 6’7”, 265lbs, DE*, MSU, Novi Hoover may be the most impressive physical specimen in the 2008 class. At 6’7”, Hoover is a mismatch for opposing offenses. Hoover’s early enrollment at MSU will likely land him in the two-deep at DE after the spring game. It is rumored that Hoover has run a sub-4.6 forty at more than one summer football camp. His size makes him a natural on the edge to take QB passing lanes away and should have his share of tipped passes and sacks.

While listening to valenti and Foster (over the "intranet") the other day, Valenti went on a bit of a "Man, dudes, Michigan State out recrooted Michigan for Hoover" tangent. In looking at this kid's profile, I don't quite get it:
(Rivals)
http://michiganstate.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=60552

He does seem fast, but I'm having visions of Pat Massey here. Has anyone seen him play? What's the competition? Did UM recruit him hard? I know UM offered him early, after a summer camp thing, but how heated a battle was it? Seems like he might be on the outside looking in if Perry chooses Sparty.

I saw him play against Livonia Stevenson in the playoffs...He did not have a big game against Stevenson but they did not run at him very often...The KVC is an up and comming league..It is merging with the Western Lakes to form the KLAA..You probably dont care about that part....But he is a good talent and someone that can become very dominate as long as he hits the weight room hard and learns better technique......Huge kid...Very nice parents...

I'm predicting he does nothing in his career, ala Pat Massey.

at least zip and I agree about Hoover being a joke

Congrats on the new recruits DSC. I heard you stole one from tO$U and that Jude made it public today.

Cameron Jude committs:

http://hsvirginia.scout.com/a.z?s=412&p=8&c=1&nid=3556846

And another:

http://michiganstate.scout.com/2/725360.html

Here's Gardiner's profile:

http://westvirginia.scout.com/a.z?s=159&p=8&c=1&nid=3039097

In case you haven't heard yet 09 prospect chris norman committed to state. HUGE get, i see him as a 4 star or at least a 3. Also state and Illinois lead for Leon hill a 4star lineman from chicago in the 09 class.

Now that Chris Norman has committed to Spartina, it's time for RichGod to have him in for a visit.
For some reason, Norman has been considrered a strong UM lean, but no offer from UM yet.

I'm predicting he does nothing in his career, ala Pat Massey.

That's cause you hate MSU.

You would be talking about how sweet Massey was going to be if we were talking after Massey committed(7 years ago?).

Now that Chris Norman has committed to Spartina, it's time for RichGod to have him in for a visit.
For some reason, Norman has been considrered a strong UM lean, but no offer from UM yet.

LOL.

I don't know, I would be so confident that Carr(.752 winning %) leaving and being replaced by RichRod(.607, .697 at WVU) will be that big a benefit for UM. Add in a complete change in style, you could be having a couple down years coming up.

Congrats on the new recruits DSC. I heard you stole one from tO$U and that Jude made it public today.

Thanks. Not sure if we really stole him, he was expected to get an offer on signing day, but didn't have one yet, they would have to lose someone in order to give him an offer. However, any LB that runs a 4.4 or a 4.5 is a good thing. I think Jude could surprise and become a pretty bigtime player.

LOL.

I don't know, I would be so confident that Carr(.752 winning %) leaving and being replaced by RichRod(.607, .697 at WVU) will be that big a benefit for UM. Add in a complete change in style, you could be having a couple down years coming up.

It's funny how Spartinas want to jump up and down about Carr's winning percentage all the sudden after bashing him for a decade. And then point to RichGod's winning percentage at friggin West Virginia (I'm guessing that they had a better winning percentage than Spartina over the last decade).
I DO think the change in style worked for Florida pretty well last year, and it worked well for Ohio State when Tressel went spread to accommodate Troy Smith, and went well when Mack Brown went spread for Vince Young. You Sparties make a big deal about "change". Did ya notice that Rich Rod's former team is on a nice littel three game bowl win streak and is 2-0 in their last two BCS bowl games while Michigan, as any good lil Sparty wants to point out, has gotten their jocks handed to them in big game after big game in the last six or seven years?

I'll say that this could be the ONE year your lil green boogers have a better record than Michigan, but after RR has more than six weeks under his belt to affect some change round here, you'll be under the couch licking your balls like the good lil chihuahuas all yapping Sparties are.

It's funny how Spartinas want to jump up and down about Carr's winning percentage all the sudden after bashing him for a decade. And then point to RichGod's winning percentage at friggin West Virginia (I'm guessing that they had a better winning percentage than Spartina over the last decade).
I DO think the change in style worked for Florida pretty well last year, and it worked well for Ohio State when Tressel went spread to accommodate Troy Smith, and went well when Mack Brown went spread for Vince Young. You Sparties make a big deal about "change". Did ya notice that Rich Rod's former team is on a nice littel three game bowl win streak and is 2-0 in their last two BCS bowl games while Michigan, as any good lil Sparty wants to point out, has gotten their jocks handed to them in big game after big game in the last six or seven years?

I'll say that this could be the ONE year your lil green boogers have a better record than Michigan, but after RR has more than six weeks under his belt to affect some change round here, you'll be under the couch licking your balls like the good lil chihuahuas all yapping Sparties are.

I've been saying Carr was a hell of a coach for a decade. I'm not Bukdow.

And I didn't say that RichRod was a crappy coach, only that this BCS4LIFE stuff could be a little bit of a reach. And if you notice - Tressel went spread for Smith, and is back to the pro. Brown did with Vince, but is mostly pro. Meyer has Tebow. You need an absolute stud at QB, and any true frosh will be tough, even Pryor, and I'm guessing Pryor will go to OSU.

And lets say MSU goes 8-4, UM 6-6(senior QB vs. a frosh, not ridiculous), MSU gets a top 25, or at least 35 recruiting class. Better than what we have had in the past, suggesting that the 8-4 becomes more consistent. UM has a bit of an off class with the off season as a whole(although ND, Illinois, and a couple others have proved the record = recruits truism wrong), so UM only recruits top 20. Yes, MSU still did marginally worse on the recruiting trail, but suddenly we move from UM having the edge at 3/4+ to 4/5 of positions, it is only 1/2 to 2/3. That gradual shift continues, and suddenly it is equal every year. Then we are in the 1960's(as sad as that is to say) again, and MSU is winning every year.

Let's just say you enjoy your 8-4 dream and your dream of consistency, and Michigan will enjoy beating the fuck out of Spartina for the next decade.

Really, that is quite a leap to make for Dantonio, who hasn't proven a thing. And calling Michigan's class a "down class"??? I surely hope you don;t buy into the hype that UM's classes are more than they are, which is usually about 10-20 rank wise. This class, for UM, if RR holds Lloyd's recruits, and not even counting Perry or Pryor, or anyone else at this point, is pretty damn good. The implosion that Spartina hoped for, that the recruits would scatter to the hinterlands upon Lloyd's retirement, doesn't appear to be happening.
I can't see RR not being able to keep up the recruiting at Michigan that at LEAST Lloyd could do. Dantonio? Not gonna happen. MSU is getting a couple of nice recruits this year, and no doubt that will continue, but that battle is so uphill it can;t even be pictured yet.

