Another Recruiting Post at ABDFF

You can check out my post on Demetrious Cox at ABDFF.  Enjoy.

See Madaris Post at ABDFF

As most of you likely know by now, Monty Madaris committed to MSU this morning.  I have posted about Madaris at ABDFF.  Enjoy.

See New Post at ABDFF

I was asked by A Beautiful Day For Football to contribute some posts to their blog.  Here is the first of what will hopefully be many.  It is a post tracking how various Spartans are doing in relation to the NFL draft.  Enjoy.

No Go on Holtz

Well, JP Holtz chose Pitt over MSU.  I tell ya, we just don't win head-to-head battles this year.  Oh well, I think Holtz was a bit of a luxury, anyway.  MSU already has 2 tight ends committed and they're pretty loaded at every other position Holtz could have played (i.e., defensive end and outside linebacker).  I guess the good thing is that at this point the Spartans can focus on some bigger needs, like getting another running back and another defensive tackle.  But even those aren't really major needs.

Madaris May Also Commit on Wednesday

There's word that Ohio wide receiver Monty Madaris might also (along with JP Holtz) be making his final decision tomorrow.  Madaris appears set to decide between Cincinnati and MSU.  It would be great to get Madaris and Holtz, but regardless of whether we do or not, tomorrow could go a long way towards wrapping up the recruiting class.  If both commit, the Spartans would pretty much be finished with this class, except that they might still take a guy like Demetrious Cox, Kyle Dodson, or Jaleel Johnson.  If neither commits, I think they probably make an offer to guys with a high probability of committing: guys like Terrell Jackson (defensive tackle), Jaxon Hood (defensive tackle), or Marcus Horne (running back).

Spartans Close to Getting Another Tight End

The Spartans could be close to netting their next recruit.  Pennsylvania's JP Holtz is set to make his decision this Wednesday evening.  He is a highly regarded tight end and outside linebacker, that could also end up playing defensive end.  He visited MSU on January 13, and it looks like he has narrowed his choices down to MSU and Pitt.  Holtz would be an excellent pick-up, but I won't say much more about him until he actually commits.  We've lost quite a few of these head-to-head battles this season, so I've learned my lesson.

Spartans Get Their Defensive Tackle

It looks like the recruiting wheels are finally turning again.  The Spartans now have a commitment from Oregon defensive tackle David Fennell.  Folks, there's not much info available about this guy; he is about as under-the-radar as you get.  Only 247 and ESPN have rated him, and they both give him 3 stars.  Other than that, we know he has good size (6'3" and 275 lbs) and according to ESPN he received offers from Iowa, Central Michigan, Oregon State, Louisville, and Nevada.  So you could think to yourself, "man, this sounds like the Spartans just settled for whatever they could get."  Well, judging from his video highlights, nothing could be further from the truth.   

Folks, this guy seems to have all the tools to eventually become a dominant DT: size, strength, quickness, and relentlessness.  I realize he may be going against weaker competition, but you can still see that he has size and quickness.  Competition doesn't affect those things.  Competition also doesn't affect his relentlessness.  This guy keeps working hard, even when the play seems to have gone far away from him. You can see him never quitting and making tackles that it seems he shouldn't have been there to make.  I realize these are highlights, but I can't help but think that Fennell is one of the most exciting recruits for 2012.  I can't wait to see what he does by his second year in the program.

So now the Spartans have 16 commits, and as I mentioned in the previous post, Mark Dantonio said the Spartans would take between 16 and 20 guys.  I suspect the Spartans will end up with 18, and my guess is that they wrap up with Madaris and Holtz.  I could see them going for 20 only if Kyle Dodson and Jaleel Johnson want to commit at the last moment.  In any case, I am quite happy with today's results.

Spartans Get Their Safety

The Spartans were clearly interested in acquiring a safety in the 2012 recruiting class and now they have one.  Ohio safety Mark Meyers just switched his commitment from Toledo to MSU.  Meyers appears to be a solid prospect at the position.  He has good size (about 6 ft and about 180 lbs) and good athleticism (runs the 40 in 4.46).  He's relatively well-regarded by most recruiting sites; they all consider him a 3-star recruit (except 247, which only gives him 2 stars).  On the other hand, he doesn't have an impressive offer sheet.  He had offers from most MAC schools, but not from anyone else, really.  According to several sources, though, it appears that grades may have scared several schools away.  Needless to say, he seems to have addressed his grade issues.

