Spartan Staff Is What Won Over Newest Commit (#10 for 2012) RB Nick Tompkins

 

Tompkins has all of the tools, but it is what is inside that makes him special. This young man is a terrific youngster. Photo courtesy of Tompkins.

Mark Dantonio added another top tier recruit to the 2012 recruiting class. After having snagged WR A.J. Sims from Snellville Georgia last year, he added A.J.’s teammate Nick Tompkins this evening.

Tompkins has an incredible range of motion and had an offer list of over 20 schools. Many of them came from the Big Ten and SEC. He is a great running back and in addition to great range of motion he is blessed with super vision.

Tompkins told me tonight that he stands 5’10 and weighs 175. He also runs a 4.38 forty and carries 3.2 GPA.

Those things are great, but a lot of players have talent. What sets Tompkins apart is the character side. Tompkins is known as much for his off the field character, as his on the field talent.

His father Reggie (who played WR for the Wisconsin Badgers) told me tonight, “Coach Salem really stood out, the running back’s coach. His knowledge of the game and watching film and showing us drills and all the technical things that the fan doesn’t see really stood out. He showed us how the training, the coaching, and all that goes into a play. He could show us film and then what drills he taught to make it happen. He showed us what he could do to get my son to the next level if he can take his game to that level. That stood out a lot. Coach Salem is an excellent teacher and disciplinarian.”

Reggie talked about his impressions of MSU and the coaching staff when he said, “Coach Dantonio is a very serious guy who cares deeply about the program and his players, and cares deeply about the image that Michigan State projects. When you are around a man like that you know he is going to instill discipline. I was looking for a head coach who was going to do that. He is serious about kids getting their education. Coach Warner is a good guy who wanted us to see Michigan State and never promised anything. He didn’t exaggerate; they just sold us on what Michigan State was all about.”

It’s one thing to impress the father, but it is the player that ultimately makes the decision. Nick Tompkins told me about his decision. “I looked everything over and I think they have the complete package. I am a family guy. They have and offer that. I am serious about school and they are also. It was a perfect place. They are committed to family and that was me.”

He shares with his father a great admiration for Mark Dantonio and the staff. “Mark Dantonio is a great Christian man, he has such a heart and that was the best staff I met. Coach Salem is a great coach and is very smart and intelligent. I was visiting and he was teaching me how to go from a good back to a great back and an NFL back. I love the way he teaches and that was on a visit.”

Tompkins is the tenth commitment for Dantonio in what is shaping up to be one of his best classes ever in his five years. 

You can hear both Nick and Reggie on Spartan Nation Radio on Monday, 6-9 PM EST. If you live in Mid-Michigan you can listen on AM 1080 or CLICK THIS LINK to listen live from anywhere in the world.