Signing day recap

Most importantly, the indication from Mark Dantonio's signing day press conference was that JUCO defensive end Michael Jordan, a four-star prospect according to Rivals.com, has work to finish academically but still plans to play for MSU.

As for the two guys MSU lost today -- corner Cedric Everson (Iowa) and linebacker George White (Missouri) -- Dantonio didn't say much, other than: "They’re unexpected but, you know it works both ways, that’s all I can tell you and I’m more concerned about the guys who are with us."

Here's a tidbit or two from Dantonio on each of the 20 kids who actually did sign with MSU today:

Andre Anderson, RB, Barrington, IL
*  Apparently Illinois tried to get in on him late, but he stuck with MSU. ... Originally a Minnesota commitment. ... Called him an "extremely explosive player" who can "cut on a dime" and help in the return game.

Aaron Bates, P, New Concord, Ohio
* Grew up three miles from Dantonio's hometown, a punter who can kick off deep, perhaps kick long field goals as well. ... Notre Dame was getting in on him right before he committed to MSU.

Garrett Celek, TE, Cincinnati
* His brother played for Dantonio at Cincinnati and was the school's all-time receiving tight end. ... Outstanding numbers (9-10 long jump, 34 inch vertical, 4.6 40) and apparently OSU coach Jim Tressel told Dantonio he was the best football player out of 2,000 kids at OSU's camp. But OSU wasn't taking a tight end. "We feel like we got a diamond in the rough," Dantonio said of Celek.

Kirk Cousins, QB, Holland
* Colorado was in on him late. Compared his tendencies to those of Drew Brees -- he has quick release, can throw the ball at different angles.

B.J. Cunningham, WR, Westerville, Ohio
* Something interesting about Dantonio is he obviously likes good hoops players and how that athleticism translates. Cunningham only played two years of football but apparently he can dunk from the foul line and scores 20 a game.

Mark Dell, WR, Farmington Hills
* Again, hoops is mentioned. Dell is obviously one of the top catches of this class. Dantonio mentioned that Miami, Fla. (with new assistant Jeff Stoutland) tried to get in on him late, but he decided not to visit and stuck with MSU.

Chase Dumphord, OL, Paris, Ky.
* Yes, he's a good hooper, and that means more when you're talking about a 320-pound offensive lineman. He can run for his size, and Dantonio mentioned that he visited Florida and Auburn. Committed to MSU over Christmas, Dantonio said, but didn't make that public until today.

David Duran, TE, Marietta, Ga.
* Sounds like he'll be a heavy-duty blocking tight end. He's 6-5, 235 now but Dantonio says his frame can carry 260. He's "tough in all respects" and "has good ball skills."

Joel Foreman, OL, Highland
* Was MVP of his league as a lineman and "that's a huge statement," Dantonio said. Apparently Penn State made a late run at him but "this is where his heart is."

Antonio Jeremiah, DT, Hilliard, Ohio
Probably the top recruit of the class. Rivals ranks him No. 4 in Ohio. Had 40 or so scholarship offers. "We're very, very excited to get Antonio," Dantonio said.


Ishmyl Johnson, DL, Rahway, N.J.
* Prep school kid who might be able to play right away. Check that, might have to play right away. "Great power, great upside," says Dantonio.

Greg Jones, LB, Cincinnati
* Another former Minnesota commitment who looked around after Glen Mason was let go. "His lateral ability is excellent" and he's a "very explosive player," Dantonio says. He also thinks Jones might be able to figure in immediately at linebacker.

Ashton Leggett, RB, Muskegon
* Most people assume Leggett (5-11, 220) has a future as a fullback at this level, but Dantonio says he's a tailback, and that he has great speed.

Jared McGaha, OL, Powell, Tenn.
* Dantonio mentioned that Michigan had interest. He called McGaha one of the best tackles coming out in the nation and a guy who's "very, very athletic for his size, very athletic."

Kevin Pickelman, TE, Marshall
* "He's a contact football player," Dantonio says, with "great ball skills and a great motor."

Arthur Ray Jr., OL, Chicago
* A former commitment to Boston College who opened things up after the coaching change there, Ray is 6-3, 294 and likely has a lot of growing to do. He has people 6-8 on both sides of his family. Apparently he doesn't have to shave too often, so MSU expects a few more inches of height before he's done.

Chris Rucker, WR, Detroit
* The smaller, less-heralded of MSU's two Chris Ruckers, he's a "multidimensional player" who can do some things as a returner. He played tailback for Country Day as well, and he looks like a slot/yards-after-the-catch kind of receiver in college.

Chris Rucker, DB, Warren, Ohio
* The other Rucker is one of the top catches of the class. He's 6-2, 185 with speed. He also played receiver, which is important to Dantonio. Ball skills, he said, are an overlooked aspect for defensive backs. He wants guys with "ball judgment" who can come up with picks. If they played receiver, all the better. And he wants receivers who play DB, for the toughness factor.

Ryan Wheat, DT, Flint
* An "extremely powerful" player who looked around after John L. Smith was fired, but stuck with MSU after Dantonio's staff recruited him heavily. The high school teammate of LB George White, who switched to Missouri today.

Oren Wilson, DL, Teaneck, N.J.
* Another prep school guy, who at 6-3, 290, reminds Dantonio of current MSU defensive tackle "OG" (don't make me try to spell his name right now). Wilson has played center as well, a good sign in terms of athleticism, which probably explains why Dantonio calls him an "extremely athletic guy." Like all the DL guys, might need to get into that rotation immediately.

OK, that's your quick overview, we'll have much more online and in Thursday's paper. Now it's time to take things over to Mackey Arena and shift focus to hoops.

Comments

[Andy]

Good recap Joe. Don't bother with hoops, it was, as I just wrote on my blog - FUGLY.