Let's just say you enjoy your 8-4 dream and your dream of consistency, and Michigan will enjoy beating the fuck out of Spartina for the next decade.

Really, that is quite a leap to make for Dantonio, who hasn't proven a thing. And calling Michigan's class a "down class"??? I surely hope you don;t buy into the hype that UM's classes are more than they are, which is usually about 10-20 rank wise. This class, for UM, if RR holds Lloyd's recruits, and not even counting Perry or Pryor, or anyone else at this point, is pretty damn good. The implosion that Spartina hoped for, that the recruits would scatter to the hinterlands upon Lloyd's retirement, doesn't appear to be happening.
I can't see RR not being able to keep up the recruiting at Michigan that at LEAST Lloyd could do. Dantonio? Not gonna happen. MSU is getting a couple of nice recruits this year, and no doubt that will continue, but that battle is so uphill it can;t even be pictured yet.

I didn't say 8-4 was the dream. I was more saying that at a consistent 8-4 the dream gets within reach, rather than 4-7, 7-5, 6-6. You can be 8-4, then undefeated, and 10-2 seasons are that next step, generally not 6-6 then 12-0. I see the steps as they go on, rather than expecting 12-0 after every season no matter the result of the year before.

Did ya notice that Rich Rod's former team is on a nice littel three game bowl win streak and is 2-0 in their last two BCS bowl games while Michigan, as any good lil Sparty wants to point out, has gotten their jocks handed to them in big game after big game in the last six or seven years?
Except this year, when RichRod put in some of his own offense before the game and we stomped them.

Except this year, when RichRod put in some of his own offense before the game and we stomped them.

??? Who is we? I have no idea where you are aiming this one.

"We" = his Walmart Wolverine ass trying to identify himself as a part of the football team.
Them = Florida.

Chris Norman is a HUGE commit. I have seen him in a couple top150 lists, so a definite 4 star. Looks like he is big enough he could play any LB spot too. MD needs to get '09 rolling, as I'm not exactly convinced that '08 will be exceptional. And as Maxwell is also expected to commit soon, that should give us a 4 star on each side of the ball to build this class around.

Lots of talent is available next year, MD has to take advantage.

I love that RR gets credit for the Florida win.

That will never not be funny.

"We" = his Walmart Wolverine ass trying to identify himself as a part of the football team.
Them = Florida.

Ahh, I guess that makes sense. Other than the 70% pass vs. 70% run thing I can see where you are coming from.

And just a reminder - RichRod's O is fairly simlar to that Florida one, more run heavy, but that same philosophy. So in a weird twisted way, you beat your own future selves.

Am I still a WalMart Wolverine if I spent 3 years working at UM?

Yes.

Are you related to Matt Lentz?

Losing Ingram hurts. At least we still have Ringer.

Larry Caper here we come...

Losing Ingram hurts. At least we still have Ringer.

I just had a feeling about Bama...Stupid decision though...Should have went to Iowa if not MSU..Atleast he would play in Iowa.....Also, with that said, I still think Jimmerson and my favorite Leggitt will be just fine

You have a favorite Sparty?
You're weird. Who's your 14th favorite Hawkeye?

You have a favorite Sparty?
You're weird. Who's your 14th favorite Hawkeye?

Yeah, I followed Muskegon that year..He was the one to carry them to a state title

Ok, State's class is poorly ranked and getting little-to-no love, but I think while it's not spectacular, it is solid. Obviously Ingram or Gray and Perry and/or Demens would have made it much better, but I think there are things to be pleased about.

First, a prediction. Zach Heuter is one of the lowest ranked kids in the class and this kid has a huge frame. I think he could be the sleeper of the class. I really think he'll be a 2 or 3 year starter and possibly get some All-Big Ten love before he's all done.

Next-8-13 three star kids to go with Smith gives decent depth across the positions. At least the weak spots will be fewer. A roster with 50 kids that are 3 stars or higher will have some playmakers and do well if the coach is solid, and I think Dantonio is solid. This is a decent first full class considering the strange things going on. The RR hiring and the freakish Notre Dame recruiting success is rough. Sure, some decisions not to recruit kids can be questioned, but I don't think the class is quite as bad as their ranking suggests.

Its not about their number of stars as recruits, its what the coach does with them once their all on the field. If Dantonio uses them to the best of their abilities, its a solid class. If he'd recruited a ton of 4 and 5 stars but used them all in a piss-poor way, its a shitty class. We'll see how everything turns out on the field.

I think MD will turn this class into a pretty successful one, but it doesn't seem to have the talent to get to that top and near top level. And as we should be trying to be there in 4-5 years, that is obviously a disappointment. We need to have the 'game breakers' that will allow us to move from 7-9 wins(what I'm hoping/expecting from MD these next few years) to the 10+ win stage, and the fewer you have as upper classmen, the better your lower classes have to be in order to achieve that performance. So, MD needs to be at least top 30(Rivals, as I have no faith in Scout for football, just like Rivals for Basketball) next year, or it will be a disappointment. As to reach the level of performance desired in that 5 year time period, top 10 classes would then be needed for the '10+.

I hope MSU football can get back on the map.

I think MD will turn this class into a pretty successful one, but it doesn't seem to have the talent to get to that top and near top level. And as we should be trying to be there in 4-5 years, that is obviously a disappointment. We need to have the 'game breakers' that will allow us to move from 7-9 wins(what I'm hoping/expecting from MD these next few years) to the 10+ win stage, and the fewer you have as upper classmen, the better your lower classes have to be in order to achieve that performance. So, MD needs to be at least top 30(Rivals, as I have no faith in Scout for football, just like Rivals for Basketball) next year, or it will be a disappointment. As to reach the level of performance desired in that 5 year time period, top 10 classes would then be needed for the '10+.

