I have no affiliation with rivals, spartan mag, staudt on sports or any sports recruiting agency. 

12 teams are ranked in the Top 25 that were not ranked in the Top 25 Preseason, as follows (I used Sports Illustrated):

Alabama (1)
Utah (7)
Boise (9)
Okla. St. (13)
Ball St (14)
MSU (15)
UNC (16)
TCU (18)
FSU (19)
Tulsa (23)
Wake (24)
S. Car (25)

Coversely, here are the teams that were ranked that are not currently in the top 25, with their preseason ranking:

Auburn (8)
Wiscy (9)
Kansas (11)
Tenn (12)
Clemson (13)
WVU (14)
Ariz St (16)
Va Tech (17)
Oregon (19)
Illini (21)
Or St (22)
UVA (24)

     Of the top 25, there are also some teams that moved both ways. LSU was ranked 6 in preseason, they are now #20. Penn St was #20, they sit at #6 (but that will fall in 2 weeks!). Texas Teck and Texas are #2 and #3, and they were #10 and #15 preseason.

I have no affiliation with rivals, spartan mag, staudt on sports or any sports recruiting agency

         I was asked on my opinion on what I felt about Michigan States 2009 recruiting class and where it measures up with the rest of the Big Ten.  Right now MSU is ranked #3 in the big ten and #17overall in the nation.  Those numbers do not lie, but then again, rivals.com has made mistakes on their ratings of certain players.  For example Steven Threat who committed to G Tech in 2006. and is now at U-M.  He was ranked a 4/5 star recruit and was the #12 dual  threat QB in the nation.  As you can tell, Threat is not fast and so far has not lived up to his 4 star billing, right now I would put him as a 2 star recruit.  Rankings are not everything, highlight films make differences as how certain prospects show during that schools campus.  I know that Dantonio likes to have the future of Michigan State to be at his camps so himself and his coaching staff can see each individual in person.

     Anyways here is my thoughts on where Michigan State stacks up against other conferences in recruiting.  Only USC in the pac-10 has a better recruiting class than Michigan state.  MSU would have the #1 recruiting class in the Big East, Conf USA, MAC, Mountain West, Sun Belt, and the WAC, if they were in those conferences respectively.  Michigan State would be ranked #4 in the ACC if they were in that conference and ranked #8 in the SEC.  I feel that Michigan State is doing VERY WELL in recruiting compared to other conferences.

     During the past years I have not been impressed with John L Smiths evaluation on recruiting.  I never liked seeing a player sign with MSU when they other schools that offered the player were only M.A.C schools.  Yes, the MAC has proven that they can beat the big ten, but as a fan and avid recruiter analyst *underground* I wanted better.  I waited for better, and waited, and waited, and now that time has come.  In order for a football program to compete nationally, they have to go head to head with other school for big time recruits, and win.  MSU has not done that well in the past but that has changed since Dantonio has stepped onto MSU's campus.

     Ringer is a John L recruit, as is Brian Hoyer, so I will give John L credit for the recruitment of those two players.  Ringer was offered by USC.  Michigan wanted Fred Smith, Larry Caper and Chris Norman badly.  David Barrent could have went anywhere in the nation.  Edwin Baker had offers from Tenn, Fla and Texas!!!!!  You will see a better MSU team overall once you see Michigan State beat out the Notre Dames, OU, Michigan,  PSU and Ohio State even for kids.

     Michigan State is beating its counterparts for big time recruits for 2009.    I have not seen Michigan State start off this fast and successful with recruiting since Nick Saban was in East Lansing in 1999/2000 season.  During those  two years, Michigan State received the nations #1 recruit overall in Charles Rogers and T.J Duckett.

       Also what is important is that Mark Dantonio is not getting Junior College or Prep College players.  He is getting High School seniors.  That is key, so those players will be in the system longer and at a younger age, they have a better attention discipline.   I feel that Michigan States 2009 recruiting class is a top 10 class.  Especially if they end up getting Dion Sims.  Now remember this, Ohio State has 24 commitments, as U-M has more commitments than Michigan State right now.  The last school to end up in the top 15 overall with less than 20 commitments in a class was USC.  Anytime Michigan State can be compared to a program like USC, I will gladley smile and take it.  Michigan State has 16 commitments right now and word has it that they only have three more scholarships left to give.  I feel MSU stacks up nicely with any school in the nation as far as the 2009 recruiting season is going. 