I can't find video highlights from 2011 for Meyers, but here are some highlights from 2010:

I can't say Meyers looks all that explosive or fast, but this is supposedly video from a year ago.  He does look like he will be a solid tackler, and perhaps even a hard hitter.  He also seems to have good instincts.  You can see him anticipating well where the action is going.  He also has the height and athleticism to make plays in the air.  In general, he looks like he could become a solid safety by his second or third year in the program.

Well, the Spartans now have 15 commits, and Dantonio recently said they were looking to take 16 to 20.  I think they'll only get close to 20 if guys like Kyle Dodson and Jaleel Johnson decide to commit at the last moment.  Then they'll move heaven and earth to find a spot for those guys.  Otherwise, I think they will now end up with under-the-radar defensive tackle David Fennell (who the Spartans just offered and who has pretty impressive video), Monty Madaris, and JP Holtz.  I think that would be an outstanding way to finish off the class.

Speculation on How MSU Will Finish Recruiting Class

There have been a few changes since my last "recruiting notes" post.  In that post I highlighted the following guys:

- David Perkins
- JP Holtz
- Tevin Coleman
- Demetrious Cox
- Monty Madaris
- Kenny Lawler
- Bam Bradley
- Jordan Diggs
- JaMichael Winston
- Kyle Dodson

- Jordan Diamond

I also suggested that the Spartans would finish up with Coleman, Holtz, and an unnamed junior college defensive tackle.  Well, we can now scratch Coleman out.  He committed to Indiana.  We can also scratch out Perkins (who committed to Ohio State), Diggs (who committed to South Carolina), and Lawler (who looks set to stay out west).  

There is still a high probability that Holtz joins the class.  Supposedly, MSU and Pitt are his finalists.  It's also looking more and more likely that Madaris will join the class.  He's coming back for another visit this weekend and there's word that he could make his decision this weekend.  The Spartans also seem determined to bring in a safety.  I think they would love to take Cox or Bradley, but they have also started looking elsewhere, at guys like Georgia safety Jordan Moore.  Cox is visiting OSU this weekend, so he may be off the board soon.

Pie in the sky

There's also word that MSU will receive official visits from Dodson and another big name: Jaleel Johnson.  The Spartans are not as needy at OT, but Dodson is a sufficiently outstanding talent that if he wants to commit, the Spartans will surely take him.  It adds a little intrigue that he is currently committed to Wisconsin.  Chances are slim, but you never know.  

Johnson is a 4-star defensive tackle currently committed to Iowa.  He may have decided to take a visit because he figured out that MSU has a need at DT and early playing time is likely.  He would be an enormous get for MSU, so again, chances are kind of slim.

So my updated prediction for the final 3 spots (there may be 4 spots) are: Holtz, Madaris, and Bradley/Moore.  It would be nice to be able to say they'll get Dodson or Johnson, or both, but let's keep it real.

OSU's Recruiting

Just a quick note here about a topic that burns me up.  How in the world is it possible that Ohio State has recruited 22 players (and they could end up with 25 or more) when they're supposed to be surrendering 9 scholarships over the next 3 years?  They'd better have a really small class next year or I will declare this whole NCAA sanctions thing a travesty -- not that my voice matters one bit, and of course it's a travesty (long before I declare it to be so).

Anyway, OSU's recruiting success is affecting MSU pretty directly, and badly.  They flipped Se'Von Pittman, they just got David Perkins, they may also end up with Bam Bradly, and possibly even Monty Madaris (if they make him a last minute offer).  There are probably several others I'm too lazy to look up or even think of at the moment.

Oh well, as I've said many times before, MSU makes up for the lack of 4-star recruits by doing an excellent job of developing talent.  Still, it would be nice to get a few more guys like Will Golston.

