Recruiting
Have you been following Coach D and staff's efforts for next year's recruiting class?
Verbal commitments are now up to 13. 7 of those 13 are 4 star recruits according to Rivals.com. 5 of of those players are in ESPN's top 150.
One of those prize recruits is QB Andrew Maxwell. Maxwell is at this moment competing in the Elite 11 camp; according to ESPN: "The event, celebrating its 10th anniversary, provides the nation's top high school quarterbacks with high-level instruction by the best in the business, making it the nation's premier quarterback camp for prep athletes. The Elite 11 will be held in Southern California July 21-24."
Here is what Rivals.com has to say about his performance at camp so far: "Maxwell has been one of the most consistent throwers on both days. His footwork is above average, which helps with his timing and accuracy. He is a bit lean at this time and most likely will need to add 10-15 pounds before he can compete for playing time at Michigan State. He appears to be having the time of his life and really seems to thrive on this competition. As I said yesterday, he may be the best quarterback prospect in the Midwest."
Of course looking at next year's recruiting class before this season even starts is a bit silly, but still very exciting. It's going to be at least a year before we find out how well these kids can play at the college level, and a few years before we see what kind of success our program is going to have.
How excited are you about the direction of our program? How soon will we see drastic results in our wins and losses/bowl appearances/conference championships/U-M rivalry? Do you think we should just concentrate on the upcoming season and worry about 'next year' next year?
Look, this is a sports blog and we are all here to do the same thing, talk spartan sports. So no, I don't think it hurts to talk about the future. What else are we going to do right now anyway. We'll talk 2008 as it gets closer.
What kids do in HS and what kind of a player they were doesn't always translate to the next level. MD has shown that even without the "best" talent coming out of HS he can get the best out of his players, getting them to perform above those that may have been 4 & 5 star recruits.
CW @ ND is a great example of getting top recruiting classes and not being able to do anything with them yet. Does it hurt to get classes filled with 4 & 5 star recruits, hell no. But as we know a lot of those rankings derive from number of camps attended, coaches pushing their players, etc.
So while the ranking system is a good indicator, its not the final say.
I am really enjoying that MD is getting such a quick turnaround in recruiting, that hasn't always happened. It does nothing but good for the program and helps build excitement for the future which, which in turn helps recruiting again. Its easier to recruit for the future when there is a positive buzz going around.
I think 2009 will be the first year we see a real top to bottom improvement across the program on a consistent level. MD has gotten some impact players that should step up right away while still grooming others for the future.
As long as we make it to solid bowl games at get matched up at our level and not like what happened to ND in past years, we should see bowl victories that will translate to more success with the program. I see improvements against UM starting this year.
GO GREEN!
Posted by: Spartan58 | July 23, 2008 at 03:49 PM
Just take one season at a time.
A verbal committment does not mean a whole lot at this juncture as they can change their mind, not have good enough academics, other schools lure them away etc.
MSU should be improved this year but I would not be making any reservations to Pasadena at this time.
Posted by: JRS | July 23, 2008 at 04:00 PM
Very excited, frankly. Not that it's an apples-to-apples comparison, but it reminds me of the Tigers drafting and signing Andrew Miller-- it was the first sign that they were finally moving up again (disappointing WS and this season so far notwithstanding)...
Posted by: Mike in DC | July 23, 2008 at 04:00 PM
I see these words ...
"7 of those 13 are 4 star recruits according to Rivals.com. 5 of of those players are in ESPN's top 150"
... and I smile. If the staff can churn out classes like this annually, MSU will start competing for Big Ten titles again.
About friggin' time. Considering MSU hasn't won a share of the Big Ten title since 1990 and hasn't been to the Rose Bowl since 1987, this is LONG overdue.
It makes me sick that the Wolverines have been to Pasadena EIGHT TIMES since the Spartans last went.
Posted by: Sam | July 23, 2008 at 04:22 PM
We should feel worse that NW has been there more recently than us.
Posted by: Spartan58 | July 23, 2008 at 05:36 PM
I've never seen MSU football recruit like this. How can you not be excited?
Posted by: booster | July 23, 2008 at 05:37 PM
Booster, couldn't agree with you more. We have many miles to cover still but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
I don't know about you, but its nice to finally see it again. I hated not being able to see where this program was going unless I looked down.
Posted by: Spartan58 | July 23, 2008 at 05:50 PM
When it comes to Rivals.com & similar sights, many people I know take one of the two extreme sides of the spectrum. One camp says that HS football rankings are meaningless, while the other camp says they're the end-all gosphel of recruiting.
