Hello, My Name Is: Travis Jackson

The first offensive line commitment and the first out-of-state commitment are one in the same. Columbus DeSales student Travis Jackson will wear green.

ANALYST RANKINGS
Scout.com gives our latest commitment 3 stars, calling him one of the top 30 offensive guard prospects in the country. Rivals appears to be a bit behind the ball on this one, having given him no ranking and no evaluation as of today. His offer list (keep reading) screams “four star material”.

ScoutingOhio ranks him the #31 player from Ohio in the class of 2010. ESPN gives their evaluation…

Has agility and balance in space, can block 2nd level defenders, displays good explosion on contact. Can pull and adjust to a moving defender. A little inconsistent finishing blocks but is aggressive. We would hope to see improved playing strength as his career progresses. Good quick set with the ability to anchor versus the power rush.

COMPETITION
One of the nicest offer lists for a “big ugly” that Dantonio has nabbed. Easily on par with those of Nate Klatt and David Barrent. This list includes schools from every major conference, the likes of Tennessee, Boston College, Kansas, Iowa, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, and Stanford.

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES
Some might be a bit concerned initially with a 255 guard in the Big Ten Conference. The latest reports have him coming in at 6-4/270. He has the frame to work his way up to atleast 300, and he’ll have the time to do just that. Let’s not forget our recent player development, people.

Ethan Ruhland was listed at 262, he is now at 287. Zach Hueter from 295 to 328. John Deyo 270 to 295. Chris McDonald 260 to 284. All four of these players will be redshirt freshmen this year, with lots of room still left to grow. Patience.

Pretty athletic for his size. Reports a 3.6 GPA.

MEDIA & LINKAGE
The media isn’t helping me out much tonight…(he’s numbero fifty-nino)

More highlights, this time from Ohio Varsity…

WWHMASI:
(When will he make a significant impact?) As with all offensive linemen, I think it’s best to take a redshirt here. If you don’t have a formidable two deep at any five positions, burn the ’shirt. Michigan State will have bodies, and he’s not going to be a more proficient lineman than anyone from the 2008 or 2009 classes the day he steps on campus.

WACRFWTK
(What a common recruiting follower wants to know) Lloyd Carr used to say you build from the ball out. It’s my firm belief that Michigan State had the skill players at most positions to hang tight with the likes of Ohio State and Penn State last season. However, they were obviously slaughtered up front.

The last two classes have been big, deep, and athletic on the offensive line. They will give Michigan State a chance to compete with those teams at the line of scrimmage. Doing this every year is the tricky bit. Jackson is a good start.

You’ll need to bring in a minimum of three o-linemen each year to compete, and I expect the staff to find room for four. The Spartans are probably done at guard but will most likely bring in a center and a second tackle.

As I mentioned in the Offensive Recruiting Breakdown, things are suddenly very promising here. I expect Schofner and Vitabile to be in the fold before its all said and done. Bringing in 12 offensive linemen over a period of 3 recruiting seasons would make for a stuffed cupboard.

A shot-putter and cross country/track runner, similar to Chris McDonald.

All nine commitments report GPA’s of 3.0 or higher.

Onto Michael Dennis tomorrow…

Michael Dennis Makes It Two In One Day?

That’s what one site is reporting. Here’s to hoping I have a busy weekend of blogging…

Travis Jackson Is A Spartan!

SpartanMag has broke the story. More on this very soon…

MSU vs. MSU, It May Not Be What You Expect

With the season opener against Montana State two months away many fans and sports writers are starting to break down the Spartan schedule and give their prognostications for the entire season. As a sports fan it is a natural tendency to speculate on what we believe will play out, and often with a jaded view. I’m no different, but maybe because I have seen so much over the last forty-six years of watching MSU football I have learned to temper my optimism. I’m not saying I don’t believe MSU will have a winning record in 2009, or that they won’t make a bowl game. My tempered optimism is more along the lines of expectations of how I believe things will play out.

Montana State: This should be by all intents a win for the Spartans. With Dantonio having to replace Hoyer, Ringer and the entire right side of the offensive line, don’t expect much in the way of fireworks offensively (unless it comes in the form of long running plays by Spartan backs).

