MSU Football recruiting

[Spartanmack]

Good thing for him is he only has to sit behind Thorne for a year - if he beats out Kim and Houser.

 

[johnny2x2x]

Thoughts on crootin.

Weird cycle, and I think it's still going to be a very good class despite probably ending at 16 or 17 kids.

The WR we just took, Asiah Johnson, is a stud. Really love this get, he's big and fast and has great ball skills. We were always going to take 1 WR, Demetrius Bell was that guy for a bit, but his de-commitment is clearer now as he's going to go the JUCO route, grades aren't good enough to clear the NCAA minimums.

Jaelon Barbarin is an interesting pickup, newer to the RB position he has a lot to learn, right now he brings good instincts and blazing speed, ran a 10.37 100 meters last Spring. Don't see him as a pure RB, played WR as a junior. Fastest kid we've brought in in a very long time.

And then apparently, we took 4 transfers that are each PWOs. A TE for FCS who is a good athlete at 6-7. A TE/DE from Wisconsin who is from Rockford, MI. A CB from Wisconsin. And a kickoff specialist from North Carolina who was 12 for 12 on kicking it out of the end zone last year. The real meat comes soon with the portal, Texas Tech S Reggie Pearson is likely and he's a perfect fit to replace X Henderson. We're looking at adding a scholarship TE, DT, OT/OG, and CB at least.

The decommits have been odd too. Jonathon Slack was the first kid in the class. But he was no longer a take, he lost a ton of weight and he was already small, he was no longer starting on his high school team. He was originally 6-3, 280, so already on the light side, but he dropped to 250, we simply weren't going to take a 6-3, 250 lb O Lineman. Colton Hood is an Auburn legacy, that one sucks as we really liked him, but he wants to follow the family legacy. Edmundson was an MSU decision. We pulled the offer from the QB Edmundson, had a serious back injury and won't be a Power 5 QB. the OT from FL Clay Wedin wanted to stay closer to home and flipped to Auburn when they didn't even know who their coach was going to be.

Which brings us to Kedrick Reescano, he decommitted but since then we've gotten back in it. Tucker and staff have an in home with him tonight to close the deal, probably a 50-50 deal with Ole Miss. Our insiders think we lead, their insiders think Ole Miss does. Would be great to get him back. We'll know next week.

We made 5 star OT Samson Okunlola's top 4, but might be running 3rd behind Florida and Miami, he announces today at 4 pm.

Chance Rucker lost a few thousandths of a recruiting point yesterday and thus lost his 4th star.

On Sam Leavitt. Pretty crazy developments, he decommitted from WSU last night and is announcing his choice today. I would say this is a great find, but looking at that junior film, I don't know how this kid wasn't one of the most highly recruited QBs in the country. Has a cannon for an arm, a great release, has all the talent in the world. And that was his junior film, his senior film is why he's blown up. Glad he stayed hidden, he's an absolute gem.

Finish with Leavitt, Reescano, an OT, and another CB/S (Sean Brown will be him) from high school and it's a top 20ish class. Portal will add a DT, CB, S, and OL for sure.

The staff is the opposite of Dantonio's on offers. They pull offers after commitments. Dantonio would stick with kids and have non contributors on the bench for 4 years.

The portal guys are all no loss save for Germie Benard, he was penciled in as the starting X WR next Fall, hope other guys step up.

 

[Spartanmack]

Thoughts on crootin.

Weird cycle, and I think it's still going to be a very good class despite probably ending at 16 or 17 kids.

The WR we just took, Asiah Johnson, is a stud. Really love this get, he's big and fast and has great ball skills. We were always going to take 1 WR, Demetrius Bell was that guy for a bit, but his de-commitment is clearer now as he's going to go the JUCO route, grades aren't good enough to clear the NCAA minimums.

Jaelon Barbarin is an interesting pickup, newer to the RB position he has a lot to learn, right now he brings good instincts and blazing speed, ran a 10.37 100 meters last Spring. Don't see him as a pure RB, played WR as a junior. Fastest kid we've brought in in a very long time.

And then apparently, we took 4 transfers that are each PWOs. A TE for FCS who is a good athlete at 6-7. A TE/DE from Wisconsin who is from Rockford, MI. A CB from Wisconsin. And a kickoff specialist from North Carolina who was 12 for 12 on kicking it out of the end zone last year. The real meat comes soon with the portal, Texas Tech S Reggie Pearson is likely and he's a perfect fit to replace X Henderson. We're looking at adding a scholarship TE, DT, OT/OG, and CB at least.