Being an outsider, a way outsider, I think the big question for MSU is the "C" word: Character. Dantonio did a great job of instilling that in his team last year. Whereas MSU has always had talent, and will continue to do so, they have not always had guys whose heads were in the game. I think Dantonio won't put up with that. They've got what some are saying are sleepers, and that's fine, but you have to build on a foundation of heart and intensity with those kids of kids, and Dantonio seems like he will be able to do that.
I said before that MSU had severl gut checks this year and responded well. They were down 24-0 against OSU and the game ended up 24-17 with OSU reeling from several knockdowns. They had UM on the ropes. All their losses were by a TD or less. The team never imploded, and Dantonio made some tough disciplinary moves as well throughout the season.
So he is laying a foundation that he can build on. Good linemen, solid at QB (projecting Foles as being able to step in when the time comes), and getting a big time playmaker in Smith. Great running backs. Norman in the fold for next year.
But you aren't going to win NC's or make BCS bowl games getting all your recruits from Michigan and second tier Ohio players. MSU needs to start broadening its national scope. Maybe Dantonio can focus on "playmakers" in the next class.
It just seems that MSU is locked into the "just another team" category. Can they escape that? This is one program that I feel would benefit by going out and playing big intersectional games: Oklahoma, Texas, Nebraska, SEC teams. Get out there and mix it up on the field in different areas. You aren;t on ABC every week, so go play games that make you an attractive TV draw. Go out west (I do think they have Cal??? this year?). Market yourself the old fashioned way by taking your product to THEM. Otherwise, I can't see MSU making inroads into the more fertile recruiting areas. Again, from an outsider's perspective, and having lived in vearious areas of the country, MSU has ZERO national appeal. The basketball success is NOT rubbing off on the Football team. I know you need the bucks from 8 home games every year, but maybe a sacrifice of some of that for the Big Picture is needed. Get out on the road!
This is a big year for Sparty. They now have some expectations. I think they are projectd for third place in the Big 10, and that and a 9-3 has them in the Cap 1 or Citrus bowl. Shit, if they win a few of those close ones, they may even get to go out to Pasadena and get their asses handed to them like Illinois, but it is exposure. I think Rodriguez is "bringing it" to Ann Arbor and to the Big 10. Sparty needs this one year jump on UM before the Wolverines begin getting up off the mat that everyone seems to think they'll be pinned to this year.
This year's game in Ann Arbor could be, nay, it IS the biggest one for MSU in a long time.

The 98 year old from the Detroit News was commending Dantonio on the fact that all but two of his recruits were from Michigan and Ohio.
Given the angle that he is trying to build relationships and possibly even pipelines in his own backyard, that's a respectable thing. But I agree with Zip (wtf?) that if such an approach becomes the norm, Dantonio will have a big problem.
Yes, Ohio and Michigan generate talent, but if you can't get a handful from Florida, Texas and California you're severely limiting yourself. State's two non-midwest commits were from Virginia and Georgia.
In fact, they only had one guy last year from the recruiting "Big Three" states, and that's Foles.

The problem with that approach also is that UM has long been the power in the state, and gets the glamour and the pub. That isn't going to change. All it takes is for RichGod to have the same thought. You got to admit, he's now in very fertile grounds, something he didn't have at WVU. Michigan High School players signed 60 D1 schollies this year. Rodriguez and company will notice that.

The problem with that approach also is that UM has long been the power in the state, and gets the glamour and the pub. That isn't going to change. All it takes is for RichGod to have the same thought. You got to admit, he's now in very fertile grounds, something he didn't have at WVU. Michigan High School players signed 60 D1 schollies this year. Rodriguez and company will notice that.

MSU got Hoover, Smith, and Burrell despite Michigan offers. What MD is doing with this, IMO, is trying to change the image of MSU in these areas so that he can get the Perry's in the future. Right now, we can pull in a few OOS people, but few game breakers. Attracting OOS game breakers is further away than instate and Ohio ones. So, he is trying to attract near by game breakers which will give MSU the national pub to recruit nationally.

I don't like how we pretty much turned down Gray(4 star QB from Indiana), Darks(3 star from Texas), and Carter(3 star from Virginia). In a tie, sure pick the in state kid. In a kid vs. no one situation, this is idiotic.

I wouldn't blame him for Gray. Dantonio runs a pro style offense, doesn't he? He's got Hoyer and Foles for next year, and someone will pop up in the next class.

I wouldn't blame him for Gray. Dantonio runs a pro style offense, doesn't he? He's got Hoyer and Foles for next year, and someone will pop up in the next class.

Maxwell is 'silent' according to many. And it looks like he has a good shot at 4 stars.

MSU got Hoover, Smith, and Burrell despite Michigan offers. What MD is doing with this, IMO, is trying to change the image of MSU in these areas so that he can get the Perry's in the future. Right now, we can pull in a few OOS people, but few game breakers. Attracting OOS game breakers is further away than instate and Ohio ones. So, he is trying to attract near by game breakers which will give MSU the national pub to recruit nationally.

I don't like how we pretty much turned down Gray(4 star QB from Indiana), Darks(3 star from Texas), and Carter(3 star from Virginia). In a tie, sure pick the in state kid. In a kid vs. no one situation, this is idiotic.

Burrell Never got a Michigan offer..Just pointing out

Burrell Never got a Michigan offer..Just pointing out

He got one well after he committed to MSU. So, not exactly the same, but yeah he did have one.

He got one well after he committed to MSU. So, not exactly the same, but yeah he did have one.

According to the interview he did, he said he never got an offer and was disappointed because he worked hard to get it....This was the day before signing day...

My mistake then. I could have sworn that he did in the near end LC/early RR time period.

2009 safety shamari benton should get and offer at junior day, and is rumored to possibly commit. He's good friends with Chris Norman.

That's good. We need to get off to a good start this year. Edwin Baker is probably going out of state, but he has passed Caper and anyone else in my want list. His offers from Texas and UGA this early are impressive as hell.

If you haven't heard MSU got commit #2 yesterday from WR Donald Spencer. He committed while attending junior day.

Had an offer from Indy in January.

Pretty solid pickup, but I let my Rivals expire, so I don't get the full breakdown.

Now seeing some state top 10 lists with him in there. Some are hyping him as a 4 star to be, I'll guess high 3 star based upon Burrell and Hoover being fairly comparable in the hype last year.

Some are hyping him as a 4 star to be, I'll guess high 3 star based upon Burrell and Hoover being fairly comparable in the hype last year. Very good projection, i see him as a Burrell caliber player at WR. I heard on spartanmag Norman had claimed that some Michigan coaches came to visit him at DR hs. As soon as he entered the door he told them that he was going to MSU and walked out. That kid is sold on State, he won't flop.

Hard to judge a kid whose only other offer was from Indiana. I expect Dantonio to clean up on these types of kids in Michigan.
As for Norman, as hard as it may be for even Sparties to believe, some kids are just going to want to play at MSU. If Dantonio can catch more kids like Hoover and Norman, and if he can have success with the Burrells and Spencers, he just might be onto something. But he is gonna have to be one HELL of a good coach, and to be honest, nobody knows just yet how good he is.

Very good projection, i see him as a Burrell caliber player at WR. I heard on spartanmag Norman had claimed that some Michigan coaches came to visit him at DR hs. As soon as he entered the door he told them that he was going to MSU and walked out. That kid is sold on State, he won't flop.

Burrell Was great his junior year....Norman was not...The one time I saw Ypsi last year, the WR's were not a factor at all...On top of that, Ypsi plays very,very weak competition.....With that said, I hope he turns out to be a good player...I dont see him anywhere near Burrell or Mark Dell...

Could MSU be in line for some more momentum in this year's recruiting battle? Word is beginning to leak out that Edwin Baker is very close to committing to Sparty, and might have done it on Junior Day, but Dantonio told him to hold off till Baker's father could be there. Also, that QB Andrew Maxwell is a "silent committ". If projections, and those committs hold, MSU has four 4*'s in the bag already. Not bad.

