Take 5 With: Andrew Maxwell

In addition to Larry Caper, I also sent a message to Andrew Maxwell early in the week. I didn’t mean to get greedy, I had just assumed that neither of them would reply, for various reasons. So I figured, the odds of getting one interview would obviously go up if I sent something to both of them. And what do you know? Both of them replied within a few hours and were very willing. Isn’t that awesome? Again, big props to both of these guys for taking time to answer these. Thanks again Andrew and Larry!

Q. Any player you model your game after or maybe even compare yourself too? I’ve heard you were a big fan of Drew Stanton.
I am a fan of Drew Stanton I admire his toughness and leadership and the way he could get a team to rally around him. I wouldn’t say I model my game after anyone in particular but I like watching anyone who is truly talented at the position and pick up a thing or two here and there.

Q. We’ve heard alot about Coach Dantonio. But how is he personally? Can you talk about how he is one on one and how you and your family responded to his ethics and values?
The man is one of the calmest, most relaxed conversationists I have ever been around and that puts you at ease when you are talking to him and you can truly communicate that way. His ethics and values are things that are really irreplacable and are something that hit home for me because I was able to see him as a person and not just a football coach and that is critical.

Q. What does your family think of your decision to attend Michigan State, have they always been spartan fans? What did they tell you to look for in a school?
My family is thrilled about my decision and they have supported it the entire way. Both of my dad’s parents are MSU grads so we have been Spartan fans my whole life. They told me to look for the place that best fits me academically as well as athletically and most importantly the place that just feels right at the end of the day.

Q. Judging by your exceptional GPA, academics are obviously very important to you. Where does that come from? What do you plan on majoring in at Michigan State and do you have any plans to enroll early?
Academics are something that I have always held in high regard because they are something that carry on in life long after football or any other activity for that matter. I really don’t know what I want to study yet, I am just trying to find something that truly interests me and I will know when I find it. I do not plan on enrolling early partly because my credits aren’t in line to do it and I also have a few year-long duties to fufill at my school.

Q. The 2009 class, by all accounts, is already one of the best to hit Michigan State in some time. Being the guy under center, how is your relationship with the other members of the class and what do you guys talk about accomplishing during your time at Michigan State?
I would say I have a good relationship with the other recruits; I have been in pretty constant contact with almost all of the commits so far. Some things that come up when we talk are the Rose Bowl, Big Ten Championships, and other big accomplishments like that.

Take 5 With: Larry Caper

Managed to get ahold of Larry Caper and he was very willing to answer a few questions for us. Sounds like a great young man, we can’t wait til he officially steps on the field. Thanks again for your time Larry!

Q. Any player you model your game after or maybe even compare yourself to?
A. I really can’t say that I model my play after someone. Instead I combine attributes that I like about a variety of players and make one “superback” that can do it all. I love how Adrian Peterson gets right down field, but still has the ability to bounce it to the outside. No one comes close to my boy LT who can do it all. LT is the person that I would compare myself to most because of his exceptional play, but more importantly how many lives he affects off the field daily.

Q. We’ve heard alot about Coach Dantonio. But how is he personally? Can you talk about how he is one on one and how you and your family responded to his ethics and values? I’ve heard his faith was a big plus for your family.
A. If I was ever to make a coach from scratch, I would model him after Coach Dantonio. He is very easy to talk to which makes it easier to get through the recruiting process, college, and life. Faith is very important to me, and with Coach D sharing that same urge to get closer to Christ made my decision even easier. After asking God to direct my path, MSU was the way to go for me and I have no regrets.

Q. Are you already at your ideal weight? How much do you weigh in at today, and where do you want that number to be at by the time the 2008 season starts, as well as when you first step on campus as a freshman at Michigan State in 2009?
A. I really don’t know what weight I want to be at. As long as I am strong, powerful, quick, and fast I don’t care if I get to 230. I think 220 solid would be a pretty solid weight and still being able to run a 4.4 forty.

Q. Talk about what you expect off the field at Michigan State. Do you have any family/friends/teammates that attend/attended Michigan State? Academically, what do you plan to major in and do you have any plans to enroll early?
A. I expect to step into a locker room full of brothers who will show the little brother around campus and show me the ropes. I have lots of family around the Lansing area, so I’ll still have that love from the family nearby. Whenever I enroll into MSU, I would probably be studying Physical Therapy, really haven’t made my decision yet.

Q. Fans are excited about watching the Caper-Baker duo. How big of a draw was it after watching Ringer-Caulcrick this past year and what have the coaches told you about both you and Edwin getting on the field?
A. There is enough love to go around. The Dynamic Duo of Caper-Baker will have chills running down opposing Coaches backs. Teams will have a hard time trying to stop us. By having players with our potential will allow us to live up to our potential and better.

