Answering your #16 Michigan State Football & Recruiting Questions

Answering your #16 Michigan State Football & Recruiting Questions

Hondo, I read in more than one place that Messiah deWeaver left because Brian Lewerke has two more years left. Is that so? Chris Junker

Messiah was a redshirt freshman. He knew when he came that Brian was ahead of him. He also knew last year that Brian was the man coming into this season. This season he also saw the arrival of Rocky Lombardi who would have played had Lewerke gone done for any length of time and the inevitably that Lombardi was going to be number two on the depth chart next year. While I did not see the Lewerke reason, I am convinced and others within the program that it was the emergence of Lombardi and arrival of Theo Day that made him look elsewhere. If Lombardi had overtaken Messiah, why would he wait for Brian to leave for a job he isn't second in line for? What shouldn’t be lost is that he is a super person and student. I do not know ONE person who doesn’t like Messiah; including me. 

Hondo, I have really appreciated your reporting on the Harlon Barnett situation even if I hate what it was about. I know you said Florida State paid him between $900,000 and $1 million. Coach Dantonio in a statement said that MSU made a good offer. Do you know what MSU offered him to stay? Chuck Brent

Chuck, I have not seen anywhere privately or publicly where Coach Dantonio said that. I did see he said, “We recognized the value of Harlon and all of our coaches, and the administration has stepped up with a significant financial commitment to our entire staff.” That is true, but Mark Hollis gives Dantonio a set amount for assistants and Dantonio then distributes as he chooses. MSU offered between $600,000 and $650,000. 

Hondo, if MSU offered to match FSU what other reason was there for Harlon Barnett to leave? Kris Martin

MSU did not offer to match. As I stated prior, FSU is going to pay Harlon between $900,000 and $1 million per year. As far as another reason, I know that having to share the “CO” defensive coordinator title was bothersome and MSU was not going to change that.

Hondo, I have a friend who works at the University that said Coach Dantonio was going to have four people in the Duffy Daugherty Building on Monday to interview for the job? They said that they had to postpone some building work because they do not want people in the building while he is doing the interviews. Can you confirm that? Aaron Allen

Your friend has terrible information. Coach very well may do interviews on Monday, but he will be in Charlotte, NC at the American Football Coaches Association.

I am a big Hunter Rison fan and loved his dad even more. Do you think he can step up and take a starting role next season? Ken Morales

No. I really like Hunter and his father, but that is not an option without injuries and some setbacks. He can’t play the outside and is not a kick or punt returner. Unseating a starter at this point is not a viable thought process. Please understand that I do not hate him, I really like him. It is being truthful. Not being able to play the outside and his lack of ability to do punt or kick returns limited his time this season.

I read your hot list. I was stunned not to see the name of Archie Collins on that list. Several other media outlets have reported him as a strong or leading candidate, did you forget him? Greg Sampson

I did not forget and I am not responsible for what others report. I gave you a list (that we said with an extensive search could grow) of those who are viable contenders.

Hondo, I have seen that several others are reporting of Michigan State’s strong interest in the offensive lineman for the 2018 class from Detroit Tyrone Sampson? You haven’t said much. Is that changing? Todd Gorman

I have said that MSU is not interested in a nice way. I am glad you noticed that others are reporting it because we are not. In my business that is called “Proof of Performance.” I am very much aware that our competition has reported that, but I know I have not and neither has Allen Trieu.

Hondo, Happy New Year. I know you said that Dave Rayner was a possibility for the 10th coach spot. You also said that was not decided. Have you heard anything else? I went to school at MSU when he was here and I would love to see him get the job and I love what happened to our special teams this season. Valerie Stevens

I know Michigan State has taken a long hard look at the situation since Harlon actually made the choice to go. I can tell you that while Dave IS NOT OUT of the running for the 10th spot, I do not think the way the cards rest right now, that he will get it.

Is Renaldo Hill a great recruiter like Harlon Barnett was? I know Coach Dantonio can coach DB’s and did a lot with them this year so I am not as worried about that as I am recruiting. Seth Curtis

Renaldo is a great person and a good coach. He is not the recruiter that Harlon is. He and Harlon are very close and I do not think Renaldo would be offended at me for saying that. Doesn’t mean he can’t grow into it, just that he isn’t there now.

Hondo, do you know if Coach D has done any interviews yet? Mark Williams

Yes, he has. He interviewed Renaldo Hill before Harlon made the decision to leave.

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There you go, everyone. That is your weekly MSU football questions and answers article. Make sure you send your questions to SpartanNationMail@yahoo.com and put in the subject line Football Q/A.