Victory 4 MSU

Today I’m starting the new post format for Victory 4 MSU which should provide a more organized outlet for MSU sporting news and commentary. Instead of short, random news updates throughout the week, there will be a weekly news post each Friday containing a more substantial amount of content. In addition to the weekly news posts will be pre-season opponent overviews, Big-10 power rankings, football and basketball game previews and post-game analysis, weekly Big-10 news and (hopefully) video highlights of games. My pre-season opponent overviews will begin on Monday with Cal, so be sure to check it out.

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2009 quarterback recruit Andrew Maxwell of Midland has been selected to attend the Elite 11 quarterbacks camp in San Juan Capistrano, California. The Elite 11 is an annual clinic which teaches the essential drills and techniques to help these rising stars attain the ultimate level – the NFL. Only the best 11 quarterbacks every year are selected for this camp. With Maxwell, MSU will now have two Elite 11 quarterbacks on its roster in 2009 with Keith Nichol also having earned that honor in 2007.

As you probably know, there has been quite a bit of turmoil at the quarterback position in the last month or so. It started on May 20th when it was confirmed that former MSU commit and Elite 11 quarterback Keith Nichol was re-committing to the spartans. Keith first committed to MSU in the John L Smith era and had to reevaluate his decision when John L was fired at the close of the 2006 season. Shortly after Dantonio was hired as head coach, Keith visited the University of Oklahoma at the request of Bob Stoops. Coach Stoops must have made an impression on Keith because he gave a verbal commitment to him after only one visit. His career at Oklahoma was overshadowed by freshman standout Sam Bradford, and it looked like he would back up Bradford for the rest of his time there.

This spring Keith decided to transfer to another school that could offer him playing time and MSU was a perfect fit. After learning of Nichol’s transfer, spartan backup quarterback Nick Foles decided to transfer from MSU. Nick Foles would have been a redshirt freshman along with fellow QB Kirk Cousins, but now it will be only Nichol vs Cousins vying for the starting job in 2009. Also entering the arena in 2009 is 4-star recruit Andrew Maxwell of Midland, however Cousins and Nichol will be heavy favorites for the position after having a year to learn the system. Whoever ends up in the starting QB spot, Michigan State will be in good shape for years to come.

Spartan football recruiting is off to a hot start for the 2009 class. The spartans already have 7 highly ranked recruits before the start of summer camps. The class started off early in February with the commitment of 4-star linebacker Chris Norman out of Detroit Renaissance High School. Norman is a top-5 player in the state of Michigan for the 2009 class and should contribute early in his career. The next verbal came from 6′4″ 4-star wide receiver Donald Spencer of Ypsilanti. Coach Mark Dantonio has stated that he wants big, tough receivers at Michigan State; receivers that could play on defense if needed, and Spencer certainly fits that description. The last commitment of February was from Oak Park standout Edwin Baker. Baker, a 4-star running back, is considered by many to be the #2 recruit in the state of Michigan for 2009. Joining Baker in the backfield will be Battle Creek running back Larry Caper. Mr. Caper is a 4-star running back and the #3 player in the state for 2009.

In early March, quarterback Andrew Maxwell of Midland gave his verbal commitment to the spartans. He has performed well at the Elite 11 and Nike camps and earned a 4-star rating. The spartan offensive line got a boost with the commitment of East Lansing center Blake Treadwell, son of offensive coordinator Don Treadwell. After his highlight videos were reviewed, his stock shot up and he is now considered the #2 offensive center in the nation. The latest spartan commitment is wide receiver Patrick White of Pickerington, OH. White committed in early June and is currently rated a 3-star prospect, though reportedly he is on the cusp of 4 stars.

That makes for a grand total of 7 highly ranked commitments (six 4-stars) before the beginning of summer camps at MSU. This class has the potential to be the best ever for Spartan Football.