Note:  There are other school who also have the same number of commitments as MSU, but MSU only has 3 more to give out as those other schools will have 9 ore more.

     If MSU fans are excited about 2009 class, just wait and see what MSU will do for the 2010/2011 class!      

  Side note:  All 3 of  these players had MSU as runnerup, so think of how Michigan State COULD be if these three stayed home.   I know this is bad to wish that a kid would not get accepted to a school, but I did hope  that Nick Perry, Detroit, MI ( USC) * #2 DE in 2007 overall and top 50 recruit nationally, #1 player in the state of Michigan* would have not qualified at USC.  Based on that he was going to transfer to Michigan State, but his grades did end up goingthrough the clearinghouse.  He is the state of Michigan's all time sack leader with Tyler Hoover is #2.  Same as I wished Ron Johnson, Muskegon (USC) would have came to MSU and Joseph Barksdale *Detroit Cass Tech* who starts at OT for LSU

I have always wanted to do this. I find the recruiting aspect of the college football game to be exciting. I will break down each position for Michigan State and share with you players high school rankings, rivals star ranking, where they are from, what high school they played for and whom MSU beat out to receive the service of each individual athlete.  It gives you a better idea of what type of player MSU has starting at each position!!

Note: Rivals rates players on a five star basis, and also on a 6.1 point scale, to help make things more clear.

Continue reading this post »

    Here is Michigan State's Defensive backs, Line backers, and special teams recruiting statistics.  Rivals does the ratings on a  1-5 star basis and rates up to a 6.1 level.

Linebackers

#42 Ryan Alliston, Lake Orion, MI (Lake Orion), *** star, 5.7/6.1 rivals rating, #29 Wr, #4 player overall in michigan in 2005.  Selected MSU over UCLA, WISC, B.C, COL, G TECH and K ST

#55 Adam Decker, Rochester Hills (Brother Rice), ** st ar, 5.2/6.1 rivals rating, N/R nationally, #18 player overall in state of Michigan in 2005.  Selected MSU over B.C, G TECH 

#50 Steve Gardiner, Dublin, OH (Coffman) *** star, 5.5/6.1 rivals rating, #67 LB in the nation, #47 player overall in Oh in 2008.  Selected MSU over  OH ST, NW, PITT, SY, VANDY, WV, CINCI and IND

#43 Eric Gordon, Traverse City, MI (West) **** star, 5.8/6.1 rivals rating, #13 LB nationally, #2 player overall in Michigan in 2006.  Selected MSU over MISS, CMU

#53 Greg Jones, Cincinnati, OH (Archbiship Moeller H.S), *** star, 5.7/6.1 rivals rating, #38 ILB nationally.  Selected MSU over MINN, MARSH, MIAMI-OH, WMU, CINCI and AF

#36 Jon Misch, Waterford, MI (Orchard Lake St. Mary's) ** star, 5.1/6.1 rivals ranking, N/R Nationally, selected MSU over EMU

#54 David Rolf, Piqua, OH (Piqua) ***star, 5.5/6.1 rivals ranking, #48 player overall in Ohio in 2008.  Selected MSU over ORE, UTAH, VANDY, CMU, EMU, and AF

#44 Josh Rouse, Newton ,CT (Valley Forge Military Aca) ** star, 5.1/6.1 rivals rating, Selected MSU over N.W, ILL

#48 Drew Stevens, Delaware, OH (Olentangy) ** star, 5.2/6.1 rivals ranking, N/R nationally.  Selected MSU over KENT ST, AKRON, and TOLEDO

#51 Jamiihr, Williams, Lima, OH (Trotwood-Madison) ** star, 5.4/6.1 rivals ranking, N/R Nationally or in the state.  Selected MSU over AKRON, BUFF, EMU, MARSH, MIAMI-OH, and CINCI