MSU will most likely play a very vanilla offense that will look to establish the run. Dantonio wants to get his offensive line as much opportunity to work on technique in run blocking. This game will be more about developing cohesiveness among the starting five that can only be acquired in games. Blocking will be at its most basic form with a sprinkling of a few traps and sweeps, but straight ahead power football is what can be expected.

The Spartans will employ a large number of backs, with returning veterans and the two highly touted freshmen sharing equally in the work load. I fully expect four or more long runs (40 yards or greater) by the Spartan running backs, where they simply out run the defense after breaking the line of scrimmage. MSU should be able to amass more than 275 yards rushing as each candidate will get the opportunity to stake their claim to the starting position.

Everyone is going to be concentrating on the quarterback competition between Cousins and Nichol, and some may come away disappointed by what they see, or should I say don’t see. With two equally talented quarterbacks many would assume that come September 5th, Spartan Stadium will be filled with passes. Maybe against CMU or Notre Dame, but on this day I don’t expect the ball to be put in the air more than 20 times. Most of the passes will be of intermediate distance (15-20 yards) with the possibility of each quarterback entitled to make one deep throw. I also don’t expect to see either of these two using the read option to gain yards. Any running they do will be a result of scrambling while avoiding pressure. Most of the afternoon will be spent handing off to the running backs and winning the battle of time of possession.

This is a game where MSU’s physcial superiority and athleticism should allow Dantonio to play it close to the vest and win by simply wearing an opponent down by running the ball 90% of the time. Dantonio is not the type of coach that will dileberately run up a score on a lesser opponent, and by keeping it on the ground MSU should be able to score more than enough to win by four scores without embarrassing them.

Defensively MSU will run a lot of bodies into the rotation for a couple of reasons. One is to allow some of the redshirt and true freshman to get a taste of live competition, and the other to keep fresh bodies out on the field as it will likely be a hot and humid day on the field.

I rarely if ever predict a shut out, but the MSU defense has its best opportunity to do just that in the opener, especially if the Bobcats fall behind early and are forced to pass.

Testing My Blogging Popularity

I talked to someone from the Michigan State ticket office today. As it turns out, the Michigan game is scheduled as a WHITEOUT. Exciting, eh?

Let’s make it a good one; Notre Dame this past year was wonderful. Now everytime you visit the site, you’ll have a gentle reminder. We’ll see if I can make any sort of impact (I doubt it).

Offensive Recruiting Breakdown: 7/8

Quarterbacks

Projected Need: 1

Commitments: Joe Boisture

No more guessing games. After the Robert Bolden drama, Michigan State picks up Joe Boisture. He has been told he will be the only quarterback signing with Michigan State, so bearing strange circumstances, close up shop here.

Runningbacks

Projected Need: 1

Commitments: Nick Hill

When Michigan State takes the field versus Montana State, they will have 6 runningbacks in the program with freshman or sophmore eligibility. It’s getting tough to sell playing time at this position, and when you think about it: Would you rather the Spartans sign 4 offensive linemen or 2 runningbacks?

I’ll take the former.

The staff may find it hard to shun Erick Howard if he becomes available, and Austin White could spurn the Wolverines to sign in East Lansing. But neither appear to be likely possibilities at this point, and just one would be the number.

At fullback, it doesn’t appear the coaching staff is chasing any top prospects. Look for a player on the defensive side of the ball to be moved to fullback by Sept 2010, if not earlier. Steve Gardiner, Jamiihr Williams, and Denzel Drone are all names being thrown around on the all-knowing message board circles.

Wide Receivers

Projected Need: 2

Commitments: Tony Lippett

Too much talent, not enough space. That’s what the staff has to be thinking at this point. Most would be content with just one wideout in this class, but with names like Tony Jones, Shakim Phillips, and Dyjuan Lewis all still available, expect another name or two to be added at this spot.

