Mark Dantonio Lands Another Blue Chip Player for the 2011 Class: QB Connor Cook

The 2011 Spartan football recruiting class garnered its fourth commitment on Saturday and by all indications of the talent so far the 2011 class could exceed

The 2011 Spartan football recruiting class garnered its fourth commitment on Saturday and by all indications of the talent so far the 2011 class could exceed the 2009 and 2010 class.

 

On Saturday afternoon, the Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit QB Connor Cook let the Spartans know that he was officially accepting their offer to be the next to join the team. We spoke earlier tonight to the entire Cook family.

 

Connor told us, “Coach Dantonio and Coach Warner were all smiles and really happy. They stood up shook our hands. They are just great people and our family is so proud to be part of what they are doing.”

 

Here is some great video of Cook VIDEO 1 and VIDEO 2.

 

The big 6’5” 200 pound youngster with the rocket arm fits well into Mark Dantonio’s system. “We run a pro set now in high school and I think I fit in pretty well,” was how Connor described his talent and the MSU system.

 

Cook has the height of new Spartan QB Joe Boisture, but should have the weight of Keith Nichol when he steps on campus, which is in that 215 range. Connor has an excellent arm that can make all the deep throws, but can also show off the pin point accuracy on routes and the touch to throw it over the LBs and drop it to a TE or a RB out of the backfield.

 

Football success is not something new to the Connor family. His father Christopher once played for the Hoosiers. “It was an honor that Michigan State felt so highly about Connor and made it known. I thought I had something to teach him, but this was never about me. I told him that this was about him, we’ve lived it. This was Connor’s time. He would sit and listen to me and ask questions and he was never a know it all. To this day he will be attentive and listen and take in all the advice. I told him from day one that I was here and willing to give advice, but this was his choice.”

 

Chris went on to say, “We wanted him to pick Michigan State. That was our feeling, but we wanted him to make the choice. Any time a new team would call and offer or get a hold of him his mom would say can they play in a Rose Bowl? We knew they couldn’t and that was all we would say.”

 

Connor continues the long line of Dantonio recruits that brings a strong commitment to the classroom to East Lansing. He as a 3.4 GPA. He is also a high character young man off the field and will fit in with what Coach Dantonio is doing at MSU.

 

So what drew this talented QB to MSU? “Michigan State met the criteria that I set up before the process. The coaches are family oriented. Other schools say it, but at MSU they live it. Mrs. Dantonio, his kids, other coaches’ wives and kids are always around. My dad talked about back in his day there was a lot of F bombs and swearing and screaming at players and that isn’t how that staff operates. It is nice to see coaches that care and that love their players. They really and truly live what they say. I wanted to be part of that family, not just the team.”

 

Did the Spartan Nation have a secret weapon in the process with Connor? Lawrence Thomas texted me earlier in the week and told me, “We have to get you in the green and white.” Connor exclaimed, “I didn’t tell him anything. He is so close to the coaches that I was afraid he would tell them before I could.”

 

So will Connor be on the phone trying to get recruits to join him like LT did for him? “Yes Sir! Doran Grant is one of my good buddies and he was at the scrimmage this weekend also and he is one of the most highly sought after corners in the nation. I will also go after Deanthony Arnett and any other player I learn about.”

 

Even Connor’s mom Donna is excited to be the newest member of the Spartan Nation. “I knew on February 21st that MSU was where I wanted him to be. Coach Narduzzi was his primary recruiter and he is such an intense and wonderful man. We have always said defense wins games. I think it really was important that he was the defensive coordinator because of his passion and he was so pumped. We know how important defense is so that was great.” 

 

We will have more on Connor in the May issue of Spartan Nation Magazine.

 

Here are the other three players that Connor is joining at MSU who have already commited to the 2011 class:

 

1)     Onaje Miller RB Lansing, MI  Article  Video

2)     Lawrence Thomas LB Detroit, MI  Article  Video

3)     Taiwan Jones ATH New Baltimore, MI  Article Video