Burrell Was great his junior year....Norman was not...The one time I saw Ypsi last year, the WR's were not a factor at all...On top of that, Ypsi plays very,very weak competition.....With that said, I hope he turns out to be a good player...I dont see him anywhere near Burrell or Mark Dell...

I think you mean Spencer. Norman had 6 B10 offers pre-Junior days. I'm guessing he's pretty good.

Could MSU be in line for some more momentum in this year's recruiting battle? Word is beginning to leak out that Edwin Baker is very close to committing to Sparty, and might have done it on Junior Day, but Dantonio told him to hold off till Baker's father could be there. Also, that QB Andrew Maxwell is a "silent committ". If projections, and those committs hold, MSU has four 4*'s in the bag already. Not bad.

Holy balls. That'd be HUGE. Texas and Georgia offered that kid already. He should be top 50. I'm guessing 1 Rivals100, 1 Rivals250, 1 plain 4 star, and a high 3 star if we get all them.

Why couldn't Dantonio do this last year? Sweet.

He came in late, and had a bunch of other shit to do. Sound familiar?

I think you mean Spencer. Norman had 6 B10 offers pre-Junior days. I'm guessing he's pretty good.

oops, sorry. Your right

From the Sparty side of Scout:

EAST LANSING - Michigan State's coaching staff has already begun turning their attention to the bumper 2009 crop of talent in the state of Michigan landing Scout.com's early #6 player Chris Norman, a big, strong productive player with 97 tackles as a junior.
GSN in concert with MichiganVarsity.com, takes a look at the top players in the state of Michigan and which ones Michigan State is likely to target.

10 Zach Matthias, OT, 6-foot-6, 305-pounds, Hemlock.
Offensive linemen don't usually draw headlines but Matthias is an unusal target who's drawing interest from major colleges across the nation, according to Hemlock coach Adam Clark.

"Currently Michigan is coming at him the heaviest," Clark reported, "Michigan State is there as well, along with Iowa, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Duke, Georgia Tech, Alabama, UConn, Illinois, Indiana and we have recently received inquiries from as far south as Florida, Florida State, and Clemson."

With Michigan being the leader, MSU must get in on this franchise tackle who could lead MSU to the Rose Bowl appearance Mark Dantonio point toward.

9. Teric Jones, RB, 5-foot-10, 195-pounds, Detroit Cass Tech.
One of a group of the top running backs in the state, Jones really emerged with a standout performance in the US Army All American Bowl Combine. After posting a 4.37-40 in San Antonio, Jones may have the most upside of any back in the group. That kind of talent will bring tons of suitors. He has already been offered by Michigan, but is getting interest from Michigan State, Alabama, Penn State, Iowa, Central Florida and Notre Dame. He says he's faster than UM commit Boubacar Cissoko. Now that's fast.

8. Hersey Jackson, RB, 6-foot-1, 215, Allendale.
Jackson is a more physical power back in the mold of former MSU back Jehuu Caulcrick. Jackson likes the Spartans and seems to be leaning towards staying in-state. “Wisconsin is sending me stuff. I’m getting letters from Michigan, Michigan State, Iowa, Indiana, and some stuff from Ohio State,” Jackson told IrishEyes.com.

A serious student, Jackson says academics is extremly important to him, another factor is how much they're committed to running the ball. “I went to Wisconsin, Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State for one-day camps this summer. I like how they all run their programs, and the way they have their players in their weight program in the summer.”

7. Reid Fragel, TE, 6-foot-7, 255-pounds Grosse Pointe South.
Fragel likes Michigan State, but has visited Notre Dame four times and is receiving strong interest from the Irish. He visited Notre Dame with teammate Jimmy Saros and said he was "blown away" by the history and atmsophere of the place. Fragel has offers from Cincinnati and Miami (OH) but lists Notre Dame, Michigan, Michigan State, Iowa and Purdue as his favorites.

6. Chris Norman, LB, 6-foot-2, 220-pounds, Detroit Rennaisance.
Give Michigan State a ton of credit for getting an early commitment from one of the top players in State, but their work isn't over. Early commitments continue to get phone calls from other colleges right up to signing day and it appears that new Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez is among those who doesn't view a commitment as binding until the LOI comes in. Still, Norman told GSN he intends to stay strong and that he is truly committed to State. We hope that's the case because he could give MSU the kind of Percy Snow type linebacker they crave.

5. James Jackson, WR, 5-foot-11, 170-pounds, Grand Ledge.
One of the true speed burners of the 2009 class, Jackson is a true playmaker, a game breaker who can turn on the jets and turn a routine slant or dig route into a home run. But even more impressive, Jackson turns down most interview requests because he just wants to be part of the team said his coach Matt Bird. "He doesn’t want to separate himself from the rest of the team,” Bird told GoBlueWolverine.com.

“He always wants to put the team first. They’ve asked for him to do radio interviews and he declines, he’s just a very humble kid.” Already holding a UM offer, Jackson is one of the few juniors with a four-star rating and rising.

4. Dion Sims, WR/TE, 6-foot-5, 230-pounds, Orchard Lake St. Mary.
Michigan State has the inside track on this versatile wide receiver, tight end and big time basketball prospect. Some may liken him to former Spartan and current Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Matt Trannon, but Sims is a better player than that.

One of the top small forwards in the state, he's being recruited by coach Tom Izzo. "I want to try to do both in college and use my abilities to the fullest," says Sims who claims offers from Miami, FL, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Iowa. One has to believe if an Izzo/Dantonio combination would be too much for Sims to turn away from.

3. Edwin Baker, RB, 5-foot-11, 210-pounds, Oak Park.
It's no wonder Baker is listed as one of the top three prospects in the state. He rushed for 1,295 yards as a junior while splitting time with senior Joevall Hoseay one of the top 25 backs in the state a season ago.

Still Baker, who compares himself to former Florida and Cowboys standout Emmett Smith says he wants to get the process over with early so he can concentrate on his senior season. “I hear from Michigan, Michigan State, Florida… all kind of schools,” Baker said. “I really haven’t gotten any offers yet though. Maybe because I’m young.” Don't worry, it won't be too long before the top schools in the state begin offering as Baker will be atop everyone's radar.

2. Larry Caper, RB, 6-foot, 215-pounds, Battle Creek Central.
Caper, a four-star Scout.com junior is the back that the in-state schools will have to fend off interest from the big out of town schools like USC (Ronald Johnson, Nick Perry) and Alabama (Mark Ingram, Jr.) that come into the state and routinely poach the top players.

Caper admits interest in Notre Dame and USC and attended their contest in South Bend last season. Teams love Caper because of his combination of elusiveness, soft hands out of the backfield, toughness, ability to block and run between the tackles. Caper's father says USC, Michigan, Alabama and severl other schools are flooding his home with mail, so the offers will no doubt come soon. Can MSU keep this talented star from getting out of the state? Stay tuned.