Spartans and the NFL Draft

Folks, the Spartans that are leaving for this year’s NFL draft have already given MSU and its fans so much.  They gave us back to back 11-win seasons and so many memories, but now they have a chance to make one last contribution to the program – at the same time that they help themselves.  You see, if they do well in the draft, recruits will take notice of that, and that will only help make recruiting easier for Dantonio and the coaches.  It’s a little too early to do more than speculating, but then speculating can help us get ready to organize the information that comes in as various Spartans hit the NFL combines.  Here’s a list of Spartan seniors and early departures:

42            Todd Anderson        FB            6-2           265          SR            Napoleon, Mich. - Napoleon

85            Garrett Celek          TE            6-5           252          SR            Cincinnati, Ohio - LaSalle

8              Kirk Cousins             QB           6-3           205          SR            Holland, Mich. - Holland Christian

3              B.J. Cunningham     WR          6-2           215          SR            Westerville, Ohio - Westerville South

67            Joel Foreman          OG           6-4           315          SR            Highland, Mich. - Milford

88            Brian Linthicum      TE            6-5           245          SR            St. Louis, Mo. - Clemson

82            Keshawn Martin     WR          5-11         189          SR            Inkster, Mich. - John Glenn

75            Jared McGaha         OL            6-6           298          SR            Powell, Tenn. - Powell

7              Keith Nichol            WR          6-2           220          SR            Lowell, Mich. - Oklahoma

69            Blake Pacheco         DL            6-1           264          SR            Salinas, Calif. - Monterey (Calif.) Peninsula College

96            Kevin Pickelman      NT           6-4           288          SR            Marshall, Mich. - Marshall

73            Arthur Ray Jr.          OG           6-3           299          SR            Chicago, Ill. - Mount Carmel

39            Trenton Robinson   S              5-10         195          SR            Bay City, Mich. - Bay City Central

16            Chris D. Rucker        WR          5-9           178          SR            Detroit, Mich. - Detroit Country Day

20            Kyle Selden             P              6-5           199          SR            Waterford, Mich. - Our Lady of the Lakes

47            Adam Setterbo       FB            6-3           245          SR            Spring Lake, Mich. - Spring Lake Senior

81            Brad Sonntag          WR          5-8           176          SR            Saginaw, Mich. - Nouvel Catholic Central

57            Johnathan Strayhorn               DT            6-0           272          SR            Detroit, Mich. - Oak Park

4              Edwin Baker            RB           5-9           210          JR            Highland Park, Mich. - Oak Park

99            Jerel Worthy           DT            6-3           310          JR            Huber Heights, Ohio – Wayne

I think it’s safe to say that the Spartans should actually do pretty well in the NFL draft.  Jerel Worthy should have a shot at the first round, and possibly at becoming a top-20 pick – we’ve been hearing that all year.  Apart from Worthy, guys like Trenton Robinson, BJ Cunningham, Joel Foreman, and Kirk Cousins should all have a shot at going somewhere between the 3^rd and 5^th rounds.  These players are a great testament to MSU's ability to develop talent, considering that all these guys were 2-star recruits (except for Cunningham who was a 3-star recruit).

Then there are several other guys who didn’t have huge years (statistically) but who could perform well enough at the NFL combines to get drafted in the later rounds.  I’m talking about guys like Keyshawn Martin, Edwin Baker, Kevin Pickelman, Keith Nichol, Garret Celek, and Brian Linthicum.  In my opinion, Martin, Baker, and Linthicum have the athleticism and skill to perform well enough at the combines to even move up into 4^th and 5^th round territory.  Again though, it's interesting to note that Martin, Pickelman, and Celek were all 2-star recruits, and Linthicum was a 3-star recruit.

We're going to have to wait and see how these guys perform over the next couple of months, but one thing we can say for certain is that MSU is very good at developing NFL-level talent.  Makes you wonder what MSU could do with classes consistently full of 4-star recruits.  Perhaps if the Spartans pull off another 11-win season next year, we won't have to wonder much longer.  

MSU Football Program is Now Elite

Friends, you and I know that the Spartans now have an elite football program.  We've seen the product on the field, we've seen how talented they are, we've seen them dominate some of the best programs in the country -- if I have one concern, it's that they lost to a team they dominated (Wisconsin in the B1G championship) and almost lost to another team they dominated (Georgia in the Outback Bowl).