Kickoff times set for first three games

The Michigan State athletic department announced today the kickoff times for the first three home games of the season. The spartans host Eastern Michigan on September 6 at 12:00 PM EST. This can be seen on the Big Ten Network.

The following week Michigan State hosts the defending Sun Belt Conference champion Florida Atlantic Owls, this game will kickoff at noon as well but will be televised on the ESPN network (Either ESPN or ESPN2).

Notre Dame will trip to East Lansing for the final game of a three game homestand on September 20, the kickoff has been announced for 3:30 PM EST. As always, it can be seen on ABC. Michigan State has defeated the Fighting Irish 8 of the last 11 times they have met.

MSUSpartans.com

Personally I was hoping for the Notre Dame game to be at night like the last two times. Does this mean the Ohio State, Purdue, or Wisconsin games will be under the lights? Guess we’ll see.

Montana State in 2009, What’s up with that?

When it was first reported by The College Football Palace that MSU would kickoff the 2009 football season by hosting Montana State, many (including myself) were skeptical. I mean, how reliable does that website actually look anyway? Not very.

The Michigan State ticket office recently sent an email with information about how to buy 2008 season tickets to 2007 season ticket holders. Inside was this poster, and the bottom right hand corner displays the 2009 season schedule. Maybe they were just looking to have the schedule filled out so they could send these ads out, maybe it’s a placeholder until they can find another opponent. But in reality, if the ticket office has this posted and sent out to thousands of students and alumni, it’s gotta be pretty close to a done deal.

My initial reaction: Dissapointment.

I honestly don’t even know exactly who to blame. I hear these schedules are made years in advance, yet we did switch Western Michigan before Bowling Green seemingly several months before the 2007 season. Whoever is to blame, it’s disappointing to say the least. I don’t want to sound arrogant by saying we’re “above” playing D1-AA schools, but Michigan State was respected by it’s peers for not having scheduled one of these chumps as a near guaranteed victory. Paying upwards of $50 to watch the spartans take on a school with approximately 12,000 students is not fun at all for the fans. Some even called our scheduling a ‘tradition’. Personally, I took alot of pride in it.

Some have been wondering whether or not Michigan State is the last D-1A school to schedule a D-1AA school. Well, here’s all 118 other schools and the D-1AA schools they have scheduled (This just going back to 2002):

