Two More Get Spartan Offers for 2011 Football Recruiting Class and a Look at Several Others Who are on the Radar

One thing that has made the Spartans successful on the recruiting trails is the early jump they get on their junior recruiting. Since the last article that looked at the current junior class, two more prospects have added offers from the Spartans.

 

Mark Dantonio has his focus on the 2010 class, but is looking ahead for 2011.

We will take a close look at those two prospects, as well as examine 13 other prospects who you should keep your eye on, as they may be getting offers shortly with junior day approaching.

The two prospects who have added Spartan offers are Justice Hayes and Andre Sturdivant.

Justice Hayes is a running back out of Grand Blanc, MI and is current 5’10 and 175lbs. He has great speed (4.4 forty), great hands, and is very elusive. He will need to work on his pass blocking to see any playing time, as well as increase his strength to be able to power through tacklers. I expect him to improve in both areas and when that is combined with the lack of depth at RB, expect him to be playing as a freshman.

Andre Sturdivant is a linebacker from powerhouse Cleveland Glenville. He is currently 6’3 and 225 and could be up around 245 when he arrives on campus. He is very athletic and has good quickness for a linebacker, even at that weight. His biggest asset is the power he brings to every play, whether he is throwing blockers around or stuffing running backs at the line, it is very difficult not to be blown away when you watch him. He will be competing with fellow Spartan offer and junior Lawrence Thomas for the right to be the highest rated LB in the country.

Now we will briefly examine the 13 prospects that are very close to receiving their offers. (By Position)

Cole Stoudt – QB – 6-4 185 – Dublin, OH – Very intelligent and accurate passer, has great field presence. Will need a year in the weight room to get his weight and strength up.

Charles Davis – RB – 5’11 191 – Neptune, NJ – runs a 4.45 forty, is a very balanced back, can run inside or outside, can block, can catch, does not do any of the previously mentioned better than another. Has the strength to come in and compete right away.

Robert Walton – RB – 5’10 200 – Cleveland, OH (Glenville) – runs a 4.5 forty, very powerful (Caulcrick-type) back, very rarely is brought down by just one or two guys, very solid fundamentally in all aspects of the game, has the size and strength to compete immediately.

Kenny Knight – WR – 6’4 190 – Beverly Hills, MI – a Keshawn Martin type of receiver in the way his team uses him (running reverses, wildcat, screens, deep passes), Has the size to go over the middle, good hands, could add a little size and strength during his senior year to make him ready to make an immediate impact.

Jake Reed – TE – 6’4 221 – Columbus, IN – very powerful blocker (for both run and pass) and a very good pass catcher, fundamentally sound in all aspects of the TE position, could add some size but has the strength and ability to compete.

Bryan Bell – OT – 6’5 270 – Commerce Township, MI – very good footwork and use of hands, has quick feet to neutralize rush ends, could add some size and strength

Jack Konopka – OT – 6’6 250 – Palatine, IL – currently plays tackle but would project better as a guard at the college level, lacks the quickness to neutralize fast ends but displays great power and leg drive when he makes contact, needs to add size and strength to play either G or T

Kiaro Holts – OT – 6’4 266 – Indianapolis, IN – a little undersized for a tackle but makes up for it in explosiveness, very solid fundamentally with good technique, could play either G or T at the next level, will need to add size to play T, could contribute at G right away

Brian Bobek – C – 6’3 258 – Palatine, IL – very smart player with a good understanding of the game, displays good pass and run protection abilities, has the size, strength, and intangibles to contribute immediately.

Brian Mihalik – DE – 6’7 225 – Avon Lake, OH – uses height to his advantage batting down balls, has good quickness and runs a 4.75 forty, very sure tackler, displays good smarts when it comes to staying home and not overrunning the play, will need to add size and strength to compete at the Big Ten level

Nick Temple – LB – 6’0 200 – Indianapolis, IN – a game-changing run-stopper, is a very sure tackler, has very good lateral quickness, has a nose for the ball and is great at filling gaps, needs to work on his pass coverage, both in man and zone, has the size and strength to compete

Delonte Hollowell – CB – 5’8 163 – Detroit, MI – has extraordinary technique and is always making a play on the ball, good open field tackler, is a bit undersized and lacks the speed (4.65 forty) and jumping ability to lockdown bigger receivers and make plays on deep balls

Trae Waynes – S – 6’0 170 – Kenosha, WI – has blazing speed (4.300 forty, expected to be around 4.28 when he steps on campus), uses his speed to his advantage by jumping routes and completely taking away the deep part of the field, good open fielder tackler, needs to add a little size and strength and needs to work on his technique to make immediate contributions, could play CB or S.