Well, now it's not just us that recognizes the eliteness of Spartan football.  Several sports media outlets now have high expectations for next year's Spartans.   Kelly Whiteside at USA Today has the Spartans ranked number 6, Andy Staples at Sports Illustrated has the Spartans ranked number 6 in his "Way-Too-Early 2012 Top 25,"  Mark Schlabach has the Spartans ranked number 9, and Dave Miller at the National Football Post has the Spartans ranked number 9.  They're all kind of saying the same thing: that MSU is losing key players but returning 8 starters on defense and LeVeon Bell on offense.  My favorite take, though, is Staples' comment that:

"If a Big Ten program is going to challenge an SEC power before Urban Meyer gets things rolling at Ohio State, it's going to be Michigan State."

I've been thinking the same thing myself -- except for the part about Ohio State.  I don't think MSU's 2012 team would be able to beat this year's Alabama and LSU, but I think they could beat just about anyone else in the country.  Actually, the defense would probably hold its own against Alabama, but the offense is not quite there yet.  As I've mentioned before, though, I think MSU's offense will get there by 2013.

In any case, as I said after the Outback Bowl, the Spartans are now clearly a top 10 program, and now others are beginning to recognize that.  Why are we so blessed?

A Look at Next Year: Coaches

The final unit I want to look at in the “look at next year” series is the “coaching unit.”  Now that defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi is coming back, the likelihood that there will be changes in next year’s coaching staff are minimal.  In fact, the staff we had this year is pretty much the staff we’ll have next year.  Here’s the list of coaches:

Mark Dantonio - Head Coach

Pat Narduzzi - Defensive Coordinator

Dan Roushar - Offensive Coordinator

Harlon Barnett - Secondary

Ted Gill - Defensive Line

Brad Salem - Running Backs/Recruiting Coordinator

Terrence Samuel - Wide Receivers

Mark Staten - Offensive Line

Mike Tressel - Linebackers/Special Teams

Dave Warner - Quarterbacks

Tim Allen - Director of Football Operations

Dino Folino - Director of Personnel/Player Development

Tommy Hoke - Assoc. Head Strength & Conditioning Coach

Brad Lunsford - Director of Executive Football Operations

Ken Mannie - Head Strength & Conditioning Coach

Archie Collins - Graduate Assistant / Defense

Randy Gillon - Speed Coach

Of course, the big guy is back; Mark Dantonio is returning for his 6th season as head coach.  As I’ve said many times before, and I’ll say it again, MSU is beyond fortunate to have found Dantonio.  He is an elite coach who is willing to stay in East Lansing to build an elite program, even while he could be making tons more money elsewhere.  I once thought of Dantonio as MSU’s Barry Alvarez: a guy that would come in and win 9 games a year and lay the foundations so that the next guy could take the program to really elite status.  Well, I was wrong, and I’ve never been so happy to be so wrong.  Dantonio is no transition figure; he IS the elite coach, the guy that could win a national championship at MSU. 

Honestly, I pinch myself twice a day and like SNL Bears fans I wonder: “why are we so blessed?”  Could it be the heart attack that he suffered last year altered his plans?  Perhaps he intended to leave, but the heart attack made him wonder if he might only be coaching for another 5 to 7 years.  Why go somewhere else, if you only have 7 years of coaching left?  Folks, I don’t know the answer to such questions.  All I can tell you is that I hope Dantonio stays and coaches for another 10 years (though I have a strong hunch that he will probably only coach for 5 more years), and I hope that if another school ever tries to pull him away with more money, that MSU will come through with a counter offer that keeps him here the remainder of his career. 

Apart from Dantonio, we also know that the coordinators will both be back.  Pat Narduzzi will be back to lead the defense and consequently I am expecting a big year for the defense.  Narduzzi has clearly has come a long way, going from a guy who just the year before didn’t garner much attention (if anything, he garnered a fair share of complaints) to a guy who is now reportedly being offered three quarters of a million dollars to leave MSU and who will probably become a head coach by the end of the next season.   Anyway, unless his success was somehow connected to the success of Jerel Worthy and Trenton Robinson (and I don’t think that’s the case), I expect Narduzzi to have a great year. 

