EAST LANSING – It is National Signing Day. Chaos and anxiety will soon swoop down on every major college campus in the country, as coaches and fans will be waiting for the top prospects to choose a hat.
Thankfully, this isn’t the world of wizardry where a sorting hat chooses someone’s destiny. Could you imagine? What if the greatest players in history played for a different program?
The entire football universe would be flipped upside down. Archie Griffin a Michigan Wolverine? The Boz wearing Texas burnt orange instead of Oklahoma Sooner crimson? It could have even altered the Academy Award Winning Picture, Forrest Gump.
Forrest darting across the field for the Auburn Tigers instead of playing for the almighty Crimson Tide and Paul “Bear” Bryant?
The thought is comical.
Yet, it is almost certain Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio would have his signature scowl cemented on his face if former quarterback Connor Cook would have been destined somewhere else.
That would have been catastrophic.
Nevertheless, that is not how signing day works. The athletes have a choice. Peyton Manning chose to attend Tennessee despite the fact his dad Archie is considered the greatest Ole Miss Rebel of all time.
With some of the best recruits already committed to play for the green and white, Dantonio has his team looking to get back to the College Football Playoff.
The Spartans have loaded up on perimeter talent as they brought in two dynamic playmakers at the wide receiver position. Cam Chambers and Donnie Corley look to cause mismatch problems for every team the Spartans face. Along with Madre London, Gerald Holmes, and LJ Scott in the backfield, MSU has a plethora of weapons in the arsenal.
Replacing the all-time winningest quarterback in Michigan State history is no easy task. Tyler O’Connor and Damion Terry took snaps all year long, but filling Cook’s shoes is going to be tough. Moreover, there is a new sheriff in town named Messiah deWeaver.
A dual threat quarterback, deWeaver has a strong arm and uncanny athletic ability. He fits perfectly in the pro-style offense given his powerful velocity when releasing the ball, but his athleticism makes him a nightmare for any defensive coordinator. Dual threat quarterbacks seem to give Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide fits, as America witnessed Clemson’s DeShaun Watson rack up yard and after yard in this year’s National Title game. However, weighing at 215 lbs. deWeaver will need to put on weight if he wants to start right away.
Below is the entire list of new enrollees attending Michigan State, and come Wednesday night, this rough sketch will turn into an immaculate design of the new class of Spartans.
The eight early enrollees have signed with Michigan State and have already made the transition to campus life in East Lansing. They have begun the daily routine of a collegiate athlete, attending classes and workout sessions. Adapting to college life is critical for anyone, especially an athlete. The rigorous hours spent in the film room or weight room can take a toll, but adapting early gives these student athletes a distinct edge when competing on Saturdays next fall.
2016 Early Enrollees
LB Joe Bachie 6-2 225 lbs Brookpark, OH (Berea-Midpark)
Bachie is one of the top linebackers in the entire country, leading Berea-Midpark High School with 89 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss. Also a talented running back, Bachie rushed for 14 touchdowns as a senior.He capped his career setting the record for most rushing touchdowns in school history with 33 total TD’s. Also lettered in basketball and baseball.
WR Cam Chambers 6-3 203 lbs Sicklerville, NJ (Timber Creek Regional)
Chambers played in the in the 2016 U.S. Army All-American Bowl after recording 63 catches for 1,041 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior.
“Cam Chambers is a big strong and fast receiver. He is physically imposing on the football field, plus he has the speed to take the ball all the way to the end zone on every catch,” ~Coach Dantonio on Chambers
WR/CB Donnie Corley 6-3 185 lbs Detroit, MI (Martin Luther King)
Corley snatched 59 receptions for 1,403 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior in high school. Corley was also a U.S. Army All-American this past season.
“Corley is a tremendous athlete, with outstanding speed, quickness and agility. He has incredible instincts for the football plus the ball skills to match,” ~Coach Dantonio on Corley
QB Messiah deWeaver 6-4 215 lbs Huber Heights, OH (Wayne)
The quarterback finished his senior season by playing in the 2016 Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl. He accounted for 3,088 total yards and 35 touchdowns during his senior year.
“Messiah is a big talented quarterback, who has displayed great decision and playmaking ability. He has very good accuracy and arm strength as well as the mobility to extend plays. Along with being an excellent game manager he is a real student of the game,” ~Coach Dantonio on deWeaver
DE Mufi Hunt 6-6 215 lbs Sandy, UT (Taylorsville)
ESPN ranked Hunt in the top 50 for best defensive ends in the country. During his senior campaign, Hunt collected 73 tackles, and 12 sacks in 2014. Originally signed with MSU on Feb. 4, 2015. Cut short his Latter-day Saints mission to Mount Vernon, Virginia, due to a knee injury.
OT Thiyo Lukusa 6-5 330 lbs Traverse City, MI (DePaul Catholic)
Lukusa is ranked near the top of the list for the nation’s top offensive tackles. Big and strong do not justify how dominant Lukusa is. In addition to his size, it is his footwork and agility that makes him stand apart from other offensive lineman. Lettering in basketball and track and field as well, Lukusa is a natural athlete that just so happens to be a monster in the trenches.
“He has outstanding footwork that he has helped define through his success on the basketball court,” ~Coach Dantonio on Lukusa
S Kenney Lyke 6-2 185 lbs Hoffman Estates, IL (William Fremd)
Lyke was one of the best safeties in the nation, earning first-team all-state honors during his senior campaign. He recorded 68 tackles, and an interception while rushing for 935 yards and 13 touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball. Lettering in track and field as well, Lyke is a dynamite athlete with natural instincts to seek the ball at the safety position.
“Lyke showcased his football talent by playing multiple positions in high school. As a senior, he really excelled on the offensive side of the football. He is a tough, physical, and aggressive safety, who has very good speed to go along with the ability to tackle in space,” ~Coach Dantonio on Lyke
SN Bradley Robinson 6-2 210 lbs Troy, MI (Athens)
Ranked the top long snapper in Michigan coming out of high school, and played middle linebacker as well. He has great velocity on his snap and is extremely athletic adding him on punt coverage. His linebacker knowledge adds him on coverage packages and can tackle in open space.
