Answering Your Michigan State Football Questions and Emails…

Answering Your Michigan State Football Questions and Emails… Hi Hondo, I appreciate your professionalism, and the fact that you will report news even if it

Answering Your Michigan State Football Questions and Emails…

Hi Hondo, I appreciate your professionalism, and the fact that you will report news even if it isn't very positive. My question is why did we offer safety Darius West so much later than Kentucky? He is a good 4 star recruit, and I think we should have been courting him sooner. Do you think we have a good chance to land him? Mike Duggan

Great question and obviously since he committed to Kentucky yesterday the answer is no. There are two big things I believe are missing in your line of thinking.

First is that this is the second very good defenseman that MSU has not got recently where the #1 reason was playing time. Top tier recruits will go to certain upper echelon schools and wait to play. Mark Dantonio has done a very good job and he has stockpiled talent on defense. MSU is getting drilled on the defensive side of the ball by other schools rightfully pointing out the talent MSU has ahead of them. Darius is a super kid that really liked MSU, but he has a shot to play right now when he arrives as a true freshman.

Secondly, they offered the young man the spring of his junior year. Certainly we all know that recruiting has been pushed ahead and advanced, but it wasn’t like it was the spring of his senior year. Another point is that UK has put the money into football and is fully staffed. MSU still is without a full time designated recruiting coordinator and staff. It IS hurting them.

Hondo, When I look at other schools approach to O-Line recruiting it seems like many target the 6'5-6 250lb TE that they eventually develop into a 300lb OT. However, MSU seems to go after the pre-determined 6'5-6 290+ types. Do you see MSU's O-line development process changing with the new coaches? Maybe more Evan Jones types and less focus on the HS OTs. Andrew Kennedy

I love this question. Many of the schools that do that (and it is the majority), do so because they can’t go land the big OT stars and there are not many places you can go pick a 6’8” 315# OT. MSU has not had a talent deficit in my opinion; it has been a development issue. To be honest, I don’t care how they get them; I just want them to get them. I was told once by a man that I highly respect as an OL guru, “The hardest part of picking an offensive lineman in recruiting is finding those that love the game of football. At no other position is that more important than on both lines. Guys must have a love for football.” That quote was from my late friend Randy Walker.

MSU must improve (and I have all the confidence that they will) the development of players on the OL.

Lastly, I want to tell you this story. It fits with your question. It is no secret that one of my very best friends is Butch Jones, the head coach at Tennessee. When he was the coach at CMU I used to go up there at least once a week, every week to spend time with him.

I remember the first time I met Eric Fisher. Jones had raved about him and when he stopped in to see coach we were introduced. He was not even as big as Evan Jones. When he left the room Butch told me, “That kid will be a first round draft pick. He has the frame that we can fill in, but he has heart. We stole him. I tell ya we stole him. Michigan and Michigan State missed on his heart. He can play and he wants to play and more importantly, he loves to play. You tell him to do this or that and it will make him better you never have to tell him again. Kid has heart.” Obviously Fisher was a #1 pick, in fact the #1 overall pick this year.

I will NEVER forget that. Butch is where he is because of his eye for talent and developing it. I believe that Mark Dantonio has PROVEN that he also can evaluate and see talent. His offensive staff now has to develop it. The defense has done its part, now the offense must.

Hondo, this may sound off the wall, but I would love for you to address it. I was told by someone I trust that there was some limited animosity on the staff; I think it was offense, that Pat Narduzzi got such a large raise last year. Did you hear that? Kyle

That is true. I would also say that Pat makes about 35% of what his market value is. He did MSU a favor staying and I have my own personal doubts he can and should stay if MSU doesn’t fix the funding issues for football. I would also say to those coaches who were jealous or upset that this isn’t 3rd grade. He was way underpaid and some of them were way overpaid. I would also add this. My father was a very successful businessman. He always used to remind me when it came to success a verse from the Bible. Whether you consider yourself a person of faith or not, this is great wisdom. Proverbs 18:16 “A man’s gift makes room for him.” If you are talented and good at what you do, it will be made known and room will always be made for it. Now don’t think it was a staff mutiny because it wasn’t. There was a small pocket of jealousy, but I don’t think it had any bearing on last season.

Hondo, you correctly called that Juwan Caesar was not going to return to MSU. You also said that you felt the same about Kyle Kerrick. I was reading on another message board that he had been talked into returning to MSU. Now that we know he is back can you share the inside scoop? Nathan

I have not changed my stance at all. I do not expect Kyle back.

Hondo, all we heard about was change and as I sat in Spartan Stadium for the spring game I was depressed. It looks like the same offense. More of the same? Jason

Sometimes I don’t get the incessant whining of fans. I warned you that we would see nothing at the spring game that really showed anything. In fact, there was only one play that was a harbinger of anything. We are going to see significant changes. There was no reason to show anything at the spring game. If we don’t see changes when the real games hit, then email me.

Hondo do you think MSU is going to make any uniform changes? Like that big ugly stripe? Johnny in East Lansing

No I do not.

Hondo I was wondering if you have talked with Dan Roushar since he left MSU? How is he doing? He sure seemed like a good guy. Mark

Yes I have Mark. He is doing well. I am sure he and his family will enjoy five weeks off after OTAs and no recruiting. Dan is a friend and always will be. A fantastic person and a great family.

There you go everyone, another week of your MSU FB questions and emails. Do you have one for next week? Email me at SpartanNationMail@yahoo.com and in the subject line include FB Q/A and you must include your name!