As for the offense, Dan Roushar should be back and I think he should end up being pretty good.  He seemed to experience some growing pains this year, and it probably didn’t help that the o-line struggled so much in the first half of the season.  The one issue that concerned me about Roushar was his inability to adapt to fast defenses.  Long after it became clear to a football novice like me that the Spartans would not be able to run outside the tackles on teams like Nebraska and Georgia, Roushar stuck stubbornly with runs to the outside.  He did seem to finally adapt in the second half of the Georgia game, but I wonder if Dantonio had something to do with that.  Anyway, if he can get over issues like that, and if the passing game doesn’t implode (considering that the Spartans are losing 90% of their passing game), Roushar should be pretty good next year.  He showed a lot of development and creativity throughout the season, especially in the B1G championship game. 

I won’t pretend to know much about the rest of the coaches, but I do want to single out two guys who seem to be doing an excellent job: Mike Tressel and Ken Mannie.  Mike Tressel is the linebackers and special teams coach, and while the special teams did pretty well this year, I’m most impressed with the development and play of the linebackers.  The linebacking unit was supposed to be decimated, losing All-American Greg Jones and veteran Eric Gordon.  But if anything, this year’s unit played at least as well and perhaps better.  I think it shows that Tressel is a pretty competent guy, and that might put him next in line to take over at defensive coordinator when Narduzzi leaves.

Ken Mannie is the head strength and conditioning coach and I think he’s a big part of why the Spartans are able to take so many low-rated recruits and turn them into NFL-level players.  Apparently, many other coaches have recognized Mannie’s talents.  Guys like Nick Saban and Jim Tressel tried to get Mannie to join their programs, but he has thankfully remained faithful to the Spartans. 

So that’s a quick summary of the coaching situation for next year.  We have continuity, and best of all, it is good continuity.  We’re not sitting here saying to ourselves, “gosh, I wish we could find someone else to take over that position.”  On the contrary, we are excited and thankful that everyone is coming back.

On Narduzzi

Sheesh, there's too much to write about this week.  I didn't want to write anything about the possibility of Narduzzi leaving until he actually left or stayed.  Anyway, he's staying and that's a good thing.  I don't think it would have been the end of the world if he left, but as we found out when Roushar took over for Treadwell, there are growing pains associated with replacing experienced assistant coaches.  I wouldn't want to go through those growing pains at the same time that they are losing two of their best defensive players: Jerel Worthy and Trenton Robinson.  The Spartans would have likely found an adequate replacement for Narduzzi, but the Nard-dawg has a chance to take next year's defense to even more elite heights.  It would be more comfortable for MSU if he left in 2013, the year I expect MSU's talent to be peaking.  In the meantime, Dantonio may want to get a guy like Mike Tressel (is he next in line?) more involved on defense, so that the transition to a new coordinator becomes as smooth as possible.

NFL Calling Spartans

It looks like the NFL is not finished attracting Spartans.  Of course, several seniors are going, and we found out yesterday that Jerel Worthy is going.  And today we find out that Edwin Baker will be trying his luck in the draft.  Since the Spartans are loaded at running back, I don't think Baker's departure will hurt the Spartans much.  But I don't think it's such a good move for Baker, himself.

It's possible that Baker received good feedback from NFL talent folk, it's possible that he thinks he could perform well at the NFL combines, or it's possible that he's not happy about his diminished role (now that LeVeon Bell has emerged).  Whatever the reason, I think he's taking a risk in leaving early, particularly because I think he would've had a big year next year and thus improved his stock.

Oh well, I really hope he kicks butt at the combines and I hope he does go in the top 3 rounds.  It would be great for him and for MSU's image as an NFL factory.

Thanks for the memories, Edwin.

Now I just hope no more juniors leave, because it's really going to start affecting the talent level of the team.  Cornerback Johnny Adams is the next possible departure.  If he leaves, Tony Lippett would probably stay at cornerback, instead of moving permanently to receiver.  That would likely mean that the Spartans would be really interested in bringing in another receiver.  So I guess that's the bright side of this.  The Spartans likely will be able to take an additional 2 recruits, bringing the total 2012 recruiting class to about 19 or 20 players.  That would allow the Spartans to take a few more of those propects I listed in my last post.

