Spartans Recruiting Abundant 2010 Wide Receiver Talent, in the Region and Beyond
A few days ago, Spartan Nation took a look at the defensive tackle position for the recruiting class of 2010. Spreading its wings beyond the region, MSU is searching for a run stuffer who combines bulk and athleticism, the kind of player in demand by programs from coast to coast.
Wide receiver is another position of need for most squads, and for MSU, building depth at the skill positions is an important consideration. Sure, the position at State has plenty of youth, but some of that talent has not reached its full potential and there's always room for competition, especially at a position where players may be pilfered by other units on the team.
Sure, Grand Blanc's Tony Jones decided to go elsewhere, but that shouldn’t have Spartan fans crying in their milk. If there's one position at which there's an abundance of talent nationwide, and where talent can also be coached up, it's at wide receiver – witness former walk-on Blair White, MSU's shining example to the world of the power of sweat and perseverance. And while there may be room for multiple WR's in any given class, the truth of the matter is that, at receiver, many players really enter their collegiate careers as athletes, perfectly capable of lining up on offense, but once established, perhaps jumping across the line to play defense, depending on development, attrition or a number of other factors.
The most prominent name on the WR board, Illinois' Kyle Prater, has all but eliminated MSU from contention. While that name might have made some headlines, there truly are many more fish in the sea, beginning with Indiana's Dyjuan Lewis.
Lewis is the top uncommitted prospect from the state of Indiana, and his recent performance in the inaugural game of his high school season shows exactly why. The 6-foot-2, 190 pound speedster from Indianapolis's Pike HS recorded a pair of over 90-yard touchdowns, one on a kickoff and one catching the ball, last Friday. Lewis is a rising star and MSU is on his heels, but his recruitment is likely to continue well into the season, giving him time to make some official visits before settling on a school
Out of East Cleveland, Ohio, Tyrone Williams remains one of the top uncommitted players from the Buckeye State. While the Cleveland area may be fertile ground for MSU, walking into Ohio State's territory and cherry-picking top talent is always a tall order. Good thing OSU has a national scope when it comes to recruiting, and Michigan has already landed a pair of Ohio receivers, so the competition may not be as thick as it first appears. Plus, Williams, 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, is recovering from a torn ACL, so many have taken a wait and see approach to his senior season. But the Spartans are still in on the talented receiver, and if his abilities are still up there with the rest of the prospects on MSU's radar, Williams could be a steal akin to Javon Ringer, another Ohio native discounted early on because of a knee injury in high school.
Torian Richardson, from Duncan, South Carolina, lives in terrain familiar to Mark Dantonio. While a few S.C. players have appeared on MSU's radar over the past couple years, pulling talent from the south is always a tall order. The Spartans have been in on Richardson from the start, though, one of the first schools to extend an offer, so longevity might be a bonus in his recruitment. MSU is one of the most prominent programs on Richardson's offer list, competing, for now, against the likes of Syracuse, Mississippi State, Louisville and Rutgers. But that could change with some of the SEC powerhouses also showing interest. Williams, as well, is scheduled for official visits, so landing the young man on campus for a fall game will be an important step for MSU or any other program looking to secure his services on the gridiron.
One way or the other, MSU is looking for a wide receiver to fill the void that will be left when senior Blair White leaves the team after this season. And while landing a star high schooler is where the focus is at right now, one need look no further than former walk-on Blair White to understand the strides any player can make at the wide receiver position. A commitment to excellence and hard work, practicing his ball catching skill every chance he gets while making sure routes are run crisply, is all that's required of great players at WR. And with this coaching staff, no matter who ends up in green and white, the chances that that young man will possess the attitude and aptitude to excel at the next level are pretty good, no matter how many shiny stars are next to his name.