Air Force: Wofford, South Carolina State
Alabama: Western Carolina, Western Carolina
Akron: Liberty, Howard, Cal Poly
Arizona: Northern Arizona, Northern Arizona, Northern Arizona, Stephen F. Austin, Northern Arizona
Arizona State: Eastern Washington, Northern Arizona
Arkansas: Missouri State, Southeastern Missouri State, Chattanooga
Arkansas State: Southern Utah, Tennessee State, Southeastern Missouri State, Tennessee Martin,
Army: Holy Cross, Massachusetts, Virginia Military Academy, Rhode Island
Auburn: Western Carolina, Western Kentucky, Western Kentucky
Ball State: Indiana State, Indiana State, North Dakota State
Baylor: Samford, Sam Houston State, Texas State, Samford, Northwestern State, Texas State
Boise State: Portland State, Sacramento State, Weber State
Boston College: Massachusetts, Maine, Massachusetts
Bowling Green: Tennssee Tech, Eastern Kentucky, Liberty, Southeastern Missouri State
Brigham Young: Eastern Illinois, Eastern Washington
Buffalo: Lehigh, Colgate
California: Sacramento State, Portland State
Central Michigan: Sam Houston State, New Hampshire, Southeastern Missouri State, North Dakota State
Cincinnati: Rhode Island, Western Carolina, Eastern Kentucky, Southeast Missouri State
Clemson: Furman, Citadel, South Carolina State
Colorado: North Texas, Montana State
Colorado State: Weber State, Montana State, Weber State, Georgia Southern
Connecticut: Murray State, Liberty, Rhode Island, Maine
Duke: Western Carolina, Virginia Military Academy, Richmond
Eastern Michigan: Southeastern Missouri State, Southern Illinois, East Tennessee State, Western Illinois
East Carolina: None
Florida: Western Carolina, Western Kentucky
Florida Atlantic: Southern Utah (Since entering D1a in 2005)
Florida International: Western Kentucky (Since entering D1a in 2005)
Florida State: Citadel
Fresno State: Portland State, Portland State, Weber State, Sacramento State
Georgia: Northwestern State, Georgia Southern, Western Kentucky
Georgia Tech: Samford, Samford, Samford
Hawaii: Eastern Illinois, Appalachian State, Eastern Illinois, Northern Illinois, Charleston Southern
Houston: Sam Houston State, Grambling State, Texas Southern
Idaho: Eastern Washington, Montana, Idaho State, Cal Poly
Illinois: Illinois State, Florida A&M, Eastern Illinois, Western Illinois
Indiana: William & Mary, Indiana State, Nicholls State, Southern Illinois, Indiana State
Iowa: Northern Iowa, Montana
Iowa State: Tennessee Tech, Northern Iowa, Northern Iowa, Illinois State, Northern Iowa
Kansas: Missouri State, Jacksonville State, Appalachian State, Northwestern State, Southeastern Louisiana
Kansas State: Western Kentucky, Eastern Illinois, McNeese State, Massachusetts, Western Kentucky,
Illinois State, Missouri State
Kent State: New Hampshire, Cal Poly, Youngstown State, Liberty, Southeastern Missouri State, Deleware State
Kentucky: Murray State, Idaho State, Eastern Kentucky
Louisiana-Lafayette: Northwestern State, Northwestern State, North Carolina A&T, McNeese State
Louisiana-Monroe: McNeese State, Stephen F. Austin, Northwestern State, Northwestern State, Alcorn State, Grambling State
Louisiana Tech: Nicholls State, Central Arkansas
Louisville: Murray State
LSU: Citadel, Western Illinois,
Marshall: Appalachian State, Hofstra, William & Mary, Hofstra, New Hampshire,
Maryland: Wofford, Citadel, Wiliam & Mary, Villanova
Memphis: Murray State, Tennessee Tech, Chattanooga, Chattanooga, Jacksonville State
Miami (FL): Florida A&M, Florida A&M
Miami (OH): Indiana State
Michigan: Appalachian State (heh)
Middle Tennessee State: Southeastern Missouri State, Florida Atlantic, Tennessee Tech
Minnesota: Texas State, Illinois State, North Dakota State, North Dakota State
Mississippi: Citadel, Northwestern State
Mississippi State: Jacksonville State, Maine, Murray State, Jacksonville State, Gardner Webb
Missouri: Eastern Illinois, Murray State
Navy: Virginia Military Academy, Deleware, Northeastern, Deleware, Massachusetts, Deleware
Nebraska: McNeese State, Western Illinois, Maine, Nicholls State
Nevada: Southern Utah, Sacramento State, Nicholls State,
New Mexico: Weber State, Portland State, Sacramento State
New Mexico State: Western New Mexico, Southeastern Louisana, Southeastern Louisiana, Arkansas Pine-Bluff
Northern Illinois: Western Illinois, Tennessee Tech, Southern Illinois, Tennessee Tech, Indiana State, Southern Illinois
North Carolina: Wiliam & Mary, Furman, James Madison
North Carolina State: East Tennessee State, Massachusetts, Western Carolina, Richmond, Eastern Kentucky, Appalachian State, Wofford
North Texas: Nicholls State
Northwestern: New Hampshire, Northeastern
Notre Dame: None
Ohio: Northeastern, Southeastern Missouri State, Virginia Military Academy, Tennessee Martin, Gardner Webb,
Ohio State: Youngstown State
Oklahoma: None
Oklahoma State: Northern Iowa, Montana State, Missouri State, Sam Houston State
Oregon: Portland State, Montana, Portland State
Oregon State: Eastern Kentucky, Sacramento State, Portland State, Eastern Washington, Idaho State
Penn State: Youngstown State
Pittsburgh: Furman, Youngstown State, Citadel, Grambling State
Purdue: Illinois State, Indiana State, Eastern Illinois
Rice: Nicholls State
Rutgers: Villanova, New Hampshire, Villanova, Howard, Norfolk State
San Diego State: Eastern Washington, Samford, Idaho State, Portland State
San Jose State: Grambling State, Morgan State, Eastern Washington, Cal Poly, UC Davis
South Carolina: Wofford
Southern Methodist: Sam Houston State
Southern Mississippi: Jackson State, McNeese State, Southeastern Louisiana, Tennessee-Martin,
South Florida: Charleston Southern, Nicholls State, Charleston Southern, Tennessee Tech, Florida A&M, McNeese State, Elon
Stanford: UC Davis
Syracuse: Rhode Island
TCU: UC Davis,
Temple: Richmond, Villanova
Tennessee: None
Texas: Sam Houston State
Texas A&M: Texas State, Citadel, Montana State
Texas Tech: Sam Houston State, Indiana State, Southeastern Louisiana, Northwestern State
Toledo: Cal Poly, Liberty, Western Illinois, McNeese State, Liberty
Troy: Southern Utah, Florida A&M, Austin Peay, Southeastern Louisiana, Cal Poly, Alabama State,
Tulane: Southern, Northwestern State, Florida A&M, Southeastern Louisiana, Southeastern Louisiana
Tulsa: Texas State, Stephen F. Austin,
UAB: Jacksonville State, Alcorn State
UCF: Liberty, Villanova
UCLA: None
UNLV: Idaho State
USC: None
Utah: Northern Arizona
Utah State: Idaho State
UTEP: Sacramento State, Cal Poly, Sam Houston State, Weber State, Texas Southern, Texas Southern
Vanderbilt: Furman, Chattanooga, Richmond, Tennessee State, Richmond,
Virginia: None
Washington: None
Washington State: Grambling State
Western Kentucky: West Virginia Tech, Eastern Kentucky, Chattanooga, Morehead State,
Western Michigan: Indiana State, William & Mary, Tennessee Martin, Southern Illinois, Central Connecticut State
West Virginia: Chattanooga, James Madison, Wofford, Eastern Washington
Wisconsin: Western Illinois, Citadel
Wyoming: Citadel, Montana State, Appalachian State