The decommits have been odd too. Jonathon Slack was the first kid in the class. But he was no longer a take, he lost a ton of weight and he was already small, he was no longer starting on his high school team. He was originally 6-3, 280, so already on the light side, but he dropped to 250, we simply weren't going to take a 6-3, 250 lb O Lineman. Colton Hood is an Auburn legacy, that one sucks as we really liked him, but he wants to follow the family legacy. Edmundson was an MSU decision. We pulled the offer from the QB Edmundson, had a serious back injury and won't be a Power 5 QB. the OT from FL Clay Wedin wanted to stay closer to home and flipped to Auburn when they didn't even know who their coach was going to be.

Which brings us to Kedrick Reescano, he decommitted but since then we've gotten back in it. Tucker and staff have an in home with him tonight to close the deal, probably a 50-50 deal with Ole Miss. Our insiders think we lead, their insiders think Ole Miss does. Would be great to get him back. We'll know next week.

We made 5 star OT Samson Okunlola's top 4, but might be running 3rd behind Florida and Miami, he announces today at 4 pm.

Chance Rucker lost a few thousandths of a recruiting point yesterday and thus lost his 4th star.

On Sam Leavitt. Pretty crazy developments, he decommitted from WSU last night and is announcing his choice today. I would say this is a great find, but looking at that junior film, I don't know how this kid wasn't one of the most highly recruited QBs in the country. Has a cannon for an arm, a great release, has all the talent in the world. And that was his junior film, his senior film is why he's blown up. Glad he stayed hidden, he's an absolute gem.

Finish with Leavitt, Reescano, an OT, and another CB/S (Sean Brown will be him) from high school and it's a top 20ish class. Portal will add a DT, CB, S, and OL for sure.

The staff is the opposite of Dantonio's on offers. They pull offers after commitments. Dantonio would stick with kids and have non contributors on the bench for 4 years.

The portal guys are all no loss save for Germie Benard, he was penciled in as the starting X WR next Fall, hope other guys step up.

what about the guys that declared for the draft, Reed's a pretty big loss - 2 years in a row we lose our best player to early departure. And who can blame the kid? Hard to imagine anyone more disappointed than him after sticking around for unfinished business only to be massively let down by the rest of the team. Broussard, who was decidedly not electric is probably still a loss considering Berger is pretty average. Slade is a bit of a mystery - not sure why some people were so high on him or why he's declaring given he wasn't all that impressive when he wasn't hurt. I'd think after a season impacted by injury, he'd want a shot at improving his stock.

 

[Spartanmack]

and what's the deal with Houser? We've heard nothing on his progress, haven't seen him on the field but so far he's not transferring. Leavitt decommitted this morning which is a good sign, but I'm pretty sure we're still looking at another year of Payton Thorne - maybe he'll get benched now that Reed isn't around to make him look good unless Coleman can bail him out without Reed and Bernard.

 

[johnny2x2x]

what about the guys that declared for the draft, Reed's a pretty big loss - 2 years in a row we lose our best player to early departure. And who can blame the kid? Hard to imagine anyone more disappointed than him after sticking around for unfinished business only to be massively let down by the rest of the team. Broussard, who was decidedly not electric is probably still a loss considering Berger is pretty average. Slade is a bit of a mystery - not sure why some people were so high on him or why he's declaring given he wasn't all that impressive when he wasn't hurt. I'd think after a season impacted by injury, he'd want a shot at improving his stock.

Reed didn't leave early, he's leaving after playing 4 seasons and sitting out another. He'll be a late round pick if he runs a good 40 time. Slade was a beast when healthy. Late round pick too.

 

[johnny2x2x]

and what's the deal with Houser? We've heard nothing on his progress, haven't seen him on the field but so far he's not transferring. Leavitt decommitted this morning which is a good sign, but I'm pretty sure we're still looking at another year of Payton Thorne - maybe he'll get benched now that Reed isn't around to make him look good unless Coleman can bail him out without Reed and Bernard.

It's been stated it will be an open competition at QB and Houser already has some of the players behind him more than Thorne does. Houser has a pretty good chance to start, but even if he doesn't, he's going to get some series in a lot of games. Houser was a big time recruit, has an NFL release and arm. I do think Leavitt has more overall talent though. Having those 2 compete to start for 2024 is a pretty good situation.

Another recruit to watch for a commit from is JUCO 4 star OT, Keyshawn Blackstock, just visited MSU and apparently canceled the rest of his visits and is making a decision this weekend. #7 JUCO recruit in the country. 6-5, 310 and would immediately start at RT which might bump Brown o the bench or down to RG.