Jones knows Joe Boisture personally, having played together in wee-pee football. Stanford and Northwestern appear to be the top competition for this Grand Blanc native. Phillips reportedly has a close relationship with Boisture as well, and the Spartans have made his first cut (5 or 6 schools remain).

Fred Smith and Donald Spencer were big names, but going national for a top-50 player like Phillips would be a major statement. Of course, Mark Dantonio has to start recruiting him first. Still, his genuine interest inspite of any sort of full court press from Michigan State is promising.

Tight Ends

Projected Need: 1

Commitments: None

When signing day 2009 (well, 2010) rolled around, Mark Staten was ecstatic. “6 is the number we aim for [at this position]“, he said. Fastforward to present time and Michigan State is stuck behind its grand number yet again with the transfer of David Duran.

This is a position where you don’t really know what you’re getting until camps come around. A pair of Jersey ends in have Spartan offers in Kevin Haplea and Jarrett Darmstatter, but I’d expect the next addition at this position to be a camper we are yet to hear from.

Offensive Linemen

Projected Need: 4

Commitments: None

From worrysome to promising in the course of a few days, the Spartans look strong for a few top prospects. This position seems to find itself with more attrition than any other, whether that is due to injuries or burnouts, making it vital to sign -at a minimum- three offensive linemen in each class.

The clear difference between Michigan State and the Ohio State’s and Penn State’s of the Big Ten is talent on the lines. The difference between the Florida’s and LSU’s versus the Ohio State’s and Michigan’s -cliche or not- is the speed on the lines. Perhaps Mark Dantonio is looking to kill two birds with one stone this recruiting season, as he recruits some leaner, quicker road graders in this class.

That’s not to say Ken Mannie and company won’t look to bulk these men into 300lb monsters. However, making a 270lber into a 300lber is usually much easier than going from 330 to 300.

Many believe Ohio Guard Travis Jackson will be in the fold by the end of the weekend (myself included), and Tackles Skyler Schofner and Michael Dennis are reportedly MSU-leans. NJ C Brandon Vitabile is taking in the sights this week.

The idea when you sign a runningback the size of Nick Hill is to give him some big tackles to hide behind. Dennis and/or Schofner would fit the bill. Lowell Guard Connor Kruse has made waves at camps and is a darkhorse for an offer.

July Status Report

Call me a couple weeks ago, and I was terrified. As I mentioned in the Defensive Recruiting Breakdown, this will be a defensive oriented class. This side isn’t quite as exciting to discuss.

I also mentioned in that piece that Mark Dantonio has yet to sign a “highly regarded 300-lb ready-made nose tackle”. Offensively, Mark Dantonio has yet to nab a receiver quite the caliber (in the recruiting world) of Shakim Phillips.

Michigan State has addressed its priorities, depth is continuing to be built, and more is likely coming after the weekend. Stay tuned.

Are You Dying For Spartan Football Tidbits?

I’m working on getting the roster updated from last years measurables to this years. Dion Sims arrived to camp at a monsterous 6-6/268. Some freshmen numbers have begun to get linked out…more as they come.

Edwin Baker – #4
David Barrent – #79
Larry Caper – #22
Dana Dixon – #12
Dan France – #97
Jeremy Gainer – #47
Jairus Jones – #22
Nate Klatt – #72
Chris Norman – #10

I plan to have an Offensive Recruiting Breakdown coming sometime tomorrow. 59 days til kickoff, hang in there.

The Best Of Dantonio’s First Two Seasons

3 Most Important Plays
1. Adam Decker stuffs Shonn Greene (Iowa, 2008): The only play that literally determined the outcome of a game. With 2:16 left, down 16-13, Kirk Ferentz decides to run the ball on 4th and 1 deep in MSU territory. Stuffed!
2. Ryan Allison to Kellen Davis (Penn State, 2007): Even as the Spartans refused to give up, their efforts for a comeback looked fruitless, down 24-7 in the 3rd. Hoyer hands off the ball to Devin Thomas from the PSU 25 yardline, who reverses to Ryan Allison. After narrowly avoiding pressure, Allison finds Kellen Davis at the one yard line between two Nittany Lions. The Spartans would score two plays later, beginning their 17 point comeback. Sneaky! (1:50)
3. Brian Hoyer to Mark Dell (Michigan, 2008): Despite grossly outplaying them on the field, Michigan State found itself down 21-14 to the Wolverines. With time winding down in the 3rd quarter, the Spartans look at a 3rd and 12 from midfield. Brian Hoyer avoids early pressure, rolls left, and finds Mark Dell near the Michigan 5 yard line for a 44 yard catch. A score came two plays later and they never looked back. Terrible Music Warning! (2:57)

