Keeping with the recruiting theme, Chelsea running back Nick Hill committed today to MSU, giving the Spartans their seventh verbal pledge for 2010.
I talked with Hill's coach, Brad Bush, tonight about the commitment. He said Hill connected with Mark Dantonio and primary recruiter Dan Enos, and that he appreciated that MSU "was straightforward and honest with him from the beginning."
Hill is 5-7, which Bush thinks has made some teams slow to offer (Notre Dame and Michigan have been recruiting Hill, but have not offered). He has started for Bush from day one of freshman season, runs in the 4.4 range and is a deadly return man. His size has caused some to compare Hill to Mike Hart.
"I've even been with him when people stop him and think he's Mike Hart," Bush said. "He's built like him, he looks like him..."
Bush stopped short of saying Hill can produce like Hart at the college level, but he certainly thinks he can produce.
"He brings a lot to the table," he said.
We'll have more on this, hopefully including thoughts from Hill, in Wednesday's LSJ.
Mark Freaking Dantonio.
The man. The savior.
Posted by: Trevor's Lost Billy Goat | June 30, 2009 at 10:04 PM
We didn't want him.
Posted by: worried in ann arbor | June 30, 2009 at 10:28 PM
yeah - we're sick of getting quality kids. let him go to MSU and be a success - while we fade off under the WVU transplant...
Posted by: uofmking | June 30, 2009 at 10:45 PM
Fire everyone.
Posted by: Parrot Head | June 30, 2009 at 10:49 PM
Let's just hope he doesn't have the same level of classlessness of Mikey Hart. They'll always be the leaders and the best in that category.
Posted by: Some guy who went to MSU | June 30, 2009 at 11:56 PM
He's no O.J. McGuffie
~Michigan Fan circa July '08
Posted by: Stone | July 01, 2009 at 12:45 AM
As large as college rosters are, I think it's fine to have a scatback. He's not going to tote the mail as much as Ringer did! We'll have some bigger guys too - nice combo.
Posted by: Michael Motta | July 01, 2009 at 01:07 AM
Welcome Nick.
MSU is a great place to be.
Give us what you've got and we'll back you forever.
Much love.
Spartans
Posted by: AZ Spartania | July 01, 2009 at 01:41 AM
State could use an explosive return man, and with that speed maybe he'll be the next Blake Ezor.
Posted by: vnflcards | July 01, 2009 at 08:39 AM
Go Right Through, Nick Hill!!!
Posted by: Agesilaus | July 01, 2009 at 10:21 AM
If nick hill pretty mmuch fits the mold of mike hart.
That being, small and explosive.
Why in the hell would UM be afraid to offer him due to his size?
Could anyone make some sense of that?
Posted by: sparty at my house | July 01, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Welcome to Spartan Nation Nick!
Posted by: SpatyOn | July 01, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Billy Goat with a bulls eye this morning.
Also have to give Enos a lot of credit. He has a stranglehold on the Motor City right now; Ted Nuggent step aside. I'll start the process now for getting his #4 retired.
Have to give a shout out to the Michigan Regents for hiring Rich Rod and securing MSU's dominance in the state of Michigan. Michigan football is officially an average program and will be for the forseeable future.
p.s. let's hope Hill is not like Ezor OFF of the field. How many DUIs can one guy get anyway?
Posted by: zing | July 01, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Michigan got plenty of up-close looks at him, including last week at their own camp... and decided not to offer him a scholarship.
like most MSU students, only going there because he was passed over by UM.
Posted by: Scott | July 01, 2009 at 02:39 PM
Couldn't see that one coming Scott. It's time for some new material.
Posted by: chooch | July 01, 2009 at 03:11 PM
kinda like the argument that MSU is dominating in-state recruiting by snatching up players UM doesn't want?
Posted by: Scott | July 01, 2009 at 04:08 PM
Uofscum, Is trying to recruit nationally...with RichieRich and his arrogances and finger waving at the faithful..... Who wants to play for an idiot... UoM fans are getting a wakeup call! Your not maze anymore...just corn!
Posted by: rbe | July 02, 2009 at 01:11 PM