Recruting Notes: I Want Them All!

We are now less than a month away from signing day, so the recruiting season is rapidly and busily coming to a close.  The rumors are flying everywhere, so it's really hard to predict who will end up taking the last 2 or 3 spots.  Isn't that sad?  Now that DeAnthony Arnett is on board, I think the Spartans will only take 3 more guys; and yet, they have a shot at several great recruits.  Here's a quick list of 'em:

- David Perkins.  I thought the Spartans were out of it for him, but now it looks like he is planning to take an official visit to East Lansing on January 27.  Perkins is big and fast and will be able to play anywhere, though the Spartans seem to want to turn him into the next Denicos Allen.  He would be a huge get.

- JP Holtz.  He is a highly regarded tight end and outside linebacker.  I wouldn't be surprised if the Spartans are considering him a defensive end prospect.  He is expected to visit on January 13.

- Tevin Coleman.  He is a running back / safety prospect.  His film looks great.  He has already visited MSU and it appears that he will be getting a home visit from Dantonio, soon.

- Demetrious Cox.  He is a highly rated safety prospect and would be an excellent addition.  He has already visited MSU (several times, actually).

- Monty Madaris.  He is a 4-star wide receiver, whose chances of becoming a Spartan have decreased somewhat, now that Arnett is coming in.

- Kenny Lawler.  He is another 4-star recruit (a bigger version of Keyshawn Martin, in my view), whose chances of becoming a Spartan have probably also decreased somewhat.  However, he is supposed to visit MSU on January 14.

- Bam Bradley.  He is another highly regarded safety prospect, who is expected to visit MSU on January 20.

- Jordan Diggs.  He is another highly regarded safety prospect.  Probably less likely to pick the Spartans.

- JaMichael Winston.  He is a defensive end who is currently committed to Arkansas.  However, he is supposed to visit MSU on January 28.

- There's also talk that MSU is going after two big-time offensive tackle recruits: Kyle Dodson and Jordan Diamond.  But I won't put much thought into these two guys until I see that they are actually planning to visit MSU.

So, 2 or 3 of these guys will likely round out the Spartans' 2012 recruiting class.  Don't be surprised if they take only 2, since Dantonio also mentioned the possibility of bringing in a defensive tackle from a junior college -- to provide more experience at DT, now that Jerel Worthy is leaving.  My best guess (emphasis on guessing) is that they will end up with Coleman, Holtz, and a junior college defensive tackle.    Not bad...though I would really love to see Perkins end up in this class.  Anyway, we've got a month of great excitement ahead of us!

Worthy to NFL

It's being widely reported that Jerel Worthy has decided to forgo his senior year and enter the NFL draft.  I won't add much other than that it makes perfect sense when you consider his family's health issues and the risk a player of his caliber takes when they elect to play an extra year in college.  Apart from his outstanding play on the field, Worthy showed the younger guys what hard work can lead to. Worthy was a 2-star recruit who worked to become an almost certain first-round pick in this upcoming NFL draft.

Now that the wide receiver concern is being resolved (with the commitment of DeAnthony Arnett), I think defensive tackle has become the main concern for next year's team. As we saw in the Outback Bowl, Anthony Rashad White looks set to become the next Worthy. But other than that, the Spartans will be looking to replace Kevin Pickelman and Johnathan Strayhorn with 3 redshirt freshmen (Ramondo, Scarpinato, and Clemons). They will probably also keep offensive lineman Micajah Reynolds at defensive tackle.  Hopefully, Reynolds and the freshmen will emerge as adequate replacements.

The last thing I want to say here is THANKS, JEREL.  And kick some butt at the NFL combines!