1. William Campbell, DT/OT, 6-foot-5, 320-pounds, Detroit Cass Tech.
Campbell moved into the #1 spot after a dominating performance at the Army Junior Combine and figures to help spring teammate Teric Jones to a huge year and make Cass a threat for the state championship. Campbell committed to Michigan and even after the coaching change appears solid. If so, it's the rest of the conferences loss as this young man appears on track to play not only collegiately, but at the professional level.

Others of note: #14, QB Andrew Maxwell of Midland.

Maxwell has been linked to Michigan State but hasn't gone on the record as making any kind of commitment but his arm strength and pocket presence can't be denied. Maxwell help lead the Chemics to a state championship appearance only to be denied by Nick Perry and Co. Still, Maxwell has a style similar to Brian Hoyer, a strong arm, the ability to run a little but needs work on his accuracy.

Michigan State's coaching staff has made recruiting the state of Michigan a priority and with this kind of talent ahead in 2009, it would appear that was a good decision.

Will the relationships that coach Dantonio and his staff forged over the last two years
END

It's creeping onto Scout that Baker is green. I think that is a solid solid pickup. Capers hadn't been graded out very well by the Scout guys who went to one of the combines he was in; said he was bulked up and slow. Sounds to me like Capers is thinking Irish, though.
That leaves Jones to UM, and hopefully James Jakcson as well. Those two seem to be a better fit for the Spread.

Note:

On Sims, as I just perused the Scout Top 100 juniors, Sims didn't list MSU, but Fowler here says that Sims likes MSU best. As usual, The Izzo is dangling a possible basketball roster spot to an MSU football prospect. Gee, that must have been something Jud Heatchote never considered doing!

Even odder is that Sims is from Orchard Lake St Mary, which has traditionally been a pipeline to UM.

Rivals lists Sims as the #29 prospect in the country, with UM, MSU, OSU, Iowa, and Purdue listed as teams he has interest in. Fowler appears to be more up to date with his article than both, especially with the offers he details.
I'm guessing that right now Sims is Dantonio's to lose.

Caper has been quoted as saying that MSU is 'at the top of his list'.

But MSU Rivals guys are thinking only 1 RB this year. WTF? 2 top 100 RB's want to go to State, and you want to turn one down? He better not.

And Fragel better come to State, ND had an amazing group of TE's this year, including a very rare 5 star TE.

Michigan also had a solid tight end year. Not thinking they have room for Freigel, as they have their tight ends from last year back as well.

Note:

On Sims, as I just perused the Scout Top 100 juniors, Sims didn't list MSU, but Fowler here says that Sims likes MSU best. As usual, The Izzo is dangling a possible basketball roster spot to an MSU football prospect. Gee, that must have been something Jud Heatchote never considered doing!

Even odder is that Sims is from Orchard Lake St Mary, which has traditionally been a pipeline to UM.

Kalin Lucas and Jon Misch are both OLSM kids.

Michigan also had a solid tight end year. Not thinking they have room for Freigel, as they have their tight ends from last year back as well.

Plus RR hardly uses the TE at all.

OSLM though, especially in football has been good to UM. I think that right now it is time to throw generalizations about what RR does offensively out the window. We may be talking about some revision here with the type of talent he'll put on the field at UM. I kind of think RR isn;t dumb enough to go out and just recruit speedy midgets like he had at West Virginia, though those speedy midgets did win alot.

The more I look at Sims, the more I like him. I can't see him staying at wide receiver being a 6'5 230 lbs high school junior. Maybe he's the tight end yer looking for.

OSLM though, especially in football has been good to UM. I think that right now it is time to throw generalizations about what RR does offensively out the window. We may be talking about some revision here with the type of talent he'll put on the field at UM. I kind of think RR isn;t dumb enough to go out and just recruit speedy midgets like he had at West Virginia, though those speedy midgets did win alot.

My point was that we are getting better at OLSM.

And Baker is official, if not officially official just yet, story tomorrow.

WOOT!

The more I look at Sims, the more I like him. I can't see him staying at wide receiver being a 6'5 230 lbs high school junior. Maybe he's the tight end yer looking for.

I'll take one, the other, or both. MD uses TE's a lot, and they are both STUDS.

Shamari Benton, Safety from BBR couldn't go to Junior day, but is expected to get an offer once he gets on campus again, and is expected to commit then.

Baker's offers - UT, Georgia, Michigan, Purdue, and MSU!

Baker now officially official.

Speaking of the Big Ten's "Gentlemen's Agreement", Penn State was among three schools that offered Chris Norman, the Sparty committ, a schollie today. The others? West Virginia and Michigan
Norman wants to take as many visits as he can, and his coach wants him to gather as many offers as he can. They are sending tapes to FSU and Florida (Florida, by the way, just hired Vance Something or other, UM's DB coach from last year). Norman says these new offers, or future offers, "most likely" won't affect his committment to Sparty.

Word out on the street is that MSU is putting out offers that are kind of "Here's our offere, whachoo gon' do? Decide NOW motha fuckaaaaa"

I'll be shocked if Baker and Norman stay with Sparty. Unless they tank their senior seasons, MSU is a nice saftey net.

I've officially had it up to HERE with punk Dantonio and bitch ass West Virginia.

EDIT: And I'm about to bitch slap Paterno into the afterworld, where he should have gone fifteen years ago.

Actually he ripped up UM's offer and threw it in the trash. That is per UM's Rivals mod.

Actually, coaches came to visit Chris's school and he said that he was firm with Michigan State after they walked in the doors. Then two days later he received his Michigan offer and was very excited per UM Mods. Most people agree that Chris is very loyal to MSU and I doubt there is anything to worry about on their end.

I hate posting this as lil bro is def getting a head start now with the singing of EDWIN BAKER wonder how caper feels about this

I don't think Caper cares. Baker and Caper have two different styles. Anyoen who watched saw that both Jehuu and Ringer could have success in the same backfield. I think MSU still has a solid chance for Caper and could easily end up with both, giving them potentially one of their best RB classes ever.

I don't think Caper cares. Baker and Caper have two different styles. Anyoen who watched saw that both Jehuu and Ringer could have success in the same backfield. I think MSU still has a solid chance for Caper and could easily end up with both, giving them potentially one of their best RB classes ever.

Oh please oh please oh please.

Oh please oh please oh please.


"I feel like commiting right now(in reference to MSU) and if next week was the deadline I would commit to MSU even though they already got Edwin Baker" -Larry Caper-

This is a quote from the erstwhile Sparty HipDigIt on the other forum (where he went to be surrounded by loving Sparties and moderators who ban everyone who doesn't agree with HDI and freinds).

Caper and Baker to MSU? I thought MSU would pull two out of the group of Baker/Caper/Jones/H. Jackson.