Future:  Michigan State has right now 3 linebackers for the 2009 recruiting class.  I am very impressed with all 3 of these linebackers.  Denicos Allen, Hamilton, OH (Hamilton) ***star, 5.6/6.1 rivals ranking, #36 LB nationally, #33 player in OH overall. Selected MSU over NW, PSU, PUR, WISC, IND, IA, STAN, LOU.  Allen looks like a grown man already.  I am very impressed with his physique at the age he is.  TyQuan Hammock, Fort Wayne, IN (Arch Bishop), ***star, 5.7/6.1 rivals ranking, #33 ILB nationally, #5 in the state of Indiana overall.  Selected MSU over MINN, CMU, IND, LOU.  Hammock had a monster senior year for Arch Bishop.  He is a powerful hitter and is the team leader for a defense that shut out 5 of their opponents during the season.  Last is the best linebacker recruit out of  the bunch.   Chris Norman, Detroit, MI ( Renaissance) **** star, 5.9/6.1 rivals ranking, #5 LB in the nation, #3 player overall in the state of Michigan, Rivals top 250 recruit.  He is actually ranked #108 overall nationally.  He selected MSU over NW, PSU, STAN, PUR, WV, IL IA, and U-M.  Norman is a beast, his standing vertical is 40 INCHES.  That is higher than Jason Richardson and Maurice Agers vertical, and he runs a 4.6 40 yard dash.  I am really excited to see Norman in green and white

     Michigan State does have a commitment for the 2010 class,  Max Bullough.  He is from Traverse City, MI (St. Francis).  He will be a pre-season top 10 in-state player in Michigan.  Selected MSU over  UCLA, NE, STAN, and ND.  Another in-state player to watch is Austin Gray, Warren, MI (Fitzgerald), he currently holds offers from PUR, CMU and TOLEDO.  I honestly do not know if I have seen another LB in the class of 2010 hit as hard as this kid does.  Also spartan fans, remember PERCY and ERIC SNOW?  Their nephew Jewone Snow holds a offer  from MSU and ILL.  Also is Jamel Turner  Youngstown, OH (Ursulin), rivals preseason top 250.  Already has offers from MSU, OSU,ILL, LSU, U-M, NE, STAN, and WISC

 I have no affiliation with rivals, spartan mag, or any sports recruiting agency.  These are my own words, that I have  gathered throughout the years.

     I have interesting information on the Defensive Linemen for Michigan State.  Note: Rivals uses a 1-5 star rating basis and also rates players up to a 6.1 rating.

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN

#58 Trevor Anderson, Detroit, MI (Crockett), ** star, 5.2/6.1 rivals rating,N/R nationally, #19 player in Michigan in 2005.  Selected CINCI over B.G then transferred to MSU in 08 after being the big-east player of the year

#49 Dwayne Holmes, Detroit, MI (Ford), ****star, 5.8/6.1 rivals rating, #18 Ath in 2004, #36 player overall in Midwes, #5 player overall in Michigan.  Selected MSU over PUR, WISC and B.C

#91 Tyler Hoover, Novi, MI (Novi), *** star, 5.7/6.1 rivals rating, #19 Strong side DE, #9 player in Michigan in 08.  Selected MSU over U-M, PURDUE, VANDY, WISC, ILLI, MIAMI-FL

#93 Antonio Jeremiah, Hilliard, Oh (Darby), ****star, 5.9/6.1 rivals rating, #14 DT nationally, #4 player overall in Ohio in 2007.  Selected MSU over MINN, NE, WV, GA, and MD

#92 Ishmyl Johnson, Rahway, NH (Milford Aca) *** star, 5.6/6.1 rivals rating, #37 prep school player in 2007.  Selected MSU over SY, TEMPLE, PITT and ILL

#98 Micheal Jordan, Lansing, MI (Eastern Arizona College) **** star, 5.8/6.1 rivals rating, #24 J.C player overall.  Selected MSU over NE, TEX A&M, FL, MIAMI-FL

#94 Cameron Jude, Chesterfield, VA (Manchester) ** star, 5.2/6.1 rivals rating, N/R nationally.  Selected MSU over Marshall

#97 Justin Kershaw, Columbus , OH (Reynoldsburg) ** star, 5.2/6.1 rivals rating.  Selected MSU over MINN, B.C, CINCI, IND and KY

#47 Brandon Long, Canton, OH (Glen Oak) *** star, 5.5/6.1 rivals rating, #45 LB, #26 player in OH in 2005.  Selected MSU over AKRON, B.G, KENT ST, CINCI, IND, and IA.

