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Published Dec 25, 2001
Class of 2000
Matt Dorsey
Publisher

The class of 2000 is considered by recruiting analysts as one of the top classes MSU has ever recruited. Every major recruiting service had the class listed as one of the top 10 in the country. The skill positions is where Michigan State really shined. MSU landed QB Jeff Smoker, WR Charles Rogers, and RB Tyrell Dortch. All three of those players were considered elite players at their positions. The class has had some disappointments due to injuries and other factors. All in all this is an outstanding class. The "stars" have really shined, while a few of the "sleeper" players have been a pleasant surprise.

Dominick Brown

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LB, 6-4, 230

Lansing, MI/Sexton HS

UPDATE: Brown came to MSU as a partial qualifier. He originally committed to Indiana, but changed his mind. Brown has all the physical tools to be a Big Ten player, the question is his desire to be that player. He is now working at the DE position and is up around 250 pounds. This spring (2002) should go a long way to determining if Brown is going to be a factor at MSU.

Named to SuperPrep's All-Midwest Team . . . ranked among the state's top players by the Detroit Free Press (No. 7), The Detroit News (No. 8) and Lansing State Journal (No. 10) . . . selected Area Defensive Player of the Year in 1999 by the Lansing State Journal . . . three-year starter for Coach Rob Meyers at Sexton High School in Lansing, Mich. . . . all-state linebacker recorded 159 tackles, including three sacks, as a senior while helping the Big Reds to a 9-0 regular-season mark and the Capital Area Conference title . . . also had three interceptions and three fumble recoveries in '99 . . . runs 4.7 in the 40.

Brian Burns

RB, 6-4, 225

Independence, OH/Independence HS

UPDATE: Burns red-shirted in 2000 and is now playing fullback for the Spartans. Burns has battled injuries while at MSU, but when healthy has shown he has ability. Depending on the RB situation, Burns could be a key member of the 2002 squad. If Dawan Moss seees increased reps at TB, then Burns could see his time at FB increase dramtically.

PrepStar All-American . . . rated among the Midwest's top linebackers (No. 6) by PrepStar . . . named to SuperPrep's All-Midwest Team . . . ranked among Ohio's top players (No. 35) by The Midwest Football Recruiting News . . . two-time all-state running back for Coach Mark Raiff at Independence (Ohio) High School . . . selected Division 6 Offensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press . . . rushed for 1,733 yards (8.5 avg.) and 31 touchdowns in nine games as a senior to earn conference MVP honors . . . picked up nearly 1,600 yards rushing and scored 23 TDs as a junior . . . gained 4,615 rushing yards during his prep career and scored 72 TDs . . . runs 4.5 in the 40 . . . plans to pursue a degree in aviation.

James Cooper

TE, 6-3, 210

St. Louis, MO/Hazelwood East HS

UPDATE: Cooper was red-shirted in 2000, and many thought he would win the WILL job in 2001. Cooper was banged up in the spring and fell behind. Cooper began to show a lot more promise toward the end of the season in 2001, and spring (2002) will be very important for him. If Cooper continues to progress he could be a key member of the Spartan D in 2002.

Ranked among the nation's top 100 players (No. 76) by ESPN.com recruiting analyst Tom Lemming . . . also rated among the nation's top tight ends (No. 15) by Lemming . . . named to PrepStar's All-Midlands Team . . . caught 41 passes for 780 yards (19.0 avg.) and 10 touchdowns as a senior for Coach Rick Gorzynski at Hazelwood East High School in St. Louis . . . runs 4.6 in the 40 . . . plans to major in kinesiology.

Tyrell Dortch

RB, 5-11, 195

Hoboken, NJ/Hoboken HS

UPDATE: What a shame. Tyrell has been everything MSU had hoped for. He showed flashes of brillance as a RB in limited time in 2000 and 2001. Due to massive injuries in 2001 to the secondary, Dortch moved to CB to help out the team. Dortch was showing incredible ability as a CB, and some thought he had NFL type ability. Unfortunately, Tyrell severely broke his leg against Wisconsin. Dortch spent nearly 2 weeks in a Madison Hospital, and underwent several surgeries. The good news is that apparently the bone set correctly. The bad news is that it was such a severe break, that he will probably be out until 2003. Hopefully Tyrell can come back and make a contribution. He will more then likely take his red-shirt in 2002.

Consensus prep All-American . . . listed among the nation's top 100 players by PrepStar and Tom Lemming (No. 58) . . . ranked among the country's top 10 running backs by Lemming (No. 5), SuperPrep (No. 7) and PrepStar (No. 8) . . . rated the Eastern Region's No. 2 running back and No. 11 player overall by PrepStar . . . named New Jersey's Offensive Player of the Year in 1999 by The Newark Star-Ledger . . . all-state running back rushed for a school-record 2,605 yards and 32 touchdowns as a senior . . . gained 289 yards and scored four TDs to lead Hoboken (N.J.) High School to a 27-7 win over Wayne Hills in the '99 North Jersey, Section 1, Group 3 championship game . . . earned all-state honors as a junior after rushing for 1,730 yards and 25 TDs . . . three-year starter for Coach Eddie Stinson, helping Hoboken to back-to-back North Jersey, Section 1, Group 3 titles . . . finished his prep career with 4,846 rushing yards and 60 TDs while averaging 11.1 yards per carry . . . runs 4.4 in the 40.