What makes this interesting is that with Caper apparently feeling that MSU is his choice (I still have ND in mind for him, though), Jones and H Jackson would ordinarily be thought of as then heading to UM. Howevah, UM is said to be targeting David Oku and Ronnie Wingo (#'s 20 and 53 Rivals). The dudes on Scout seem to be more of the opinion that Teric Jones is fast, but doesn't necessarily have the mad football skillz, especially pass catching and stuff.
All the info I can get from Scout mentions Jackson and Notre Dame alot, but Jackson said he'd be "thrilled" with offers from MSU, UM and OSU. He has an offer from Cincinnati. How about him? Anyone seen him play? Any good?

Jones and Jackson may very well be headed elsewhere, especially if MSU lands Caper to along with Baker.

I thought Jones was a UM lock. Not measuring up now? That's surprising.

And I could see Hershey going elsewhere, possibly Northwestern(I believe he's a real good student). MSU if Caper falls through. Possibly UM, to be the change of pace back, but he'd have to admit to himself that he isn't going to be the feature back.

Larry Caper Interview:

Larry Caper recently said the Spartans were "high on my list." GSN caught up with the standout running back from Battle Creek Central after a weekend visit — and verbal commitment from fellow stud RB Edwin Baker — to Michigan State. Where do the Green and White now stand in the recruitment of Caper? Read on to find out.

The question on many Michigan State fans' minds after the Green and White secured a verbal commitment from a top in-state running back Tuesday was: Where does that leave Larry Caper? Before his visit last weekend, Caper said Michigan State was "high on my list." Has that changed after Oak Park RB Edwin Baker's announcement?

“Is Michigan State high on my list? To me, I want to commit, but I just want to string out the whole process, make sure everything is crystal clear, make sure I make the right decision," Caper said. "If the deadline was next week, I’d go to Michigan State, even though Edwin Baker's committed there.”

The Spartan coaching staff is making sure nothing is left to chance and contacted Caper right away.

"I talked to (tight ends coach Mark) Staten (Tuesday.) He wanted to make sure I was still good with everything because Edwin committed," he said. "That was pretty nice of them."

When asked about potentially playing alongside a high-caliber back like Baker, Caper referred to an arrangement Spartan fans know quite well.

"We have different styles," he said. "I'm more of an all-purpose back, he's more of a slasher. We could have a combination of backs, like (Javon) Ringer and Jehuu (Caulcrick). If I do end up going there, we'll just have a running back duo like them."

The weekend visit itself only improved Caper's perception of Spartanland.

"It was laid back — most Junior Days are rushed," he said. "It just opened my mind a little more." Caper made the trip with his mother, who he said felt at ease in East Lansing.

"She liked it a lot. She's a real spiritual person, so she felt pretty comfortable with the people there and the coaching staff, more importantly with coach (Mark) Dantonio."

What stuck out the most to Caper and his mother when it came to their visit with Dantonio?

"He told me he wanted to have a long relationship with his players," Caper said. "He said he doesn't want it to be just about football, he wants it to be about the relationship that he has with the players. So he wants to — 15 years later — still have a conversation with them like he did 15 years ago."

Although he's unsure of the dates, he says he'll be back at Michigan State in the near future to participate in another Junior Day.

And when the time comes, Caper says he plans on majoring in physical therapy when he enrolls in college. If it's at Michigan State, he knows he has the full support of the Spartan community, from head coach to support staff.

"That's something that stuck out," he said. "The trainer said he'll help anybody interested in the medical field, so I liked that."

I thought Jones was a UM lock. Not measuring up now? That's surprising.
And I could see Hershey going elsewhere, possibly Northwestern(I believe he's a real good student). MSU if Caper falls through. Possibly UM, to be the change of pace back, but he'd have to admit to himself that he isn't going to be the feature back.

Jones, it is being said by those who know more than I (hard to believe they're out there, I know), is a "combine product" who had less than 100 touches as a junior. There is a "wait and see" about what will happen with more of the burden being placed on him this coming season (Than Gourd it's only 6 months away). He had a great combine, is really really fast (4.37), but not enough is known about his skillz. I do believe he has a UM offer, though.

http://michiganstate.scout.com/a.z?s=175&p=8&c=1&nid=3596171

What do you think about Tyler Copacia. Thats some pretty good starter schools on his list. I think Dantonio should definitely go for two Qb's in this class.

Macomb County (MI) has produced some outstanding quarterbacks over the years. Most recently, the MAC Red conference produced James Stallons, now at Wisconsin. Utica Eisenhower has the next great QB from the area in junior passer Taylor Copacia.

Taylor Copacia turned in quite a junior season. After being thrown into the fire part way through his sophomore season, he showed much more comfort and poise a year ago as he racked up 2038 yards on 192 of 315 passing and 14 touchdowns.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Copacia has been hard at work for next season and beyond, as he is taking the steps to make himself more attractive to college teams.

"I'm 6'4, 190 now," he reported, "I've gained 15 pounds since the season, I've been lifting a lot with a trainer. It does affect my dancing, and some of the dresses I like to wear, but it will all work out, by the grace of Judy Garland" said Copacia, a regular drag queen performer in the Royal Oak gay bar circuit.

The added weight will help, but schools have already been after the talented passer. The mail has been coming in and he will soon head to his first junior day.

"Michigan State is the main one right now, I'm going to their junior day the next Sunday. I have mail from Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, although I don't know what will happen there because I'm not a running QB, Wisconsin, Alabama, Ohio State, Louisville, Boston College and we sent out more tapes so we're just starting to get replies."

Copacia says no college coaches have been to Eisenhower just yet, but several have said they are coming soon.

He will be trying out for the Elite 11 in Pennsylvania and then head to several school camps this summer. Until then, it's all about continuing to work on developing his game.

"I would have to say my accuracy is my biggest strength," he said, "I've been working on my throwing power, I've been working out alot. My life partner, Randy, understands"

Sounds like Sparty material to me!

I saw commits Burrell and Smith with Dion Sims at the Breslin today. I think I saw Capers too but I'm not quite sure.

I saw commits Burrell and Smith with Dion Sims at the Breslin today. I think I saw Capers too but I'm not quite sure.

I wouldn't complain if we brought those 2 in. :) :) :)

People have been saying that James Jackson was there too, but i didn't spot him. I really hope he was, the Breslin was crazy in the 1st half.

I saw commits Burrell and Smith with Dion Sims at the Breslin today. I think I saw Capers too but I'm not quite sure.

Capers was there on Sunday. He was having a pretty good time too.

Looks like it's official, Caper is a Sparty! Scout saying he's committed to DingDongtonio!

Woot!

Huge. Simply Huge.

Your are right about Caper being huge. He has ballooned up to about 225, and now runs a 4.7 40 (as timed at the Combine).
I don't know if you know this, but Scout has given Baker a FIFTH STAR!!! WOW! And they rate him the #16 player in the country, and #2 RB in the country.

It's all downhill from here for the DingDong, though.

Guys, this is for my buddy, Red Cedar, who has been stalking me over here. He posted my post count on the other forum, and it's over 5000! Quite an accomplishment if I do say so myself. Red Cedar, this is for you!

http://soulassassins.com/wp-content/douchebag2.jpg

Your are right about Caper being huge. He has ballooned up to about 225, and now runs a 4.7 40 (as timed at the Combine).
I don't know if you know this, but Scout has given Baker a FIFTH STAR!!! WOW! And they rate him the #16 player in the country, and #2 RB in the country.

