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Nick Hill has called Mark Dantonio. He hasn't yet called Mike Hart.
Dantonio was thrilled Tuesday to get the word from Hill that he will be playing his college ball at Michigan State. The Chelsea running back, entering his senior season and fourth as a starter, has more than 5,000 career yards and is rated the No. 10 all-purpose back in the nation by Rivals.com and the No. 30 back by Scout.com.
"He told me, 'I'm excited about you coming here, I'm excited about what we're going to do. We're going to the Rose Bowl,' " Hill recounted of Dantonio's response to his call. "And I said, 'Coach Dantonio, we're not just gonna get to the Rose Bowl, we're gonna win it - and a BCS championship, too.' "
Hill becomes the seventh player to verbally commit to MSU for the class of 2010, and the seventh from within the state. He is the fifth to pledge in the past two weeks, on the heels of major coups in defensive end William Gholston (Detroit Southeastern), defensive back Mylan Hicks (Detroit Renaissance) and quarterback Joe Boisture (Saline).
The 5-foot-7, 185-pound running back was offered by MSU shortly after the Spartans' camp for prospects on June 12. The Spartans have been pursuing Hill for the past year, even though he was once considered a lock for Michigan.
Hill is close friends with the diminutive Hart, U-M's all-time rushing leader who was a senior in 2007. The lookalike pair hung out together regularly and often told people they were brothers, Hill said.
"I'm not sure how he's gonna take the news," Hill said of Hart.
But Michigan had not yet offered Hill a scholarship. Neither had Notre Dame, although the Wolverines and Fighting Irish were actively recruiting him.
He decided he didn't want to wait any longer.
"Deep down inside I felt in my heart that this was the right decision," said Hill, who also had a Stanford offer.
Chelsea coach Brad Bush said Hill is "everything you want in a football player." Dantonio, who can't comment on 2010 recruits until they sign in February, told Hill he'll have a chance to help immediately as a return man.
