Junior Phenoms Land Spartan Offers

While the race to finish out the recruiting class of 2010 is ongoing, Michigan State, along with every other proactive football program in the nation, is

While the race to finish out the recruiting class of 2010 is ongoing, Michigan State, along with every other proactive football program in the nation, is already in mid-sprint for talent in the class of 2011. After September 1, high school juniors in the 2009-10 school year were allowed to receive recruiting materials according to NCAA recruiting rules. For some players, that means glossy brochures, perhaps a media guide or other promotional materials; but the cream of the crop, the most talented players who have already made an impact at the varsity level as underclassmen, begin to receive much more focused attention in the form of their first scholarship offers.

MSU extended offers to a pair of in-state standouts earlier this week, one expected to be a heavy Spartan lean, the other a potential deadly offensive weapon in the form of a wide receiver from Saginaw.

Lawrence Thomas plays ball for Detroit Renaissance. Well, actually, it's more like he plays wrecking ball as the next big-time linebacker being groomed by the Phoenix. Thomas is coming fast on the heels of former teammate and current Spartan frosh Chris Norman, a high school Butkus Award finalist in his own right. Thomas flies around the football field on defense, filling gaps and making plays as if wanted to compete at the collegiate level already; although 6-foot-3 and comfortably over 200 pounds, about the only thing other than a high school diploma keeping him from doing exactly that is a bit more physical maturity and on-field seasoning. Otherwise, he looks as strong, if not stronger, and arguably more advanced than where Chris Norman was at the same time in his high school career, and Norman is pushing upperclassmen for playing time as a true freshman at MSU.

Thomas will draw national attention, but MSU has to feel confident with former Renaissance players such as Norman, Dana Dixon and Mylan Hicks already on the roster. Renaissance coach Antonio Watts has also gone on record extolling the work of Mark Dantonio, praising his efforts to reach out to communities throughout southeast Michigan.

DeAnthony Arnett (highlight film here: Link) has the lanky arms of a star wide receiver and a sprint that uncomfortably stretches the field for any defense. I've watched Arnett in person, and the smooth-as-silk runner, who stands 6-foot-even and weighs around 170 pounds, has glue-stick hands and deceptive speed, all tremendously valuable characteristics for his skill position. That's why both MSU and Michigan have stepped up to the plate and offered Arnett a scholarship offer just as soon as they could.

Earlier this month, Arnett told Spartan Nation's Jeffrey Cottrell he felt comfortable with the MSU coaching staff, saying he liked the straight-forward nature of the coaches, who have already taught him new things about being a receiver. In addition, Arnett hails from Saginaw, at the high school where former Spartan great Charles Rogers also graduated from. Add to that the fact that Draymond Green, a rising star on the Spartan basketball team, also went to school at Saginaw and you've got some pretty strong pull toward East Lansing in terms of attracting Arnett.

One thing's for sure with this Spartan coaching staff: they know how to recruit the state of Michigan. After the hauls they have pulled from the bounty of in-state talent the past couple years, no one would be surprised if MSU pulled off another one-two punch in football recruiting, akin to Larry Caper and Edwin Baker, the pair of standout running backs the Green & White pulled in last season from Battle Creek and Oak Park, respectively. Will MSU be welcoming both of these talented student-athletes to the Spartan family by the time Signing Day in February, 2011 rolls around? Impossible to tell. But can they? Absolutely.