It's all downhill from here for the DingDong, though.

That's great news about Caper. The combine time (if accurate?) is largely meaningless considering the conditions. There's a reason why he's still ranked as the #7 RB in the nation and it's not because of his world class break-away speed. He and Baker are going to make a great RB tandem. Thunder and Lightning v2009. They'll be the new and improved Ringer and Caulcrick.

Meaning they'll play in January?

That's great news about Caper. The combine time (if accurate?) is largely meaningless considering the conditions. There's a reason why he's still ranked as the #7 RB in the nation and it's not because of his world class break-away speed. He and Baker are going to make a great RB tandem. Thunder and Lightning v2009. They'll be the new and improved Ringer and Caulcrick.

But a few months ago, the green and white Mike Hart bashers told us that world class speed was super important, though.

But a few months ago, the green and white Mike Hart bashers told us that world class speed was super important, though.

Motherfucker, what the fuck are you doing using the words of the Sparty in an argument! This is a new day! Speed KILLS! You want fat ass, slow running backs now. Get with it!

That's great news about Caper. The combine time (if accurate?) is largely meaningless considering the conditions. There's a reason why he's still ranked as the #7 RB in the nation and it's not because of his world class break-away speed. He and Baker are going to make a great RB tandem. Thunder and Lightning v2009. They'll be the new and improved Ringer and Caulcrick.

You know, that's what some people, like those who were related to her, said about Britney Spears some years ago. Now look at her.

Motherfucker, what the fuck are you doing using the words of the Sparty in an argument! This is a new day! Speed KILLS! You want fat ass, slow running backs now. Get with it!

Lol.

Caper bulked up too much, slowing him down. Wow. So he can run a 4.7(Mike Hart numbers) at 225. So, he drops a couple pounds to speed back up a bit, and is still 215+ in HS and pretty dang quick at that size.

Caper and Baker = AWESOME RB CLASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

UM offered both, despite them 'not fitting in', which just emphasizes their talent. Between the two we have offers from Texas, Florida, Georgia, UM, ND, and the rest of the B10(excluding OSU). That is AWESOME.

But a few months ago, the green and white Mike Hart bashers told us that world class speed was super important, though.

No, being small and slow = POS. 1 of them, not a big deal. (but considering Caper has been timed in the 4.4-4.5 range when less bulked up, I'm not worried).

Baker is a stunner. UM had no position for Caper, and everyone knows that. You gotta offer them, though. Baker is legit under 4.4, and will be great, though there is some concern about the competition he plays, which is supposedly one of the weaker Detroit divisions.

But I'm not gonna say that Sparty didn't do some great stuff there, and the class is solid so far. I do think they are going to run out of steam from here on out, though. Probably Freigel, but Sims looks iffy (his Dad works at UM), and the rest? No one knows right now, but I'd say those who haven't gone Sparty yet, won't.

Baker is a stunner. UM had no position for Caper, and everyone knows that. You gotta offer them, though. Baker is legit under 4.4, and will be great, though there is some concern about the competition he plays, which is supposedly one of the weaker Detroit divisions.

But I'm not gonna say that Sparty didn't do some great stuff there, and the class is solid so far. I do think they are going to run out of steam from here on out, though. Probably Freigel, but Sims looks iffy (his Dad works at UM), and the rest? No one knows right now, but I'd say those who haven't gone Sparty yet, won't.

Sims is iffy - but UM and TE's, especially after Koger and the other guy this year, could prevent that from gaining steam with him. He is supposed to be getting much more receptive to MSU.

Friegel is likely MSU, at least if there is any sense in his head. Cameron Gordon is a WR that MD is supposed to be pretty into, and we are in pretty good shape with. Shamari Benton is expected to commit when he gets his offer at the next Junior day. James Jackson is actually supposed to be more receptive to MSU pitches than expected(but as in we get a visit in the fall, not he'll be next on the list). MD is pressing hard for Campbell, but that'll require MSU playing great, UM screwing up, and a little luck on top of that.

I don't know about your info there. Too much Fowler in your beer. As for Campbell, hasn't dantonio heard about the "Gentlemen's Agreement"??? What would God have to say about that?

If Sims is open to playing DE, the opportunity at UM is huge. At TE, not nearly as much, but he could still be a factor.
Not sure how serious he is about hoops, but there would be no PT at State. A better team, yes, but no PT. AT UM he would have the better football team - where his future lies - and plenty of hoops PT when the time came.

If Sims is open to playing DE, the opportunity at UM is huge. At TE, not nearly as much, but he could still be a factor.
Not sure how serious he is about hoops, but there would be no PT at State. A better team, yes, but no PT. AT UM he would have the better football team - where his future lies - and plenty of hoops PT when the time came.

The problem is, you can't really lay out much PT for anyone who isn't going to join the team till January. Trannon had a large role, but he was able to start playing in November due to JLS's incompetence.

So, 5 minute for 2 months vs. 5 minutes for 3 and prestige - the answer becomes clear for BBall. Also, as he won't be as well integrated, he will play most in clean up. And MSU will have more 'mop the floor' games than UM.

Just saying.

This is probably the better place to post MSU related stuff than the open football recruiting thread.

From todays Detroit News...

"The father of another top-five in-stater, Orchard Lake St. Mary's junior wideout/linebacker Dion Sims, has certainly taken notice. "Michigan State is very, very strong," Don Sims said. "They're coming at us almost daily. They're at the high school games, they're sending us correspondences and they're inviting us to campus. Dion and I were just talking about the players that are going to Michigan State from Detroit. Being a Detroit kid and being around all of those kids, he is seeing how State is really doing a lot of that -- and that's a factor."

But a few months ago, the green and white Mike Hart bashers told us that world class speed was super important, though.

Speed IS important but not for everyone. The importance of speed is why MSU has Edwin Baker. But was speed the reason why Jehuu Caulcrick broke MSU's touchdown record this past season? IIRC I don't believe that it was.

