Victory 4 MSU

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.