The answer, of course, is somewhere in the middle. IF Rivals.com rankings were meaningless, then Eastern Michigan would have a legitmate shot @ the National Championship every so often. Obviously, that's not the case.
On the other hand, there have been plenty of virtual unknowns who have shocked the world (one need not look past MSU's own Devin Thomas & Greg Jones!). And, conversely, there have been plenty of 5 star players who have flopped at the next level (anyone want to wax nostalgic about Ron Powlus?).
Closer to home, U-M's recruiting classes have always buried MSU's so long as I can remember. In spite of this fact, 4 of the last 5 grudge matches have been decided by a TD or less + 2 went into OT. This is the first time I've EVER seen MSU get a class that's comparable to U-M's, so if the coaching staff can get everything they can out of them, this could really turn the tide in the rivalry! While there are always Rivals.com highly-touted players who flop, odds are that most of them are @ least in the ballpark of being as good as advertised.
As for myself, I live in Battle Creek, so I plan to attend 3 BC Central games this fall to get a "sneak preview" of Larry Caper. For the first time in a long while, I can honestly say that it appears that there are glory days ahead for the Green & White. GO STATE!
DSR
Posted by: David | July 23, 2008 at 05:58 PM
We need "D" players.
It's about "D."
"O" wins games, "D" wins championships.
Where's the D??
Posted by: spartan fan | July 23, 2008 at 07:21 PM
Not only is this a great class,but I read that all will qualify academically. There haven't been any off field problems this summer with our current players. We have a solid team coming back and great recruits coming in. Dantonio has us going in the right direction and I can't wait for the season.
Posted by: db | July 23, 2008 at 07:25 PM
The D is there too!! Norman is a guy EVERYONE wanted! The class is O-heavy at this point but MSU just got another LB and I understand there are a couple of D players who are on the verge of giving their verbals.
This is a great sign for MSU....coach D is a great coach and wins over kids quickly. He is a god-send for the program and I'm looking forward to the fall.
GO GREEN!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Dan | July 23, 2008 at 09:41 PM
I thought I read somewhere that M.S.U. had 14 scholarships to offer for the 09 class. Can anyone verify this? This recent linebacker from Indiana makes 13 verbal committs. Does that mean that we have offered up all but one available scholarship to players that have yet to play their senior seasons? I like that many of them standout acadenically as well as athletically, but is this a good strategy?
Posted by: The Dude | July 23, 2008 at 11:21 PM
Its great we have a good class for 2009, but MSU needs another solid season with a respectable bowl game other than motor city bowl. MSU for years has had a good but not great starting 22, however depth and attrition has hurt the program considerably. Another respectable bowl game would keep the recruiting momentum going into 2010 class and continue to build depth. This would be huge in so that MSU would be able to maintain a level of competing year in and year out for Rose Bowls or New Years Day bowls. So yes, its nice MD is getting solid student/athletes for 09, but my eyes are focused on the upcoming season. 8-4 baby.
Posted by: T Bone | July 24, 2008 at 12:59 AM
Dude: I will answer your question this way. So far, Dantonio has not anything (a-la-John L. Smith) to prompt MSU fans into questioning his judgment. It's not when you sign your players, but if they're the players you want + players who will fit your system. If you look closer @ the rankings, on top of MSU's having 7 four-star players, many of the three-star guys are very high. I mean, right near the cut-off of four-star players. Hence, they could easily move up with solid senior yrs, giving MSU more four-star guys. {Yes, I do realize that Rivals.com is not the end-all, and I also realize players can move down as well, as Tyler Hoover did}. Baker could be a five-star guy as he's as high as you can go w/out being a five-star {Rivals.com ranks him as a 6.0 & the cut-off is 6.1}.
I understand the whole wanting to wait around & seeing if MSU can land more high profile recruits. However, if MSU gets the guys they want, then that's not really a big issue. And, given that MSU has already signed all these guys, it means that they really WANTED them. Just because a school is recruiting a player does not mean that they're ready to offer a scholarship. Therefore, a school (no matter who they are) will not offer a scholarship to a player this early UNLESS they're very high on the school's wish-list.
Look @ Iowa's 2009 recruiting class; they have a whopping 2 players so far. Getting the 2009 class wrapped up means MSU can already begin looking at some of the best HS sophomores in the state & in the country to focus on for 2010. Being a college football coach is a year-round gig, which is yet something else which JLS never grasped.