Karma Comin for Wisconsin

Jim at A Beautiful Day for Football brought up the possibility that ever since Wisconsin's punter flopped to cost the Spartans a victory in the B1G championship game the whole of Wisconsin athletics seems to have been hit by a curse.  I think of it more as Karma...but anyhooo, here's something else that fits that theme.  It looks like the Badgers' football program is getting hit hard next year.  Not only will they be losing several key players (their record setting quarterback, Russell Wilson, and probably their All-American center, Peter Konz -- though it does appear that Montee Ball may come back), they will also be losing 4 assistant coaches.  Their offensive coordinator, Paul Chryst, will be Pitt's next head coach and he is taking a couple of assistants with him: o-line coach, Bob Bostad, and linebackers coach, Dave Huxtable.  Wide receivers coach DelVaughn Alexander is moving to Arizona State.

What this means is that -- unless they find themselves another Russell Wilson -- there is a high probability that Wisconsin will be considerably weaker next year.  If they win 9 games, I'll declare Bielema a genius.  What this also means in the long run is that I don't think Wisconsin will ever again have the combination of player and coaching talent that they had this year.  Chryst and Bostad's departure will probably hurt Wisconsin's most important area of recruiting: the o-line.  And they will probably also take a hit at recruiting linebackers and wide receivers.  So the upshot is that Wisconsin should be down next year, and it could actually be a few years before they can seriously compete for the B1G title.

Arnett Commits to MSU! Spartans Set at Wide Receiver

Well folks, no need to panic anymore about wide receiver next year.  DeAnthony Arnett has committed to the Spartans.  As I mentioned a couple of posts ago, Arnett was a top-10 receiver recruit in 2011.  He caught 24 passes for 242 yards this season as a freshman at U of Tennessee.  He should compete for and likely win a starting spot next year for the Spartans.

Arnett's commitment means the Spartans will now have a lot of talent at receiver, next year.  They have Arnett, Bennie Fowler, Tony Lippett, Aaron Burbridge, Juwan Caeser, and Keith Mumphery.  These guys won't have a lot of experience, but I think it's safe to speculate that this could end up being the Spartans most talented group of receivers ever.

The Spartans are also in the running for two 4-star wide receiver recruits:  Monty Madaris and Kenny Lawler.  Now, while I would love the Spartans to still take either Madaris or Lawler, I wonder what the coaches will do now that Arnett has committed.  They may accept the commitment of one more receiver, but they may decide not to push hard to get that commitment.

Hard to say.  But regardless, the great concern I had a couple of months ago about the wide receiver position is suddenly melting away.

A Look at Next Year: Special Teams

Continuing with the “A Look at Next Year” series, today I take a short look at special teams.  This is one of those units where a coach has a lot of influence over how the unit will perform.  We don’t need to worry about that.  Mike Tressel is the Spartans’ special teams coach, and as the nephew of Jim Tressel perhaps few people know better the importance of good special teams.  Under Mike Tressel’s watch the Spartans have had pretty sound special teams, and since there are no rumors that he will be leaving anytime soon, I expect that soundness to continue.

4   Dan Conroy  K      5-10  190  JR    Wheaton, Ill. - Wheaton Warrenville South
17 Kevin Muma  K     6-0    189  SO    Troy, Mich. – Troy
20 Kyle Selden   P     6-5     199  SR   Waterford, Mich. - Our Lady of the Lakes
3   Mike Sadler   P     6-0     182  RS   FR Grand Rapids, Mich. - Forest Hills Northern
20 Nick Hill        RB  5-7     180  RS   FR Chelsea, Mich. – Chelsea

It doesn’t hurt that the Spartans have most of their key pieces returning next year.  As we can see in the list above, Dan Conroy will be back next year as a senior and his backup, Kevin Muma, will be back as a junior.  Conroy was excellent this year, hitting 17 of 23 attempts, while Muma was 1 for 1. 

At punter, the Spartans are set for the next 3 years.  Mike Sadler will be back as a sophomore and he had a terrific year, averaging 41.1 points per game.  He should be even better next year.

At kickoff returner, Nick Hill will likely be back.  I say likely, not because he’s heading off to the NFL but because the only reason he wouldn’t be back as a returner is that he would be focusing more on the running back position.  Since the Spartans will be loaded at running back, again, Hill looks likely to be returning kickoffs next year. 

The one concern is punt returns.  For the past few years the Spartans have been relying on Keyshawn Martin to return punts, and he’s been spectacular at it, for the most part.  The Spartans probably won’t find someone that will produce what Martin did, but they should be able to find an adequate replacement.  Some explosive possibilities include: Nick Hill, Tony Lippett, and the incoming Nick Tompkins. 