 

[johnny2x2x]

OK, now this is interesting from a Miami insider this morning regarding Samson:
"I?ve gotten a lot of pro-Miami buzz over the last few days and into this morning. There is still reason to feel very good about the Hurricanes. I?m not trying to sound off any alarms but it does sound like Michigan State - not Florida - is making things interesting heading into the afternoon. It?s something to keep an eye on and I will stay on top of what?s going on here in the closing hours. This is what happens in high-profile recruitments."

Chances went from 1% to 15% IMO.

 

[gotime909]

So I'm betting florida

 

[johnny2x2x]

So I'm betting florida

What I was thinking at first too. Florida insiders say they're out of it though and it's an MSU-Miami battle.

Still think it will be Miami, but you never know.

 

[Spartanmack]

Reed didn't leave early, he's leaving after playing 4 seasons and sitting out another. He'll be a late round pick if he runs a good 40 time. Slade was a beast when healthy. Late round pick too.

That's semantics, he left with another year of eligibility but why would he make use of it after what happened this season. And it also not the point. I'm not saying he shouldn't have, I'm saying he's leaving a big hole to fill - not something a late 3 star commit is likely to fill.

 

[Spartanmack]

It's been stated it will be an open competition at QB and Houser already has some of the players behind him more than Thorne does. Houser has a pretty good chance to start, but even if he doesn't, he's going to get some series in a lot of games. Houser was a big time recruit, has an NFL release and arm. I do think Leavitt has more overall talent though. Having those 2 compete to start for 2024 is a pretty good situation.

Another recruit to watch for a commit from is JUCO 4 star OT, Keyshawn Blackstock, just visited MSU and apparently canceled the rest of his visits and is making a decision this weekend. #7 JUCO recruit in the country. 6-5, 310 and would immediately start at RT which might bump Brown o the bench or down to RG.

85% of the players backed Bobby Williams for the head coaching job when Saban left. I don't think, and I hope the players don't have a big say in who the QB is going to be. I'd rather see the staff make a mistake and start the wrong guy than have them turn major decisions over to 20 year old kids, otherwise wtf are we shelling out $10mm a year for?

So Houser's now the number 2? what happened to Kim? He clearly beat out Houser for the backup spot unless they were trying to preserve Houser's redshirt.

 

[johnny2x2x]

Okunlola moved his commitment back to 5pm. Both Miami and MSU insiders have no idea and it's believed he might not even know who he's picking yet.

Sam Leavitt is announcing in the next couple hours too.

 

[johnny2x2x]

Also, 2024 4 star CB Jaylen Thompson is announcing December 27th, MSU is his leader, Tennessee, Michigan, Auburn, and Nebraska are his other finalists.

 

[Spartanmack]

Leavitt is a Spartan, just announced.

 

[Spartanmack]

Okunlola is a Hurricane. I knew there was no way we were getting two Sams in one day. I'd prefer it was the other way around but it could have been worse.

 

[Spartanmack]

The class moves to 27 with Leavitt's commitment. Looks like the rankings update real time so I think I understand it now - we probably went from 47 to 39 w/ the first commitment y'day then from 39 to 33 with the second. I only saw the last update which is why it looked weird to me.

There are still 4 B1G teams ahead of us - Iowa (this appears to be a quantity thing) and the 3 teams in our division that always out-recruit us.

 

[gotime909]

The class moves to 27 with Leavitt's commitment. Looks like the rankings update real time so I think I understand it now - we probably went from 47 to 39 w/ the first commitment y'day then from 39 to 33 with the second. I only saw the last update which is why it looked weird to me.

There are still 4 B1G teams ahead of us - Iowa (this appears to be a quantity thing) and the 3 teams in our division that always out-recruit us.

I think they'll be a few more additions this weekend. I read somewhere they're looking at a class of 16 hs recruits. Rb and OT I'm assuming for sure. I'm assuming they're holding more spots for portal kids.

 

[gotime909]

For making the playoff 2 years in a row, Michigan has a pretty blah class. Mostly 3 stars. Would've thought they'd clean up.

 

[JScottWriter]

Leavitt is a Spartan, just announced.

I guess having too many qbs is better than not having enough. Can?t believe he only weighs 185.

 

[johnny2x2x]

I guess having too many qbs is better than not having enough. Can?t believe he only weighs 185.

Leavitt is 6-2, 195 lbs.