DSR
Posted by: David | July 24, 2008 at 06:49 AM
I had heard we are somewhere between 15-17 scholarships depending on attrition but I don't think anyone really knows for sure. We do have "d" in this class. Norman is a big time recruit that Michigan is still going after. We just signed Hammock at lb, we have Dana Dixon at cb, and Blake Treadwell (although listed as OL) is going to start out at DT. Another cool thing about this class is that a lot of these guys can play multiple positions. Even if a guy is listed at wr, that doesn't mean he won't end up a cb.
Posted by: db | July 24, 2008 at 07:41 AM
This season will be critical for keeping those verbal commitments. if we flop and lose 8 games in a row or just flat out get embarassed then we have a problem. the great thing is i for one am very confident in chances this year as are many of the so called experts. i believe 9 wins is possible and in fact we could take down UofM this year IN the big house! i am most nervous though about our opener at CAL if we beat em then that could really boost our confidence. if its a close loss i thing we bounce back and win the next 3 to 5 games. untill we start the real meaty part of the schedule. but if we get just blown out, i could see a slight dive in the next few games. oh i dont know i cant predict the future but i am very excited about this season
Posted by: Rexrode (evil twin) | July 24, 2008 at 09:15 AM
I'd like to draw focus to something David said about wrapping recruiting up, unlike Iowa.
This is one of those things that is and isn't a big factor in the direction of the program. I don't want to put too much emphasis on it, but the sooner MD & the staff put it to bed (for the most part) the more they can focus on other things.
That's really important. The coaches can be coaches and can spend more energy and time on things that are happening on the field, this year. Its a sign of good management.
Just wanted to bring David's point out a bit more, it was a good one.
GO GREEN!
Posted by: Spartan58 | July 24, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Player ratings are always subject to change, and individually within a class, it's impossible to tell who will and won't be great. However, look at the teams that are consistently near the top of the recruiting rankings ... Texas, OSU, Florida, USC ... all consistent national championship contenders. It's definitely time to be excited again about the direction of Spartan football! And when you have a good coach, you always look forward to the current season ... go state!
Posted by: Izzo '08 | July 24, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Devin Thomas pulled a hammy today at a Redskins practice and had to be carted away. no word yet on how bad the injury is or if it will hinder him from playing this season....are State Players cursed or what? i guess its good he left when he did or he could have done this at some random spring practice.
Posted by: Rexrode (evil twin) | July 24, 2008 at 12:29 PM
The Hammer will provide the D spartan fan!
http://www.wane.com/Global/category.asp?C=115289
Posted by: JMoist | July 24, 2008 at 10:00 PM
hey give the spartans a plus when have the spartans looked this promising. coach dantonio is making big strides with the spartans and is doing it the proper way HARD WORK.
Posted by: gregg nelson | July 24, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Shame on many of you. I saw things I haven't seen for years just last year in this team. This team could go all the way. Last year proved that to us all. One touch down in all of those losses would mean wins and national championship. We are entering a new era in Spartan football. If you do't believe, it will not happen. I'll be driving in from Kentucky all season with a truck filled with kids, a wife and two dogs to watch the magic unfold. We will acheive!
Posted by: Steve | July 24, 2008 at 11:18 PM
While yes, a few breaks in another direction and we could have had a great record last year... I think we would have gone to a bowl and been matched up with someone way over our heads.
Than we look like ND did in the last 2 bowl games they went too. No thanks.
Even if it means taking another few years to get there, I want this team to earn everything they get. It is what is best for the program.
Don't get me wrong, I hope we kick ass this year. But just like the Bears when they went to the Super Bowl a few years ago... sure they won the games to get there. But they were wayyyy over matched and as a Bears fan, they shouldn't have been there.
This team should due well this year, but we also play one of the toughest schedules in college football again and anything can happen.
I am positively optimistic about this year.
GO GREEN!
Posted by: Spartan58 | July 25, 2008 at 10:11 AM
A good sign is that the only news about MSU football is positive compared to season past when the media was all to eager to potray MSU as a bunch of thugs. As fans when we have contact with the players we shoud commend them for being good ambassadors for the school. I am excited about the potential the team has this year and the following, but lets keep in mind it takes time. I want to go to another bowl this year and compete for the big ten title.
Go State!
Posted by: Spartan84 | July 25, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Agreed, unlike Iowa who had 14...... 14 players arrested in the off season. 14.... WOW, even Booby W. didn't put up those numbers.
Posted by: Spartan58 | July 25, 2008 at 02:42 PM