#89 Colin Neely, Bethlethem, PA (Freedom) *** star, 5.5/6.1 rivals rating, #33 LB, and #29 player in PA for 2006.  Selected MSU over PSU, RUT,WV, PITT, B.C, IA. and MD

#96 Kevin Pickelman, Marshall, MI (Marshall), ** star, 5.2/6.1 rivals rating, N/R nationally, #33 player in Michigan for 2007.  Selected MSU over BALL ST, CMU, EMU,MIAMI-OH, N. ILL, TOL, CMU, CINCI

#70 Oren Wilson, Teaneck, NJ (Harmony Prep) *** star, 5.6/6.1 rivals rating, #36 prep school player and chose MSU over Cinci

#99 Jerel Worthy, Huber Heights, OH (Wayne) *** star, 5.6/6.1 rivals rating, #53 Dt overall, #30 player in Ohio in 2008.  Selected MSU over  NE, AKRON, MARSH, OHIO, CINCI

Future:  MSU does not have any commits out of a DT and only one commit right now at DE for 2009 class.   2009 commit is Strongside DE Dan France North Royalton, OH (North Royalton), *** star, 5.7/6.1 rivals ranking, #21 Strongside DE, #21 player overall in Ohio for '09.  Selected MSU over NC ST,NW, PUR, STAN, VANDY, IA, and IND.

     But the future looks bright for 2010.  Junior Strongside DE William Gholston is a monster from Detroit Southeastern.  I have not seen a defensive highlight film like his since Lamar Woodly, Robaire Smith, and Nick Perry's.  MSU is considered the lead for his services, he is a top 250 recruit and will be a **** star recruit also.  Look for him to be in the top 3 for the state of Michigan for class 2010, he might crack a ***** star, which would not surprise me.  This kid is the real deal!!  Gholson's teammate Johnathon Hankins at DT is a player I hope MSU receives a verbal from as well as Strongside DE Tremondae Branch from Flint Carman-Ainsworth is also worth watching also.  Also is Top Jr in Ego Ferguson,  Frederick, MD (St. Johns Catholic).  Will garner pre-season top 250 overall honors.  Has offers from MSU, TENN, OK ST, GA, MD, CLEM, ILL,NE, NC, BC, SC, DUKE, UCON, FSU and VANDY.

      Coming up: Michigan States Linebackers, Defensive Backs, and Kickers and Punters

 I have no Affiliation with any sports recruiting agency, rivals, or spartan mag

     Here are some interesting side stats on the Offensive and Defensive linemen for the Michigan State Spartan football team.  I am still waiting for any college football anouncers to use some of this information when they are introducing the players who are starting for each team!

     Rivals does a 1-5 star rating, and a 1.0-6.1 rating on each individual player.  Although I rarely see a player under 5.0, they are normally just considered N/R=not ranked if they are under 5.0 rating.

Continue reading this post »

I am currently going  through the returning/active roster for MSU football 2009 season.  This is my wish list of who I would like to see play based solely on-field production, and incoming freshman will be placed in the depth chart. NOTE: I will only go 4 deep at RB, the rest of the positions I will only go 3 deep. 

With the Offensive Line, I am basically going with what the depth chart was from the 2008 season.  Because, the development of a offensive linemen is different than any other position on any college football team.  Coaches have an idea of who is progressing, but offensive linement are like diamonds in the rough.  You can have a 2 star offensive lineman be a College All-American, likewise you can have a 5 star OL, be a flop.  Predicting the depth chart of the OL is the most difficult for me with this blog.

