Thursday, April 10, 2008
Sam Webb: Recruiting Detroit News
MSU gets phenom in Oak Park's Baker
When Michigan high school football talent evaluators began assessing running backs in the 2009 class prior to last season, the conversation started with Battle Creek Central's Larry Caper. Afterward followed a long pause. That pause existed because of the perceived gap between Caper and every other ball carrier in the junior crop.
Little did anyone know, Oak Park High School was home to one of the state's hidden gems. Future Michigan State Spartan Edwin Baker, affectionately called "Rock" by family and friends, didn't have Caper's name recognition, but he knew he was every bit as talented.
"My sophomore year I was kind of nervous because it was my first games in high school," he recalled. "I told myself at the end of the year, 'Don't worry about what nobody says. Keep focused and don't worry about what goes on around you.' "
Fast-forward to Baker's junior season, and that increased focus helped him to explode out of the blocks with 1,295 yards and eight touchdowns on just 113 carries (11.5-yard average). Compiling statistics like those in a full season would be a very good accomplishment for most players. Putting up those numbers while splitting carries in just six games is more than very good -- it's excellent.
Baker noticed an increase in attention from the media and the opposition as a result.
"I did notice how other teams started focusing on me a lot," he said. "They stacked the box. They made it so I had to do things that I never thought I could do. I had to break a lot of tackles.
"If I had to compare myself to somebody, it would be Emmitt Smith. Everybody says I run like him."
Oak Park coach Tim Hopkins has been one of the major proponents of that comparison. In his eyes, Baker's strong showing last year only validates what he has been saying all along.
"I know I have the No. 1 running back in the Midwest," Hopkins emphatically stated. "He'll impress you with his speed and his build. Last year, he had his breakout year. His first three games he averaged close to 300 yards (per game). Toward the end of the year he sprained his LCL against West Bloomfield. That was actually a pivotal game that we needed to qualify for the state playoffs. Had he stayed healthy, I'm pretty confident we would have made the playoffs."
Scout.com's team of evaluators was certainly impressed with Baker's abbreviated campaign. They anointed him a five-star talent and ranked him the No. 2 tailback in the country.
"Edwin is far from a finished product," said Scout.com Midwest analyst Allen Trieu. "He's rated as highly as he is because of potential. His speed, his build, and his lateral agility all translate very well to the next level. He has everything you look for in a runner. He has to improve as a pass blocker and receiver, but as a pure runner, there aren't many better than him."
High major programs from across the country obviously agreed with that opinion because shortly after signing day Baker had seven big-time offers to his credit. One of them was from Michigan State, and as far as Baker was concerned, it really was the only one he needed.
"The thing that convinced me (to commit to the Spartans) was how the coaching staff made me feel like family," Baker told Scout.com. "It feels real good."
Other coaches have continued to court the talented youngster, despite his certainty over his Green-and-White future. Thus far, though, he has exhibited an unwavering resolve.
"Ironically, his dream school really was Tennessee," Hopkins noted. "Three or four days after he committed to Michigan State, Phil Fulmer called me and asked me about Edwin.
"One of the main things that Mark Dantonio said to (Edwin) was, 'Once you commit, you're going to be tested. It's not going to stop people from offering you.'
"Phil Fulmer faxed me a scholarship offer and then submitted an authenticated copy in the mail. I gave it to Edwin, he looked at it, and said he was still firm with State."
With recruiting no longer a concern, Baker's focus is squarely on a senior season for which expectations are high.
"He is going to be a marked man, but my expectation is for him to be a dominant force," Hopkins said.
Spartan fans needn't worry about Edwin Baker's allegiance. His commitment is Rock solid.
Recruiting Sam Webb is managing editor of GoBlueWolverine magazine and GoBlueWolverine.com, and co-host of the "Michigan Insider" morning show weekdays on Sports Talk 1050 WTKA. His column appears every Thursday.