3 Most Exciting Games
1. Northwestern, 2007: This one wasn’t supposed to be a barn-burner. MSU came into the game 4-1, NU 2-3, with the line in Vegas set at 14.5.

At no point through more than 60 minutes of play were these two teams more than 7 points from eachother. The final score was 48-41, by the way. If you look at the scoring summary, the Cats struck first, Spartans second, Cats third, and this back and forth trend continued for all 13 scores.

When it was all over, CJ Bacher had thrown for a record 520 yards on 49 passes, Michigan State had run for 287 yards on 32 carries (that’s 9 yards per), 4 punts were recorded, and two extra points missed.

Everyone had been saying the game after the first loss would prove crucial for Michigan State. Coming off a loss to Wisconsin the past week, this was a chance to burn the “SOS” tag. And for that, this game could also come in as the #4 Most Devastating Loss.
2. Wisconsin, 2007: People seem to forget all about this one. Notre Dame would be Dantonio’s first test at Michigan State, but the Wisconsin game would tell if his bunch could play at championship levels in year one.

Well, they failed the test, but put on quite a show in the progress.

This game was just littered with big plays, think Devin Thomas’ 80 yard touchdown catch, Javon Ringer weaving between traffic for 70 before being caught by Jonathan Casillas, a 64 yard touchdown pass from Tyler Donovan to Kyle Jefferson, a 56 yard run back by David Gilreath, 2 interceptions, 1 slap fight, and a whole lotta fun. That about sums it up. Spartans fall 37-34.
3. California, 2008: Jeez, way to round this up with 3 losses. But as dissapointing as it was, it’s tough to leave this one out. If a 38-31 final score doesn’t get your attention, maybe Mark Dell’s 202 receiving yards will. Or 6 (six) plays that went for atleast 42 yards.

3 Most Program-iest Wins
1. Penn State, 2007: An easy choice. The Nittany Lions were the first Top 25 team Mark Dantonio defeated at Michigan State, making the win monumental in itself. More importantly, a loss would leave bowl hopes firmly in doubt. A 17 point comeback on senior day will be remembered for years to come.
2. Wisconsin, 2008: After handling Michigan, our boys looked content and unmotivated on a gloomy day. The Iowa game was bad, but this one was the first game in quite some time where Michigan State was just flat out dominated and managed to find a way to win. Final rushing yards: Wisconsin – 281 Michigan State – 25. The final three scores came at the hands of Michigan State, however, with a 25-24 final.
3. Michigan, 2008: The Wolverines were in disarray, sitting at 2-5. The Spartans had big words from Mark Dantonio to back up from the previous game, and a “culture war” to win. That makes it big. Michigan State was coming off its first loss of more than 7 points under Dantonio, and fighting for its title hopes. That makes it a must win. As pressure built late in the game, Brian Hoyer and co. remained composed and sealed the win with big plays late.

Hello, My Name Is: Nick Hill

Four commitments in 11 days? Add Nick Hill and make it five in 16.

ANALYST RANKINGS

Rivals gives him 3 stars, calling him the #10 all-purpose back in the nation. SpartanMag ranks him as the #12 player in the state of Michigan. Scout gives him 3 stars and puts him as the #30 runningback in the nation.

And I never thought I’d say this, but thank god for ESPN, as they bring a unique perspective to Hill as a player…

Its hard not like the production you see from Hill on film, this guy is constantly gaining positive yards and seems to consistently be running downhill. He lacks great size but utilizes his shorter stature and low center of gravity to his advantage picking and sliding through traffic with good balance and vision. A very sturdy yet shifty runner who never gives defenders a clean shot on him. Has good feet and vision. Has a very strong, compact frame and wide base but it’s his leg drive and determination that stands out. He never stops his feet from moving and finishes each carry. While sudden through the hole, he does appear quicker than fast.

