By Jeremy Crabtree, Rivals.com
There's another recruiting beast brewing in the Big Ten.
Sure, traditional powers like Ohio State and Michigan are still going to get their share of blue-chip players and end up near the top of the team recruiting rankings come signing day. But the recruiting job Mark Dantonio is doing at Michigan State is impressive.
The Spartans have 14 commitments at this point, rank in the top 10 nationally in the Rivals.com team recruiting rankings and have eight four-star pledges. Two of those four-star commitments — running back Edwin Baker of Oak Park, Mich., and quarterback Andrew Maxwell of Midland, Mich. — recently impressed at the Football University Top Gun Camp and the EA Sports Elite 11.
Baker was one of the most complete players at the three-day Top Gun camp. Baker arrived at meetings early and asked coaches several questions, showing he's a real student of the game. He's quick and built like a body-builder. He should be a great every-down back for Michigan State.
Maxwell definitely caught the eye of Rivals.com recruiting analyst Barry Every with his strong week of work at the Elite 11.
"He is someone Michigan State can build a solid team around," Every said. "I think he could be the top quarterback in the Big Ten territory."
Michigan State got more good news Monday when four-star offensive lineman David Barrent revealed he was switching his commitment from Iowa to the Spartans. The top-ranked player in Iowa and the nation's No. 2 pass blocker, Barrent was a huge addition for the Spartans.
"After I committed, about a month or so ago, I started to have some reservations," Barrent said. "Then I opened up to my parents that I was thinking about changing my mind. After lots of talking and thinking, I just decided Michigan State was the better fit for me in the long run.
"I just remember when I went up there on my visit after the Rivals.com Five-Star academy, that I really liked everything about the school. The campus, the engineering school, the coaches, the players were all great.
"I think the recruiting class they have coming in played a little factor. It's a lot more secure to know when you have guys that are really talented on track to go there. But for me it was just having a good feeling about Michigan State and how I would fit in there in the long run."
The change of heart was well-received in East Lansing, but in Iowa the pain of losing an in-state star — and a player that grew up loving the Hawkeyes — was like a punch to the gut.
"Obviously, it stings," Tom Kakert, publisher of HawkeyeReport.com, said. "They're graduating several linemen and it was a focus of a smaller class. When you lose the top-ranked lineman in the state to a Big Ten rival, it's going to hurt. Absolutely, this was a shock to people in Iowa."
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Box Art Reviews: ‘NCAA Football 09'
Posted by Tracey John on 7/22/08 at 5:27 pm.
No cover art is safe from our hasty judgment. Really, box art designers… it’s for your own good:
“NCAA Football 09 All-Play” (Wii)
What the Box Tells Us: Forget beefy cover athletes in mid-run with pigskin clutched tightly in hand; it’s time for the mascots to rule. For the Wii version of “NCAA Football 09,” a cartoony Spartan (Michigan State’s Sparty) graces the cover with finger triumphantly pointed upward. Will I get to play as mascots? Either way,this particular sports cover stands out among the rest.
Pros: A nice change from the typical cover athlete.
Cons: At first, I thought it was a Mii.
Love It or Leave It: Love it.
No cover art is safe from our hasty judgment. Really, box art designers… it’s for your own good:
“NCAA Football 09 All-Play” (Wii)
What the Box Tells Us: Forget beefy cover athletes in mid-run with pigskin clutched tightly in hand; it’s time for the mascots to rule. For the Wii version of “NCAA Football 09,” a cartoony Spartan (Michigan State’s Sparty) graces the cover with finger triumphantly pointed upward. Will I get to play as mascots? Either way,this particular sports cover stands out among the rest.
Pros: A nice change from the typical cover athlete.
Cons: At first, I thought it was a Mii.
Love It or Leave It: Love it.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Baker's pledge to Spartans is solid as a rock
Jeremy Crabtree : Recruiting Editor : Rivals.com
PAISLEY, Fla. – Edwin Baker goes by the nickname of "The Rock." It's appropriate, because when he's running with the football, he's definitely like a rolling stone.