Rivals' Michigan State rankings

1. DT William Campbell, Detroit Cass Tech High School - UM Verbal
2. RB Edwin Baker, Oak Park High School – COMMITTED TO MICHIGAN STATE
3. RB Larry Caper, Battle Creek Central High School – COMMITTED TO MICHIGAN STATE
4. TE Dion Sims, Orchard Lake St. Mary's High School
5. LB Chris Norman, Detroit Renaissance High School – COMMITTED TO MICHIGAN STATE
6. WR James Jackson, Grand Ledge High School
7. QB Andrew Maxwell, Midland High School – COMMITTED TO MICHIGAN STATE
8. WR Cameron Gordon, Inkster High School
9. WR Donald Spencer, Ypsilanti High School – COMMITTED TO MICHIGAN STATE
10. DB Shamari Benton, Brother Rice High School
11. RB Teric Jones, Detroit Cass Tech High School
12. TE Reid Fragel, Gross Pointe South High School
13. LB Jeremy Gainer, Livonia Clarenceville High School
14. OL Zac Matthias, Hemlock High School
15. RB Hersey Jackson, Allendale High School
16. DB Dana Dixon, Detroit Renaissance High School
17. OL Ricky Clemons, Carman-Ainsworth High School
18. QB Mike Schaaf, Saginaw Arthur Hill High School
19. DT Aaron McCord, Detroit Crockett High School
20. OL Charles Chapman, Carleton Airport High School

Gordon is considered a likely commit soon, same with Shamari Benton. Dixon wants to commit if he gets an offer. Sims is supposed to be real high on MSU(not near commit or anything, but real high on it). Hershey Jackson would commit if offered, but won't be with Caper and Baker. We're supposed to be in great shape with Fragel.

In other words - MD is tearing it up in state this year.

I'm sick of people on other msu boards talking about football prospects being potential basketball prospects as well. Every time a lineman comes up in consideration some retards are always stating, "oh he plays basketball that favors state, he can be a bball prospect as well." Haha this is just so humerous... a 6'6 280 lb guy IS NOT a basketball prospect. Like LaLota, c'mon our team will suck if we keep taking football guys and promising them a spot on the bball team. That is why Dantonio isn't doing that except in smith's case. It's fuckin' hillarious man...

I'm sick of people on other msu boards talking about football prospects being potential basketball prospects as well. Every time a lineman comes up in consideration some retards are always stating, "oh he plays basketball that favors state, he can be a bball prospect as well." Haha this is just so humerous... a 6'6 280 lb guy IS NOT a basketball prospect. Like LaLota, c'mon our team will suck if we keep taking football guys and promising them a spot on the bball team. That is why Dantonio isn't doing that except in smith's case. It's fuckin' hillarious man...

AGREED!!!

I think the NBA has as many 6'4 to 6'6 250 lbs guys as it needs. Like, about YESTERDAY.

I remember a quote by some sports guy. He was asked "Where are all the great tight ends in the NFL" and his reply was "They are all playing small forward in the NBA"

Are you aware that Sims is a 3 star hoops recruit (on the same level as MSU signee Draymond Green) and has been recruited by State for b-ball for a very long time? I didn't just start talking about that for the sake of talking. I'm not feeding lines about a guy that can't get up and down the court. He's not a lineman (unless he moves to DE as a pass-rusher). 6'5", 230 is a lot different from 6'6", 280.

So if you're calling me out - repent. If you're calling out Spartan idiots from other boards - realize that idiocy often comes with that territory.

^snarky

Ha unless your a spartan fan on other MSU boards, and you preach about lineman(LaLota or Matthias) being potential basketball prospects, than no that didn't pertain to you. I was just referring to lala spartan football fanatics who want to think of any excuse to muster up hope for a solid OL to head to E.L. Indeed Sims is a two way player. But realistically if MSU basketball wants to remain decent, they need better basketball talent rather than two way players who may switch to focus on one sport. Your comprehension level is nearing the edge of down-syndrome if you didn't understand my previous post.

bball...............you have to admit that if you were to randomly come into this thread and read a few pages it would be easy to characterize your post as "zippy-esque." It was a good post and obviously one you needed to get off your chest, but it really came out of leftfield and sounded like you were trying to bitchslap some MLive posters or SpartanMag posters.

Ha unless your a spartan fan on other MSU boards, and you preach about lineman(LaLota or Matthias) being potential basketball prospects, than no that didn't pertain to you. I was just referring to lala spartan football fanatics who want to think of any excuse to muster up hope for a solid OL to head to E.L. Indeed Sims is a two way player. But realistically if MSU basketball wants to remain decent, they need better basketball talent rather than two way players who may switch to focus on one sport. Your comprehension level is nearing the edge of down-syndrome if you didn't understand my previous post.

We aren't costing BBall spots for these kids. It just gives us a group of practice squad kids who are as athletically talented as top 25 teams. Which is good for the starters to see.

sounded like you were trying to bitchslap some MLive posters or SpartanMag posters.

My initial point was to say that the whole idea of MSU having the advantage with football prospects because they can play basketball is getting out of hand by most MSU fans and wondered if anyone else thought the same. It is just frustrating to see that focus for basketball prospects has seemed to cool down on prospects like Howell, Wilson, Stewart, and Riley.

My initial point was to say that the whole idea of MSU having the advantage with football prospects because they can play basketball is getting out of hand by most MSU fans and wondered if anyone else thought the same. It is just frustrating to see that focus for basketball prospects has seemed to cool down on prospects like Howell, Wilson, Stewart, and Riley.

Howell and Riley both have had their skills question and their upside lowered. There're reasons why MSU have backed off of both. Stewart and Wilson were both longshots from the get go. The only real "loss" thus far has been Strickland and with with PG's recruited in both the 2007 as well as 2008 classes and with yet another PG seemingly in the pipeline in 2010 with Keith Appling, missing out on Dexter isn't looking like too critical of a loss at all for MSU hoops. They need big men and swing forwards...not more undersized combo point guards.

Commit from Blake Treadwell. 6'2 270 4.9, Crabtree sees him as a center, but he plays DT/OG/C.

Donald Spencer is up to 6'4, which definitely helps his standing.

Crabtree called Baker and Caper definite top100 guys, Norman a definite 4 star, Spencer 'one of the better WR's in the midwest', and Treadwell one of the 'best centers in the midwest'.

Is Izzo going "small ball", recruiting a 6'2 center?

From a Sparty on a Sparty board regarding Treadwell:

Most think he is a lower level Big Ten talent. He wont be getting offers from OSU, or UM, but I would bet Iowa, Northwestern, Indiana and such would have offered him if he was in state for them. Not a huge huge talent, but if he was good enough to get an offer this early, he has to be somewhat good.

I think it was SM who said it, but if he was a lower level talent, he probably would have walked-on at MSU, or even a grey-shirt offer. It seems like he is a nice talent.

Though I gotta admit: "One of the best centers in the midwest" is kind of like saying, well, one of the best centers in the midwest. No, it is in fact JUST like saying "One of the best centers in the midwest". But what the HELL does that mean, and what is that Sparty talking about" "lower level big ten talent" to "nice talent" in the span of three sentences?
Geez, if the dumb fucker would have written a paragraph, Treadwell would be All America by now.

Though I gotta admit: "One of the best centers in the midwest" is kind of like saying, well, one of the best centers in the midwest. No, it is in fact JUST like saying "One of the best centers in the midwest". But what the HELL does that mean, and what is that Sparty talking about" "lower level big ten talent" to "nice talent" in the span of three sentences?
Geez, if the dumb fucker would have written a paragraph, Treadwell would be All America by now.

Best centers in the midwest means a solid 3 star. People don't play center. So that's how that works out. Golic's kid was laughed at for being an AA gamer, and was a 3 star, #8 at his position.