 ** Starters are in Bold**

OFFENSE:  Power- I or Pro-Style offense

QB               

                         #9 Keith Nichol              6'2,  195 lbs,  4.68     Jr

                        #8 Kirk Cousins            6-3,  197  4.88  Soph/RS

                         Andrew Maxwell           6-3 192  4.90     Fresh

RB            

                     #41   Glen Winston          6-2  218     4.40        Soph

                              Edwin Baker           5-10 204      4.40        Fresh

                    #27   Andre Anderson     5-9   188     4.4         Soph/RS

                             Larry Caper             5-10  215      4.41        Fresh

TE         

                #83   Charlie Gant             6-4   252      4.89         Jr

                           Brian Linthicum       6-4   217  4 .72      Soph/Trans Clem

                  #85  Garrett Celek            6-4   252    4.6           Soph/RS

WR        

              #3 B.J Cunningham         6-2      205    4.52        Soph/RS

                #25 Blair White                6-1   215     4.63         Sr

                #6 Fred Smith                  6-2    218     4.4           Soph

WR        

              #2   Mark Dell                    6-2    188    4.51            Jr

               #82 Keshawn Martin       6-0   180    4.3            Soph

                       Bennie Fowler          6-2   185    4.6            Fresh

OT         

             #57   Rocco Cironi           6-6    308       5.25    Sr

               #64  Brendon Moss        6-6      287    5.0      Sr

              #75 Jared McGaha          6-6    290      5.1        Soph/RS

OT     

          #76   Mike Schmeding      6-8    320      5.3      Sr

            #77 J'Michael Dean          6-5   294       4.8     Jr

                   David Barrant              6-8     290    -.-      Fresh

OG   

         #67  Joel Foreman           6-3   308      5.74       Soph

         #64  Brendon Moss         6 -6    287   5.0      Sr

         #68   Ethan Ruhland       6-3     262      5.2      Fresh/RS

OG 

     #75 Jared McGaha           6-6   290     5.1     Soph/RS

        #66 John Stipek              6-5    298    -.-       Sr

        #61 Arthur Ray                6-3    300     5.3     Fresh/RS

Center  

            Nate Klatt                 6-4    286     5.4     Fresh

       #67 Joel Foreman      6-3   308     5.74       Soph/RS

       #65 Joel Nitchman      6-3    297    5.28      Sr

 DEFENSE: 4-3

Defensive End

     #58 Trevor Anderson  6-2  250  4.75    Sr

     #98 Micheal Jordan     6-5  287  4.8    Sr

    #92 Ishmyl Johnson     6-5  272    4.8       Jr

Nose Tackle

    #93 Antonio Jeremiah  6-5   318    5.05     Jr

    #70 Oren Wilson 6-3   288   -.-   Jr

    #98 Micheal Jordan 6-5   287   4.8    Sr

Defensive Tackle

    #70 Orrin Wilson 6-3   288   4.9    Jr

    #99 Jerel Worthy 6-3   305   4.9    Fresh/RS

          Blake Treadwell 6-2   270   -.-   Fresh

Defensive End

    #91 Tyler Hoover   6-7   268 4.57   Fresh/RS

    #92 Ishmyl Johnson   6-5   272   4.8   Jr/RS

    #94 Cameron Jude   6-3   240   -.-   Fresh/RS

LineBacker

    #43 Eric Gordon 6-0   224    4.57  Jr

           Chris Norman 6-2  207  4.5  Fresh

    #35 Marcus Webb 5-11  220   -.-   Sr

Linebacker

    #53 Greg Jones   6-1   222   4.6   Jr

    #34 Brandon Denson   5-11   222   4.5   Sr

     #50  Steve Gardinger   6-2   214   4.56   Freshman/ RS

Linebacker

     Chris Norman   6-2   207   4.5   Fresh

    #54 David Rolf   6-3   215   4.49   Fresh/RS

    Tyquon Hammock   6-1   227   4.7   Fresh

Cornerback

    #29 Chris L Rucker   6-2   190   4.5   Jr

    #9 Jeremy Ware   5-10   191   -.-   Sr

    #31 Ashton Henderson   5-11 182   4.43  Sr

Cornerback

    #5 Johnny Adams   5-11 165   4.4   Soph

    #39 Trenton Robinson   5-10 185   4.4   Fresh/RS

    #37 Ross Weaver   6-1   202   -.-   Sr

Strong Safety

    #40  Roderick Jenrette 6-1 195   4.5   Jr/RS

    #13 Charles Burrell 6-2   210   4.6   Fresh/RS

    #11 Marcus Hyde 6-0   199   4.6   Jr

Free Safety

    #30 Brynden Trawick 6-3   223    4.51  Fresh/RS

    #33 Dan Fortener 6-1  199   4.4  Sr

    #26 Jesse Johson   5-10   187   4.7  Jr

Punter

    Aaron Bates 6-0   190   5.0   Sr

Kicker

    #14  Bret Swenson  5-8  167   -.-   Sr

 Punt Returner

    #82 Keshawn Martin  6-0  180  4.3  Soph

Kick Returner

    #82   Keshawn Martin 6-0  180  4.3  Soph

     #41  Glen Winston * if he starts at RB, then I'd like Larry Caper based on that MSU coaches will not use their starting RB to return kickoffs or punts* 6-2  218  4.31 soph

or  Edwin Baker returning kickoffs if he is not starting as well   

 I have no affiliation with rivals, spartanmag, Staudt on sports or any sports recruiting agency