COMPETITION

It appeared Hill was Stanford-bound before his latest offer. Also holds offers from Toledo, Central, Eastern, ya know…all those MAC schools. Seems like a very good fit in Ann Arbor physically, and the no offer is puzzling to me.

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES

Despite his size (5-7/184), Hill prefers to go right up the middle. His persistence and ability to run through dead-ends is impressive. Possesses great burst but not necessarily break-away speed. Has four letters in his first name and four letters in his last name.

Wait, what? Yes. He reminds me of Mike Hart. I said it. Many are trying to downplay this comparison, but criminy, he even looks like him. Idolizes him.

With big time attention from Jim Harbaugh and the Stanford Cardinal, Hill has proven himself to be more than solid in the classroom, reporting a 3.2 GPA.

MEDIA & LINKAGE

From Allen Trieu, click for speed:

The 5′7, 185-lb Hill has been one of the most prolific running backs in Michigan over the past few seasons, rolling up over 4,700 yards over the past three seasons. “I’ve had a lot of time to think about it and it feels right,” Hill explained. He received his offer from MSU after running a 4.35 at their camp a few weeks back.

Matt Dorsey and Josh Hemdolt of SpartanMag and The Wolverine respectively, call Hill the #6 player in the state Detroit Free Press:

Hill uses his 5-6, 180-pound frame to hide behind offensive linemen, waiting for a hole to develop, much the same way (Mike) Hart did. One difference, though, is Hill has legitimate 4.4 (in the 40-yard dash) speed and the ability to take any carry the distance.

MLive broke the commitment after talking to his high school coaches:

“I wanted to go there because it’s a top-notch education and this is a program on the rise,” Hill said. “The coaching staff, they’re all in it for the right reasons. They’re doing the right things. It’s a family feeling.”

Named the Ann Arbor News Player of the Year: Ann Arbor News

“It would be easy for him to be the star, big-headed or difficult to be around,” coach Brad Bush said. “But, across the board, he’s a kid who’s extremely well-liked.”

WWHMASI:

(When will he make a significant impact?) This is probably the toughest call thus far for the 2010 group. A year or two ago, we would be wowing at Nick’s speed. Well, we still are. But as Mark Dantonio collects more and more young players like Keshawn Martin, Chris D. Rucker, Johnny Adams, and Bennie Fowler, all of whom have speed to burn, it becomes less and less of a necessity for a player like Nick Hill to play on special teams from day one.

With capable players like Anderson, Leggett, Ray, Baker, Caper, and Winston all ahead of him in the backfield, look for him to take a redshirt in 2010.

WACRFWTK

(What a common recruiting follower wants to know)

Thought Mark Dantonio would start to move his focus out of state after winning the Michigan recruiting battle in ‘09? Keep dreaming. He’s clearly sticking to his guns with several viable foreign options still available at tailback.

Hill grew up loving the Wolverines. A quick commitment from him rather than a drawn out process waiting for “bigger” offers is obvious progress.

This addition is significant because there is no player on the roster quite like Hill. His quickness and cutting give an interesting compliment to the Baker/Caper duo, yet he packs alot of strength in his small frame, posting a 330lb bench max with a 580lb squat. Add in some gaudy high school statistics (2,290 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns as a junior), and there is excitement for his arrival.

It makes for an interesting situation for the 2010 class. Can Michigan State really fit in another runningback? And for that matter, does it want one?

It’s hard to imagine Dantonio passing on a Roderick Smith, Braylon Heard, Austin White, or Andre Givens. But if the staff strikes out on plan A’s, I wouldn’t expect them to explore second options.

Hill intends to be one of several early enrollees for the class of 2010.

Nick Hill to Michigan State

This according to MLive. More on this tonight…

Rivals.com Profile
Scout.com Profile