MSU's success spills into recruiting

EAST LANSING - Having a successful season is the result of offseason conditioning, a strong work ethic in practice and precise execution during games.

A successful program, however, is built on the recruiting trail.

While having one of the school's best seasons in more than 40 years, Mark Dantonio and his Michigan State staff also have put together one of the best recruiting classes in recent history.

The Spartans have 16 verbal commitments for their 2009 class, and eight of them are listed as four-star prospects by Rivals.com. MSU's recruiting class currently is rated No. 17 in the country.

"The recruiting process is about developing relationships," Dantonio said "We have 16 commitments, and I think I have seen all of everybody at least three times. Some guys I have seen seven, eight, 10 times.

"When you start in December on a new guy, you only have six opportunities to be around that person. We have seen every committed guy play, (and) every committed guy has seen us play. We have had every committed guy in camp, with the exception of one. That just develops the relationship."

Headlining the 2009 class are a pair of U.S. Army All-Americans: running back Edwin Baker from Oak Park and offensive lineman David Barrent from West Des Moines Valley in Iowa. Both players will play in the annual All-American game Jan. 3, 2009 in San Antonio, Texas. The game will be televised on NBC.

"It is an offensively oriented class," said Allen Wallace of SuperPrep.com. "But Baker is definitely the jewel. He has breakaway speed, good cutback ability, great balance and good vision."

Few spots remain

Dantonio has said there are a few remaining scholarships for next fall.

Two of those slots could be filled by a couple of Michigan's best uncommitted players - Adrian defensive end Dylan Farrington and Orchard Lake St. Mary tight end Dion Sims.

"I don't really have a leader at this point. I have changed my mind so many times throughout this process," said Farrington, who lists MSU, Michigan, South Florida, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas and Central Michigan as schools who have shown him interest. "I have to get my grades in order. When the trimester is over in about a week, then I'll send in my transcripts.

"In terms of State, (quarterbacks) coach (Dave) Warner has been the one recruiting me. He tells me to do what I got to do to be successful and don't let (MSU) interrupt that. He said that if my grades improve, when the time comes, I would be on the top of the list for a scholarship."

Sims is in a little different situation.

The 6-foot-5 Sims has expressed a desire to play both football and basketball in college level, a resurgent trend with high school athletes in recent years.

MSU basketball coach Tom Izzo has joined Dantonio in the effort to recruit Sims to East Lansing. Izzo and Dantonio are prohibited, per NCAA regulations, to speak about unsigned prospects. But Izzo has said he and Dantonio are taking ownership in each other's programs and helping to recruit whenever possible.

"Dion is just a big presence on the football field. He has good hands and will make someone a good tight end someday," St Mary football and basketball coach George Porritt said. "He favors basketball, but he knows he is being recruited more for football. State is really high on Dion's list."

For their 2008 class, the Spartans found some success late in the recruiting process.

A number of current freshmen did not commit to MSU until after their senior seasons. Recruiting coordinator Mark Staten said they are taking a similar path this year. He said some new possibilities for 2009 have emerged and that MSU is scouring the country for top guys to take the last few scholarships.

One of those guys could be Jairus Jones from Wharton High in Tampa, Fla. He's a player who could add more athletic ability to an already dynamic Spartan class.

"(Jones) is a big-time player for us on both sides of the ball," Wharton coach David Mitchell said. "He plays strong safety, running back and kick returner. He is a playmaker for sure.

"Michigan State is one of the schools he is looking at, along with Nebraska and LSU. He is being recruited mainly as a safety, but right now, he is just concentrating on the rest of his senior season here at Wharton."

Looking forward

The momentum the Spartans have built up this season also has started to carry over into the 2010 class and beyond.

In October, MSU received its first verbal commitment for 2010 when Traverse City St Francis linebacker Max Bullough announced he'll continue his family's tradition and play at MSU.

Bullough said Wednesday that he is aware of other top in-state players from his class that have been targeted by MSU, such as defensive end William Gholston of Detroit Southeastern, linebacker Austin Gray of Warren Fitzgerald and running back Austin White of Livonia Stevenson.

Gholston is the cousin of former Ohio State standout Vernon Gholston and White is the brother of current MSU freshmen wide receivers Mitchell and Myles White.

Sims' high school teammate, junior quarterback Robert Bolden, is another player on the Spartans' radar.

"Robert hasn't really gotten into the (recruiting) mix yet, but he has great speed and an arm. He can do things with both his arms and legs," said Porritt.

Other 2010 players who interest the Spartans include Chelsea running back Nick Hill, Inkster quarterback Devin Gardner, Fox Chapel (Pa.) offensive tackle Miles Dieffenbach and Plainfield (Ind.) offensive lineman James Hurst.

Staten also said the Spartans are getting a head start on the 2011 class and a few of those prospects were in town for the MSU/Wisconsin game on Nov. 1.