A 2012 Final look back at Mark Dantonio’s first recruiting class. The 2007 class revisited.

A 2012 look back at Mark Dantonio’s first recruiting class. The 2007 class revisited.  Kirk Cousins QB Original Ranking: 20 Cousins rewrote the record

A 2012 look back at Mark Dantonio’s first recruiting class. The 2007 class revisited.

 

1. Kirk Cousins QB Original Ranking: 20 Cousins rewrote the record books at MSU. He was rated very low in Dantonio’s first class. More than one coach loved his character, but DID NOT see him ever as a starter. The Spartans needed a QB in that class simply to avoid killing Brian Hoyer in practice. Cousins wasn’t the first, second or even the third choice. Cousins has proved all of his critics wrong. I said in February 2007, “I wouldn’t be shocked if he made it happen, I just think he has a long hill to climb.” A sentiment shared inside and outside the Duffy at the time. 
2. Greg Jones LB Original Ranking: 8 Greg Jones came in with high hopes and exceeded them all. A two-time All American, and clearly a star. Was drafted by the NYG and is about to play in the Super Bowl.
3. B.J. Cunningham WR Original Ranking: 11 He will go down as the greatest WR in MSU history. He will get an NFL shot and frankly this WR with guts to play across the middle has NFL scouts eye. 
4. Joel Foreman OG Original Ranking: 19 Foreman red-shirted as all offensive line recruits do under Dantonio and turned it into a red-shirt freshman All American campaign. He progressed and was a clear NFL prospect. He was by far the best OL for MSU during the 2010 and 2011 season.
5. Aaron Bates P/K Original Ranking: 3 I said at the time that Bates was a huge get for Dantonio and he has done nothing but make me look a lot smarter than I am. 
6. Chris L. Rucker CB Original Ranking: 7 Rucker had some off-field issues. He was a long time starter and even with a less than stellar 2010 season, he got his shot in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts and has made it happen
7. Mark Dell WR Original Ranking: 2 I have never been more proud of an MSU player in all my years. I had continually said how Dell was the second most talented player in this class. In his senior year he turned it on. He was a great leader on and off the field. Dell is with the Denver Broncos in the NFL.Â
8. Kevin Pickelman DT Original Ranking: 13 Pickelman dominated his senior year and even while plagued with injury was a major contributor. He will remain one of my all time favorite players and was a great contributor. 
9. Garrett Celek TE Original Ranking: 18 Celek suffered to many injuries to ever become great. When he was healthy he was a difference maker and off the field is one of the best character young men you have ever met.
10. Jared McGaha OT Original Ranking: 14 McGaha was a glue type player. Because of injuries to others he constantly had to play so many positions that he never was afforded the opportunity to stick at one spot. He was a great backup everywhere because of that versatility. His senior year he had a chance for a starters role and lost it to ironically his own injury.
11. Chris D. Rucker Original Ranking: 16 Chris D. amazed coaches and players in practice, but was never able to make that next step and show it in the game. CDR was a fine young person, and a great practice team player, but it never worked out on the field. 
12. Antonio Jeremiah DT Original Ranking: 1 Jeremiah was a major disappointment. He was the single most gifted player on this team with God given ability. He has cost himself millions of dollars as he has NFL talent. I don’t know of another player I have been more disappointed in ever. Not because I think he is a bad guy, but because he didn’t get the most out of his talent. If you put Greg Jones or Jon Misch’s heart in him, he would be a #1 NFL draft pick. Not first round, #1 OVERALL. The story of this young man is of talent and potential wasted. 

Incomplete:

Arthur Ray Jr. OG Original Ranking: 5 It was discovered soon after he became a Spartan that he had cancer. Mark Dantonio has said that he expects Ray to be a captain one day and I agree. Ray did play in a limited role, but with eligibility left we continue to root for this super kid.

 Unique Circumstances:

Nick Foles QB Foles was not originally rated as he came to MSU after signing day on February 19, 2007. He left MSU for Arizona when Mark Dantonio was wooing Keith Nichol. After sitting out a season due to NCAA transfer rules, he was a starter the last three seasons for Arizona.  He will be a draft pick in the 2012 NFL draft.  

Left the Program

• Andre Anderson RB 
• Chase Dumphord OG 
• Ryan Wheat DT 
• Ishmyl Johnson 
• Ashton Leggett
• David Duran
• Oren Wilson