The four-star running back from Oak Park, Mich., was one of the most impressive looking players on Saturday at the first session of the FBU Top Gun Showcase Camp at the All-Star Sports Training Complex. Arriving much earlier than most of the other players, Baker could have come out flat after sitting around all day. Instead, the Michigan State commit had a strong evening workout and showed why he's one of the nation's best running backs.
Edwin Baker says he just wants to have fun at the FBU Top Gun showcase camp.
"Coming all the way down here was basically about having fun," Baker said after weighing in at 195 pounds. "I want to do what got me here in the first place. I'm not going to overdo it or try to prove anything to anybody but myself. I just want to go out there and have fun."
And if Sunday and Monday are much like his effort on Saturday, then he'll have plenty of fun.
"Edwin Baker was one of the most impressive looking guys, in my opinion," Rivals.com analyst Barry Every said. "From the eyeball standpoint, there aren't too many backs in the nation that look like him. He's got a great compact frame that's really built for the rigors of college football, plus he's got good speed and shows nice explosion."
Baker said the "Rock" nickname has stuck with him for a number of reasons.
"There goes a lot into it how I got the nickname," he said. "My structure and my body size is built kind of like a rock. I'm really tough, strong and everybody says I'm as strong as a rock. I'm hard to move like a rock, too. I'm also like a rock because I'm solid and steady. I'm not going to crumble or break when the pressure is on."
There will be plenty of pressure placed on him this fall.
As one of the top returning players in Michigan, Baker will be the focal point of defenses trying to stop him and possibly bang him up like he was part of his junior season. He was able to rush for 1,295 yards in only six games last year, but he plans on being steady force this fall for Oak Park.
"The biggest thing I want to accomplish is having more yards than I did last year, since I didn't finish the year out right," he said. "I want to finish the whole season out, stay healthy. We're going to be young, so I have to lead my team. On the field, I'm not the type that will be a yeller. I'm going to take what you're doing wrong and help correct you and make it better."
Baker ended the recruiting process in late February when he committed to Michigan State over scholarship offers from Purdue, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan and others. Spartans fans don't have to worry about him changing his mind.
STAR-STUDDED
Seven of Michigan State's 12 commitments for the class of 2009 are four-star prospects. Here's a look at them:
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown
Edwin Baker RB 5-10 195 Oak Park, MI
Chris Norman LB 6-2 207 Detroit, MI
Larry Caper RB 5-10 215 Battle Creek, MI
Nate Klatt OL 6-4 286 Canal Fulton, OH
Andrew Maxwell QB 6-3 192 Midland, MI
Donald Spencer WR 6-4 197 Ypsilanti, MI
Blake Treadwell OL 6-2 270 East Lansing, MI
"I've had no second doubts at all," he said.
"The biggest reason why I picked Michigan State was because it feels like a big family. When you walk in everybody gives you tremendous respect. Coach Dan Enos, the running back coach, is a great guy.
"Everybody was calling me Rock. He didn't want to come out and call me Rock. He actually asked me, 'Is it OK if I call you Rock?' I felt that was so much respect there."
Baker's pledge was the first piece of what has become one of the nation's best classes early on. Seven of Michigan State's 12 commitments are four-star prospects. Baker is pumped about the Spartans' start.
"They're doing a great job," he said. "I throw my little part into it here and there to help them recruit, but mainly it's the coaches really. I am a little surprised by the success we're having. I didn't think it would be as big of a turnout as it's been so far, at least not this quickly.
"I knew we were going to be great. But I didn't know it was going to be this great. The recruits we're getting, the type of class we have, everything is great for the Spartans."
PAISLEY, Fla. – Edwin Baker goes by the nickname of "The Rock." It's appropriate, because when he's running with the football, he's definitely like a rolling stone.