This means that the only schools that haven’t played a D1AA team to date are: Michigan State, East Carolina, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Tennessee, UCLA, USC, Virginia, and Washington. Noone gives a damn about East Carolina, who has seemingly only been in D1A for about a decade. Oklahoma and Virginia have D1AA teams on tap for 2008. After 2009, East Carolina, Notre Dame, Tennessee, UCLA, USC, and Washington will be the only D1A programs yet to schedule a D1AA. That’s rather elite company. It’s just too bad Montana State had to be added.

Also thought I’d mention, by my count: D1A teams are 323-33 vs D1AA teams. The losses being: Iowa State - Northern Iowa (2007), Rutgers - Villanova (2002), Rutgers - New Hampshire (2004), Indiana - Southern Illinois (2006), Michigan - Appalachian State (2007), Minnesota - North Dakota State (2007), Northwestern - New Hampshire (2006), Marshall - New Hampshire (2007), Rice - Nicholls State (2007), UTEP - Cal Poly (2003), Army - Holy Cross (2002), Navy - Deleware (2003), Navy - Deleware (2007), Ball State - North Dakota State (2006), Buffalo - Leigh (2002), Buffalo - Colgate (2003), Central Michigan - North Dakota State (2007), Eastern Michigan - Western Illinois (2003), Northern Illinois - Western Illinois (2002), Northern Illinois - Southern Illinois (2007), Ohio - Northeastern (2002), Temple - Villanova (2003), New Mexico - Portland State (2006), Idaho - Eastern Washignton (2003), Idaho - Montana (2003), Louisiana-Lafayette - McNeese State (2007), Louisiana-Monroe - McNeese State (2002), Louisiana-Monroe - Stephen F. Austin (2003), Louisiana-Monroe - Northwestern State (2003), Louisiana-Monroe - Northwestern State (2004), Middle Tennessee State - Southeastern Missouri State (2003), Middle Tennessee State - Florida Atlantic (2003), and Stanford - UC Davis (2005).

Oh and by the way, props to the PAC-10 as they seem to schedule less of these schools than other conferences.

Edison Vushaj picks up MSU offer…

This kid has been saying all along that an offer from Michigan State would all but end his recruitment. He’s a 6-5/232lber with 4.6 speed. He’s been told the offer is at Tight End but that could change to Defensive End as the class fills out. Give it a couple weeks, I think he is next on board. For reference, he’s from Wixom, Michigan and attends Walled Lake High School.

Edison Vushaj - Rivals.com Football Recruiting

Which Freshmen Will Redshirt?

Recruiting on the defensive side of the ball was obviously very lackluster under John L. Smith, and numerous JUCO’s and some attrition didn’t help matters at all. Thus, Coach Dantonio was only able to redshirt one-third of our 2007 defensive recruiting class. I mean, the depth on the D-Line and Linebacking core was atrocious. While there was some solid depth in the defensive backfield for the first time since seemingly 1999, it simply lacked talent. Here’s what that class looked like (bolded names redshirted):

DT Antonio Jeremiah
DE Ishmyl Johnson
LB Greg Jones
DE Michael Jordan
DE Kevin Pickleman
CB Chris L. Rucker
DT Ryan Wheat
DT Oren Wilson

Jeremiah, Wilson, and particularly Jones received alot of playing time and those three look like stars in the making. Rucker looked like the best cornerback on the team early before he had to have eye surgery following the Wisconsin game. He made it back for the Boston College game and looked good with the exception of a couple plays (One of which wasn’t his fault off of a horrid no-call).

