To: Matt Wenzel at MLive.com
Hi Matt,
I frequently read your articles on MLive.com and noted today’s column with regard to football recruiting at Michigan State.
And as a writer, I know it is easy to overstate facts on occasion, but you repeatedly state that Mel Tucker has been aggressively recruiting since arriving at Michigan State. In fact in today’s article, you state Mel Tucker “…has placed a heavy emphasis on recruiting since taking over the Spartans in February…”
Yet the facts don’t support that premise.
During the offseason, there were 15, D-1 Coaching changes, and as of Saturday, Aug 15, when measuring recruiting rankings of those 15 schools, all of whom have “first year” coaching staffs, the Spartans recruiting class ranked an abysmal #75 and only Ole Miss ranked worse.
Take a look at Recruiting Rankings amongst other “first year” coaching staffs as at Aug 15:
- Florida State #24
- Washington #25
- Arkansas #28
- Missouri #29
- Rutgers #35
- Boston College #37
- Mississippi State #38
- Memphis #40
- Florida Atlantic #48
- Appalachian State #54
- Washington State #58
- Colorado (formerly coached by Mel Tucker) #66
- San Diego State #71 (coached by former Michigan coach, Brady Hoke)
- Michigan State #75
- Ole Miss #76
In that past two days, there has been some minor shuffling, and the Spartans added a D-End and now rank #68. But think about that? #68?. That’s lower than Rutgers, Florida Atlantic and Appalachian State. In fact, this is the Spartans worst recruiting ranking since recruiting services and recruiting rankings were established some 20 years ago.
I’s also worth noting, the Spartans have lost 6 highly visible recruiting battles, including Gabe Nealy who committed yet decommitted after 44 days, and then Jake Renda who committed and then decommitted after just 36 days.
Not a good look.
Mel Tucker and his staff better get busy because most of the highly regarded recruits have already been taken off the board.
Respectfully,
Dayne Thomas
Will2Win.Blog