The four-star running back from Oak Park, Mich., was one of the most impressive looking players on Saturday at the first session of the FBU Top Gun Showcase Camp at the All-Star Sports Training Complex. Arriving much earlier than most of the other players, Baker could have come out flat after sitting around all day. Instead, the Michigan State commit had a strong evening workout and showed why he's one of the nation's best running backs.
Edwin Baker says he just wants to have fun at the FBU Top Gun showcase camp.
"Coming all the way down here was basically about having fun," Baker said after weighing in at 195 pounds. "I want to do what got me here in the first place. I'm not going to overdo it or try to prove anything to anybody but myself. I just want to go out there and have fun."
And if Sunday and Monday are much like his effort on Saturday, then he'll have plenty of fun.
"Edwin Baker was one of the most impressive looking guys, in my opinion," Rivals.com analyst Barry Every said. "From the eyeball standpoint, there aren't too many backs in the nation that look like him. He's got a great compact frame that's really built for the rigors of college football, plus he's got good speed and shows nice explosion."
Baker said the "Rock" nickname has stuck with him for a number of reasons.
"There goes a lot into it how I got the nickname," he said. "My structure and my body size is built kind of like a rock. I'm really tough, strong and everybody says I'm as strong as a rock. I'm hard to move like a rock, too. I'm also like a rock because I'm solid and steady. I'm not going to crumble or break when the pressure is on."
There will be plenty of pressure placed on him this fall.
As one of the top returning players in Michigan, Baker will be the focal point of defenses trying to stop him and possibly bang him up like he was part of his junior season. He was able to rush for 1,295 yards in only six games last year, but he plans on being steady force this fall for Oak Park.
"The biggest thing I want to accomplish is having more yards than I did last year, since I didn't finish the year out right," he said. "I want to finish the whole season out, stay healthy. We're going to be young, so I have to lead my team. On the field, I'm not the type that will be a yeller. I'm going to take what you're doing wrong and help correct you and make it better."
Baker ended the recruiting process in late February when he committed to Michigan State over scholarship offers from Purdue, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan and others. Spartans fans don't have to worry about him changing his mind.
STAR-STUDDED
Seven of Michigan State's 12 commitments for the class of 2009 are four-star prospects. Here's a look at them:
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown
Edwin Baker RB 5-10 195 Oak Park, MI
Chris Norman LB 6-2 207 Detroit, MI
Larry Caper RB 5-10 215 Battle Creek, MI
Nate Klatt OL 6-4 286 Canal Fulton, OH
Andrew Maxwell QB 6-3 192 Midland, MI
Donald Spencer WR 6-4 197 Ypsilanti, MI
Blake Treadwell OL 6-2 270 East Lansing, MI
"I've had no second doubts at all," he said.
"The biggest reason why I picked Michigan State was because it feels like a big family. When you walk in everybody gives you tremendous respect. Coach Dan Enos, the running back coach, is a great guy.
"Everybody was calling me Rock. He didn't want to come out and call me Rock. He actually asked me, 'Is it OK if I call you Rock?' I felt that was so much respect there."
Baker's pledge was the first piece of what has become one of the nation's best classes early on. Seven of Michigan State's 12 commitments are four-star prospects. Baker is pumped about the Spartans' start.
"They're doing a great job," he said. "I throw my little part into it here and there to help them recruit, but mainly it's the coaches really. I am a little surprised by the success we're having. I didn't think it would be as big of a turnout as it's been so far, at least not this quickly.
"I knew we were going to be great. But I didn't know it was going to be this great. The recruits we're getting, the type of class we have, everything is great for the Spartans."
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Michigan State pledge named to Elite 11
Eric Lacy : The Detroit News
Midland native Andrew Maxwell, a Michigan State football pledge for 2009, was named Tuesday by ESPN as one of the Elite 11 quarterbacks in the country.
The Elite 11 is an event providing the nation's top signal callers high-level instruction from various experts in the game. It will be held July 21-24 in Southern California.
Maxwell was notified Sunday of his Elite 11 status and said camp organziers said they were impressed with his quick release and footwork in his high school's pro-style offense.