Ishmyl Johnson didn’t make it to campus until early this year, and he is supposed to be ready for this coming season. Michael Jordan came in very highly thought of but struggled to find a position. Let’s all hope the coaches find somewhere for him because 6-6/300 with his athleticism could turn out to be a huge waste. But anyway, back on topic. My point in all of this is, Coach D has proven he won’t be stubborn about redshirting players. If they are good enough to make a contribution, they will play. If depth is lacking, they will play. Depth and talent on the defensive side of the ball are increasing fast, but I still expect a fair amount of freshmen to play early, perhaps one or two on the offensive side of the ball as well.

Obviously, three players are virtually guaranteed to get some early PT: WR Fred Smith, DE Tyler Hoover, and CB/KR/PR Johnny Adams. We’re really only going to have four receivers to work with this year coming back (Curry, Dell, Cunningham) and Fred Smith certainly has the talent to play right away. We also lack the depth at DE. Also Hoover is another great talent and is a monster physically at 6-7/275. He had an impressive spring, as did Johnny Adams. This young man is already one of (If not the) fastest player on the team and you can’t keep speed like that on the sidelines. He’ll get time at cornerback as well as a returnman.

This is where it becomes a bit more complicated. Backup runningback was a very interesting position this spring, noone seemed to stand out or step up in any way. Jimmerson, Anderson, and Leggett are all talented however so I’ve got to imagine one of them shows the coaches something in August. If so, Winston and Ray will both get ’shirted. If one has to come in I think it will be Ray, though I believe Winston will be the better back in the future. Drew Steven will definitely use this year to find a position.

The coaches would love to redshirt Keshawn Martin and get some muscle on him, but I believe ultimately his skills will prove to be too much to keep off the field. He’s an amazing athlete, folks. Myles White will definitely redshirt this season. The coaches would like to see Martin gain a bit of weight, but White needs to put some serious pounds on. He checks in at about 160.

All four offensive linemen will take this year to get stronger and learn the system of course. Chris McDonald isn’t neccesarily going to end up on the O-Line, but you can bet this will be his year to find a position on the practice team. Cameron Jude had a whopping 41 TFL’s last season and I think he’s being undervalued by fans. None the less, at 235 he’s a definite redshirt. I can see him making noise in a few years. Give him some time. The coaches have been raving about Jerel Worthy’s motor, but I think this is a Ryan Wheat like situation. With Jeremiah, Wilson, Kershaw, and Wheat in the rotation, he’s not gonna find anything but mop-up time this coming year.

The most interesting position of all is definitely linebacker. Steve Gardiner, David Rolf, and Jamiihr Williams will all make cases for early PT. Many Ohio recruiting analysts had great things to say about Williams, but nationally he flew under the radar. At about 225, he has the size to play behind Greg Jones right away at Mike. Physically David Rolf is probably the most impressive of the three at 6-5/220 /4.5. But based on playing ability alone, Steve Gardiner stands at #1 from what I’ve seen. To quote Coach D on signing day when he compared him to A.J. Hawk, “He isn’t the biggest linebacker or the fastest linebacker, but he’s the best linebacker”. Because of the great praise by this coaching staff, I’ll call for Gardiner to play this year. Rolf’s 117 tackles (28 TFL’s), 6 sacks and 3 INT’s stood out to me and I think he’ll get time as well. At the least, one of these three will play. I’m calling for two. Williams will redshirt this coming year.

In the defensive backfield, Trenton Robinson is certainly a project and he’ll need a few years to get significant action. I think we’ll see one of Burrell and Trawick. With Jenrette, Wiley, Hyde, and Fortener, that’s some solid depth. While Trawick will be excellent from day one in run support, he’s a bit of a project still in coverage. Whether it’s at safety or third string QB, Dantonio will look to get Charles Burrell involved early.

For those of you counting at home…

CB Johnny Adams
FS Charles Burrell
OL John Deyo
LB Steve Gardiner
DE Tyler Hoover
OL Zach Hueter
DE Cameron Jude
WR Keshawn Martin
ATH Chris McDonald
RB Caulton Ray
CB Trenton Robinson
LB David Rolf
OL Ethan Ruhland
WR Fred Smith
ATH Drew Stevens
SS Brynden Trawick
WR Myles White
LB Jamiihr Williams
ATH Glenn Winston
OL Anthony Woods
DT Jerel Worthy
(Bolded will redshirt)

This is more just flat out predictions than analysis, but I’ll be sure to bump this at the end of the year and see how I fared. Should be interesting.