Tag: Michigan State Football

Michigan State recruiting target Steffan Johnson de-commits from Rutgers

Mel Tucker lands another three-star cornerback out of Venice, Florida.

Crootin’.

Not long after Mel Tucker and Michigan State football offered him, former Rutgers commit Steffan Johnson has opened up his recruitment.

Johnson, who is teammates–and defensive backfield partners–with MSU commit Chuck Brantley at Venice High in Florida, announced on Instagram Live Saturday that he was no longer committed to Rutgers and that his recruitment is now open. Many recruiting insiders think MSU has a very good shot at landing Johnson thanks in large part to Brantley already on board at MSU.

Around the time Johnson tweeted that he had a big announcement coming, Brantley tweeted the following:

Then after Johnson de-commited Brantley tweeted:

Smoke. Fire. Yada yada.

Johnson is a three-star prospect, rated as the No. 123 cornerback in the class of 2021 by the 247Sports composite rankings. He is an intriguing developmental prospect, as he was forced to play quarterback for Venice during his junior season due to injuries. There Johnson rushed for nearly 1,000 yards while lead his team to the 7A state semifinals in Florida. In 2018 Johnson was the starting quarterback at North Port High School. MSU’s coaches are hoping Johnson’s athletic profile make him a good candidate to transition to a full-time defensive back if he decides to go green.

Rutgers, Virginia, and Michigan State are Johnson’s only power five offers. He also has offers from a number of group of five schools.

Michigan State’s 2021 recruiting class ranks 62nd in the country and 12th in the Big Ten.

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Michigan State football team to quarantine for 14 days after positive COVID-19 tests

Michigan State Football will enter a self-imposed quarantine after two staff members and one student-athlete tested positive for COVID-19.

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Up until this week, Michigan State Football has had some of the better COVID-19 results in the country. However, after a staff member tested positive for the coronavirus earlier this week, the team paused all workouts. Today, it was announced that the team will enter a two-week quarantine after one more staff member and one student-athlete tested positive for the virus.

No details were released about the state of those who tested positive, but we wish a speedy recovery to those who received positive tests if they are experiencing symptoms and we applaud Michigan State for their diligence in quickly pausing workouts and now quarantining the team to prevent further spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Here are both statements from the team:

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Michigan State RB Elijah Collins named to Maxwell Award Watchlist

Michigan State RB Elijah Collins has been named to the Maxwell Award Watchlist. Read more details about this award and Collins here.

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Last season, Elijah Collins became a household name amongst Spartan Football fans. Now, the Michigan State RB has been named to the Maxwell Award Watchlist.

The Maxwell Award is given out every year to a college football player judged to be the best all-around in the United States. The Award is judged by the National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches, a panel of sportscasters and sportswriters, and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club.

The Maxwell Award is named after Robert “Tiny” Maxwell. Last year, the Maxwell Award was handed out to Joe Burrow. The year before, Tua Tagovailoa. Elijah Collins is in great company here.

Connor Heyward named to Paul Hornung Award Watchlist

Michigan State running back Connor Heyward has been named to the Watchlist for the Paul Hornung Award.

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On Thursday, it was announced that Michigan State Football running back Connor Heyward has been named to the Paul Hornung Award Watchlist. This is an award given to the nation’s most versatile player. In 2018, Connor Heyward was a finalist for the award.

Heyward is a very interesting player to watch this season. Last year, he had entered the transfer portal but has since decided to stay with the Spartans. There was speculation heading into this season that he could try his hand at wide receiver or even tight end, but as of right now he is still listed as running back. Even the thought that he could transition to one of those two roles is a major testament to his versatility.

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Michigan State Football pauses workouts after staff member tests positive for COVID-19

MSU Football will pause all workouts after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday.

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According to a press release from the MSU Athletic Department, Michigan State Football will pause all workouts and not begin its anticipated 20-hour practice weeks after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, July 22nd.