The upshot is that MSU’s special teams should be sound again next year.  This should not be an area of concern.

Recruiting Note: DeAnthony Arnett

There's been a lot of buzz lately that DeAnthony Arnett (a top-10 receiver recruit in the 2011 class) has decommitted from the U of Tennessee and is now looking to play for MSU or UM.  The buzz seems to suggest that he'll end up at MSU, but we've been burned enough in this recruiting season for me to keep my excitement bottled up until he officially commits.

Anyway, Arnett is the Aaron Burbridge of 2011 -- the best receiver in the state of Michigan for his year, top 10 in the country.  He would be most welcome, and I'm pretty certain that he would win a starting spot next year.  His presence would go a long way towards resolving the Spartans' biggest concern for next year.

In general, the probabilities that the Spartans will solve next year's receiver problem are getting better and better.  Now the Spartans have a shot at 3 top receivers: Arnett, Monty Madaris, and Kenny Lawler.  I wouldn't complain if MSU took 2 of these guys.  That would give the Spartans 5 solid receivers for next year.

Spartans Have Arrived!

Folks, I'm euphoric, as I'm sure you all are.  The Spartans finally won a bowl game -- first time since 2001 and first time under Mark Dantonio.  This victory says so much about where MSU's football program is.  But first, let me quickly list off some brief points about the game.

- The Spartan defense played brilliantly.  Over 15 tackles for loss!  And 9 of Geogia's points came from special teams or their defense (the safety).  And another three of Georgia's points came off an interception near the Spartan goal line, where the defense was able to hold them to a field goal.  The one problem, as we all saw, was the long bombs Georgia was able to connect on.  Our secondary was getting burned.  So it was nice to see Darqueze Dennard come back with some big plays, including 2 interceptions.

- I loved seeing Anthony Rashad White having a big game.  Makes me feel better about losing Jerel Worthy -- though I still hope he will return.

- The Spartan offense was excellent -- in the second half.  Clearly, Georgia's speed was too much for the Spartans in the first half.  They could not run the ball outside the tackles, the receivers couldn't separate from their defenders, and Cousins was getting pressured.  In the second half, the Spartans finally stopped trying to run outside (although I thought Roushar was going to be stubborn with that, like in the Nebraska game), they went to their tight ends much more (especially Linthicum), and the line really gave Cousins a lot of time to throw.

- The special teams were excellent -- except for Boykin's punt return for a TD.  Conroy hit all his field goal attempts, Sadler frequently pinned Georgia back with his punting, and Nick Hill had some excellent kickoff returns.

My friends, MSU may take a step back next year -- because they will be losing several key players particularly in the passing game -- but this game showed us that MSU has arrived as a program.  Mark Dantonio has turned this program into a top-10 program that can compete with the best programs in the country.  Georgia was no slouch.  They were talented on both sides of the ball, and they will be one of top 5 teams in the country next year.  MSU dominated them and really deserved to win the game -- just like the B1G championship.

Admittedly, the Spartans were exposed a little.  We were able to see that if the Spartans are going to compete with the best teams in the country, they are going to need to address a few things.  Namely, they need a little more speed at wide receiver, running back, and cornerback.  And actually, judging from their 2011 and 2012 recruiting classes, it looks like they will have all those areas addressed soon.

The final thing I'll say today is that MSU has a chance to build something special here.  Dantonio is an elite coach, and he has a great staff.  Another 5 years of this kind of excellence and MSU will surely win a national championship and earn a reputation as an elite program -- perhaps like Alabama, Oklahoma, and LSU.  I hope nothing gets in the way of that in the next few years.

Impressions of First Half

- The defense is clearly doing their job, but clearly they need to watch for the big passing plays.
- Don't punt to Boykin!
- Run the ball up the middle!  They may not get 5 yards a carry, but at least they won't get tackled for losses like when they try to run to the outside.  Georgia's defense is too fast, like Nebraska's.  Man I hope Roushar makes the adjustment, or else it shows that he has some kind of blindspot when it comes to fast defenses.