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Spartans land Detroit Crockett star Tony Lippett

Spartans land Detroit Crockett star Tony Lippett

BY MATT DORSEY
FREE PRESS SPECIAL WRITER

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio got some good news Thursday when Detroit Crockett star Tony Lippett committed to the Spartans.

The 6-foot-3, 185-pounder will play wide receiver for the Green and White.

Lippett has played quarterback the last two years for Crockett and put up very respectable numbers as a passer and a rusher. But catching the ball is where his future is most promising. Lippett grew up playing receiver in the Detroit Police Athletic League, so the transition to the position should be an easy one.

The last few weeks, Lippett has been wowing scouts and recruiting analysts at regional events. In April, he attended the Badger Sports 7-on-7 tournament in Columbus, Ohio. That event featured all-star teams from Midwestern states competing against each other. Lippett was one of the most productive wideouts there, often the go-to receiver for Team Michigan.

A few weeks later, Lippett attended the Nike camp at Penn State. That one features many of the best players from the Midwest and the East Coast. Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Mike Farrell had this to say after seeing Lippett in action: “He was outstanding in drills, his feet were great, he ran good routes. I thought he was the best wide receiver out here."

In addition to his exceptional size, Lippett is very fast. He has clocked a 100-meter time of 10.8 seconds and routinely runs the 40-yard dash in the 4.5-second range.

Lippett's commitment to the Spartans fulfills coach Dantonio's desire to recruit the state -- and especially the Detroit area -- as thoroughly as possible. Spartan assistant coach and Detroit native Dan Enos served as the primary recruiter of Lippett.

Lippett becomes the second commitment to Michigan State for the class of 2010, joining Traverse City linebacker Max Bullough.

Matt Dorsey is a recruiting analyst for spartanmag.com and rivals.com

MSU Lands 8 of the Top 11 Football Recruits in Michigan for 2009

Knowing the value of having soldiers that will fight harder and die with their boots on for their homeland, Michigan State has secured commitments from 8 of the top 11 football recruits for next fall.

Follow this link for details :

RIVALS TOP MICHIGAN RECRUITS FOR 2009

Penn State-Michigan State: Obama to Dantonio, "Yes We Can!"

This Saturday's matchup between the Michigan Sate Spartans (9-2) and the Penn State Nittany Lions (10-1) resembles another huge test of time and perseverance—two factors which recently decided the presidential election. Like that fight, Penn State offers a heavily lauded team led by Joe Paterno, the elder statesman of college football. A man that, like John McCain to the Republicans and America, has unquestionable integrity and commitment to his chosen profession.

On the other sideline stands Mark Dantonio, scarcely two seasons into his tenure as head coach of MSU, leading a group of Spartans that have received only the slightest of backhanded praise, parceled out by tight-lipped "pros" of in-state publications and national news giants throughout the past three months. These Spartans were not expected to be here, just like Barack Obama was not supposed to be on the presidential ballot, let alone win the big game. Surely the other teams normally perched atop the Big Ten may be asking, "who invited them?" to this final championship-deciding weekend. But guess what, they are here, and they have a great chance of shaking up the world of college football Saturday by beating Penn State.

How did Barack do it? Go to CNN to find that out.

How will Michigan State do it? Read on...

Freedom. MSU has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Just like Barack Obama, Michigan State is not SUPPOSED to be in the position they are in. Nobody expected they would be playing to win the Big Ten and go to The Rose Bowl. Nobody. Not even I could have dreamt nor hoped for this opportunity. Penn State will be playing in front of 100,000 people who expect them to win but who are truly heartbroken about how the Lions blew their chance at a national title. The pressure on them will be huge. Win one for JoePa. Make up for Iowa. Don't fall apart any further. Sure, everybody will be asking "can Michigan State win the big games?" as they have before the Northwestern game, the Michigan game, the Wisconsin game, the Notre Dame game, etc. Now, I'm lying by saying MSU has nothing to lose, if Javon Ringer goes off and runs wild, he will be on the Heisman stage. That alone will give added momentum. Also, look for Mark Dantonio to take chances, run some odd plays. He knows the truth that you cannot win big unless you bet big.

Unity. Just like the Democrats ran a focused, finely-tuned message-machine, Michigan State's football team is the ultimate example of a coalesced team. The German school of psychology calls this "Gestalt." According to Webster, Gestalt is defined as: "a structure, configuration, or pattern of physical, biological, or psychological phenomena so integrated as to constitute a functional unit with properties not derivable by summation of its parts." You may look at Michigan State on a position-by-position basis and think they don't match up with Penn State. Watch some game film. Note how when Javon Ringer scores any of his 20 touchdowns this season, he doesn't pound his chest and prance around like a fool in heat. He hands the ball to the official and greets his linemen with thanks and class. Watch how just when you think Mark Dell is the only option to make a first down grab, some unknown receiver streaks across the middle and burns the opposing defense for a 60-yard TD. The power of team unity is often preached, but seldom attained or harvested as it has been on the field this year by MSU.

Rest. The Spartans have enjoyed their bye week at exactly the right moment in the season. As Penn State was beating up on Indiana to make up for their less-than top-5 showing at Iowa, The Spartans were resting and watching the Nittany Lions' every move. MSU will have its full complement of offensive and defensive weapons to choose from come game time.

Let it snow. Inclement weather is always the great equalizer in football. With the nation's leading rusher in the backfield, who has not fumbled once in 350+ rushes, The Spartans should fare just fine on the ground and open it up when needed. (Refer to QB Brian Hoyer's 60-yard connection through the air with Blair White between two receivers in last week's Purdue game). The weather is forecast to be 30 degrees and snowing.

No doubt. One of the weirdest looking written words in our fine English language is the downfall of any sportsman. Now that Penn State has been beaten, they have that incessant, creeping, clawing demon of doubt rooted in their minds. It may not be big, it may not be overwhelming, but once you know how to lose, you will lose again. If MSU can score first or take a two-score lead, look in the Penn State players' eyes as they search the scoreboard for more time and an answer. Key stat: Penn State was only leading 10-7 at halftime at home last week against Indiana, a team that is dead-last in the Big Ten standings, as well as defense (along with probably every other stat).

Underdog? The Spartans could teach Rodney Dangerfield something about "No Respect." It doesn't matter how many games we win, how many opponents go down, it's never enough. It's always "this next game will prove the old demons are finally laid to rest," "this next test will really prove if the Spartans have changed." Guess what sportscasters, that's old, stale, tired, done, kaput. This potential 11-2 season is way more than any Spartan could have hoped for, and if the team doesn't even show up for the game on Saturday, it's been a season to remember. Someone please take that albatross from around our green-and-white necks and shove it up the next ESPN commentator that says it.


Sorry GramPa Joe, there's a new coach in town named Dantonio leading a team who wants it more, and they will take it on Saturday.


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