"It's an opportunity of a lifetime," Maxwell said. "I'll get to measure myself against some of the country's best."
Maxwell takes pride in being one of the only elite level throwers to ever come out of Midland.
"I feel lucky," Maxwell said. "It's a testament to our state, my city, our league and shows the kind of players we are capable of putting out there.
"It's not all about me, there's a ton of great players and I hope this opens some eys and shows there are a lot of players here that are pretty fierce about football."
More than 1,000 high school quarterbacks are evaluated by ESPN RISE's Nike Camp and EA Sports' Elite 11 regional camp to earn the honor, according to an ESPN press release.
During the 2007 season, Maxwell (6-foot-3, 193 pounds) led Midland High with 2,024 yards passing, 18 touchdowns and just seven interceptions in 14 games.
Maxwell is ranked a four-star recruit by Rivals.com and ranked No. 11 at his position nationally by the recruiting service.
Midland coach Eric Methner is happy for Maxwell becasue he's "a team first guy" who isn't afraid to give maximum effort.
"I'm just tickled to death that he's being recognized for all the hard work he's put in," Methner said. "He's a workaholic, those 6:30 in the morning workouts with me, him and the other quarterbacks have really paid off."
Notable Elite 11 alumni include the Tennessee Titans' Vince Young, the Arizona Cardinals' Matt Leinart and the Oakland Raiders' JaMarcus Russell.
All quarterbacks selected from the camp will compete against each other and receive teaching from counselors including college players Colt McCoy (Texas), Curtis Painter (Purdue) and Mark Sanchez (Southern California).
Former Spartans player Drew Stanton, now with the Lions, is an Elite 11 alumnus along with Keith Nichol, a current MSU player from Lowell, Mich., who transferred last spring from Oklahoma.
Midland native Andrew Maxwell, a Michigan State football pledge for 2009, was named Tuesday by ESPN as one of the Elite 11 quarterbacks in the country.
The Elite 11 is an event providing the nation's top signal callers high-level instruction from various experts in the game. It will be held July 21-24 in Southern California.
Maxwell was notified Sunday of his Elite 11 status and said camp organziers said they were impressed with his quick release and footwork in his high school's pro-style offense.
"It's an opportunity of a lifetime," Maxwell said. "I'll get to measure myself against some of the country's best."
Maxwell takes pride in being one of the only elite level throwers to ever come out of Midland.
"I feel lucky," Maxwell said. "It's a testament to our state, my city, our league and shows the kind of players we are capable of putting out there.
"It's not all about me, there's a ton of great players and I hope this opens some eys and shows there are a lot of players here that are pretty fierce about football."
More than 1,000 high school quarterbacks are evaluated by ESPN RISE's Nike Camp and EA Sports' Elite 11 regional camp to earn the honor, according to an ESPN press release.
During the 2007 season, Maxwell (6-foot-3, 193 pounds) led Midland High with 2,024 yards passing, 18 touchdowns and just seven interceptions in 14 games.
Maxwell is ranked a four-star recruit by Rivals.com and ranked No. 11 at his position nationally by the recruiting service.
Midland coach Eric Methner is happy for Maxwell becasue he's "a team first guy" who isn't afraid to give maximum effort.
"I'm just tickled to death that he's being recognized for all the hard work he's put in," Methner said. "He's a workaholic, those 6:30 in the morning workouts with me, him and the other quarterbacks have really paid off."
Notable Elite 11 alumni include the Tennessee Titans' Vince Young, the Arizona Cardinals' Matt Leinart and the Oakland Raiders' JaMarcus Russell.
All quarterbacks selected from the camp will compete against each other and receive teaching from counselors including college players Colt McCoy (Texas), Curtis Painter (Purdue) and Mark Sanchez (Southern California).
Former Spartans player Drew Stanton, now with the Lions, is an Elite 11 alumnus along with Keith Nichol, a current MSU player from Lowell, Mich., who transferred last spring from Oklahoma.
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