The Football team was currently slated to increase to a 20-hour practice week, escalating from the voluntary workouts and 8-hour practice weeks they had done up until this point, but will now pause given the new news. According to the release, the program will pause all activity until “…it receives the complete results from all surveillance testing.”

You can read the full release below:

At this time, no players have been found to have a positive test, and we will keep updating this story as more news is released. The start of the football season as originally planned is extremely contingent on giving teams enough time to safely practice, so this is a major story to monitor for anyone hoping for a safe start to the football season this fall.

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Michigan State Football offers 3-star OG Parker Brailsford

Michigan State has offered 3-star 2022 offensive guard Parker Brailsford out of Arizona.

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Earlier this week, Michigan State Football and head coach Mel Tucker offered a top-50 offensive guard in the 2022 class in Scottsdale, Arizona’s Parker Brailsford. Brailsford announced the offer on social media on Monday.

Brailsford, who currently attends Saguaro High School, is 247Sports‘ No. 20 ranked player in the state of Arizona and their No. 42 ranked offensive guard for the 2022 class. For those wondering, Brailsford is 6’2″, so, while not a massive lineman as we’ve seen Tucker has a taste for recruiting, he is a big boy at 265 pounds.

The recruitment for Brailsford has only just started to pick up steam, with offers thus far only coming from USC, Northern Arizona, New Mexico and now Michigan State.

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MSU Football offers Cole Martin, son of former Spartan Demetrice Martin

Michigan State has extended an offer to Cole Martin, whose father Demetrice played for Michigan State in the 90s.

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This particular bit of recruiting news has some interesting aspects, follow with me for a minute. On Wednesday, it was announced that Michigan State Football has offered 2023 recruiting prospect Cole Martin, a currently unranked multi-position athlete out of Hamilton High School in Chandler, Arizona. Martin is the son of Demetrice Martin, who was another multi-positional standout who played for the Spartans back in the 1990s.

Interestingly enough, Demetrice Martin just joined the staff at Colorado, joining Mel Tucker’s head coaching replacement with the Buffaloes, Karl Dorrell, as the cornerbacks coach. The Buffaloes are also recruiting Martin so this is an interesting recruiting battle to monitor, as the young prospect could have to choose between playing under his dad’s tutelage or joining his dad’s alma mater.

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Michigan State Football releases jersey numbers of incoming new players

Michigan State released the complete list of new jersey numbers that will be worn by incoming new additions to the team in 2020.

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Unless something changes, we are currently hurtling towards the start of a new college football season. That reality became even more clear today as Michigan State released the new jersey numbers of every new player on the team.

This list is largely made up of freshmen, but there are also some transfers and new additions of note like new punter Mitchell Crawford and former Division II defensive back Justin White.

You can check out the full list of new numbers below:

Michigan State Football hosts 4-star New Jersey CB Darian ‘Duce’ Chestnut

Michigan State Football hosted 4-star New Jersey CB Darian ‘Duce’ Chestnut on a virtual visit this past week. Read more details.

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Mel Tucker and the Michigan State football recruiting staff have done a good job connecting with recruits during an unprecedented pandemic.

4-star 2021 CB Darian ‘Duce’ Chestnut told Adam Friedman of Rivals that the Spartans hosted him on a virtual visit recently.

Here is what Chestnut had to say about Michigan State:

“They’re also in the Big Ten and I’d have an opportunity to play early,” he said. “I like the coaching staff. Coach Tucker and I talk almost everyday. I love the staff.”

Note, Chestnut listed Michigan State football in his top-8 choices for recruiting.

According to 247Sports Composite Rankings, he ranks as the No. 6 recruit in New Jersey and the No. 23 CB in the 2021 class. More importantly, he has an amazing nickname.

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Locked On Spartans Podcast: Mark Staten said whaaaat?!

Plus, another round of the game about a game.

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Wil and Matt talk about former MSU assistant Mark Staten’s comments about no longer getting to play MSU now that he is at Toledo. Then they play another round of Matt’s game about a game and take some listener questions.

You can find the episode on iTunes, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

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