Damon Dowdell

QB, 6-2, 190

Detroit, MI/Henry Ford HS

UPDATE: Dowdell came to MSU after initially commiting to Cinncinati. Damon red-shirted in 2000. Morris Watts always was high on Dowdell's ability and now we know why. Dowdell came in on special occasions and showed his tremendous athletic ability in 2001. Forced to start against Purdue due to injuries to Smoker and Van Dyke, Dowdell overcame a slow start and threw for over 300 yards. Dowdell is a key part of MSU's QB depth and future.

PrepStar All-American . . . rated among the Midwest's top quarterbacks (No. 5) by PrepStar . . . ranked among the state's top players by The Detroit News (No. 9), Lansing State Journal (No. 18) and Detroit Free Press (No. 21) . . . all-metro selection by both The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press . . . completed 112-of-199 passes (.563) for 2,001 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior, with only three interceptions . . . rushed for 617 yards (9.1 avg.) and nine TDs while helping Henry Ford High School in Detroit win the Public School League title in 1999 . . . threw for 1,793 yards and 22 TDs as a junior . . . added 580 yards rushing and scored six times in '98 . . . rewrote the school record book in only two seasons as the starting quarterback for Coach Mike Marshall . . . set career passing marks for completions (230), attempts (405), yards (3,840) and TDs (45) . . . sacked only five times in two years . . . runs 4.6 in the 40.

Clifford Dukes

LB, 6-3, 235

Lexington Park, MD/Great Mills HS

UPDATE: Dukes came to MSU as a LB/FB, but was switched to DE after red-shirting in 2000. Dukes was not considered a high level recruit, but has proved to be a valuable player. Dukes saw signifigant time as a DE in 2001 and should only improve. Dukes has bulked up. MSU needs a player like Dukes to develop into a pass rush threat. Right now Dukes is more of a hold the point type of DE. Dukes is another player who willbe one to watch this spring.

Ranked among the Mid-Atlantic's top players by SuperPrep (No. 13) and Tom Lemming's Prep Football Report (No. 30) . . . rated among the state's top fullbacks (No. 3) by Lemming . . . recorded 105 tackles (56 solos, 49 assists), including eight for losses, and intercepted two passes as a senior for Coach Bill Greer at Great Mills (Md.) High School . . . also forced four fumbles and recovered three . . . rushed for 619 yards on 119 carries and scored seven touchdowns in '99 . . . runs 4.7 in the 40 . . . plans to pursue a degree in animal science.

Jeremy Fairrow

DB, 6-1, 197

Evansville, IN/Evansville HS

UPDATE: Fairrow looked to have a very bright future at MSU after seeing lots of time on Special Teams as a true freshmen. Unfortunately, Fairrow did not take care of business in the classroom and was declared ineligible for 2001. Fairrow has since decided to go back home from what Spartan Magazine has heard. Fairrow would have had a shot at a starting S spot if still at MSU. His departure is one of the disappointments of this class.

PrepStar All-American . . . named to PrepStar's and SuperPrep's All-Midwest Teams . . . ranked among the Midwest's top players (No. 16) by the Detroit Free Press . . . listed among the Midwest's top running backs (No. 6) by PrepStar . . . rated the No. 2 prospect in Indiana by The Midwest Football Recruiting News . . . two-time all-state selection (running back in 1999 and outside linebacker in '98) for Coach Mike Owen at Evansville (Ind.) Central High School . . . voted Metro Player of the Year . . . gained 1,785 yards on 278 rushes and scored 24 touchdowns in only seven games as a senior . . . registered 95 tackles, including 20 for losses, and caused 12 fumbles as a linebacker . . . rushed for 1,888 yards and 27 TDs as a junior . . . had 58 tackles and six interceptions in '98 . . . runs 4.5 in the 40.

Mark Goebel

RB, 6-2, 215

Milford, MI/Brother Rice HS

UPDATE: Goebel was the first signee of this class, and was called a "program guy" by MSU coaches. A program guy is a player who does whatever it takes to win. He gets dirty and gives 100% all the time. Goebel was forced into duty at LB as a true freshmen due to injuries, when a red-shirt would have been best. Goebel moved to FB this fall to help out with depth there. Goebel is a special teams mainstay. Goebel is the type of player who makes the players around him and the program as a whole better.

Featured on PrepStar's and SuperPrep's All-Midwest Teams . . . ranked among the state's top players by Tom Lemming's Prep Football Report (No. 11), Lansing State Journal (No. 12), The Midwest Football Recruiting News (No. 14), The Detroit News (No. 16) and Detroit Free Press (No. 25) . . . earned all-state and all-metro honors in 1999 . . . rushed for 1,585 yards (5.7 avg.) and 15 touchdowns as a senior . . . finished the regular season as the fourth-leading rusher in Oakland County . . . recorded 126 tackles from his linebacker position . . . picked up nearly 900 yards rushing as a junior and scored 12 TDs . . . three-year starter and three-time team MVP for Coach Al Fracassa at Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. . . . runs 4.6 in the 40.

Jason Harmon

DB, 6-0, 185

Ironton, OH/Ironton HS

UPDATE: Harmon came to MSU without much hype, but quickly made his presence felt. Before being injured and getting a red-shirt in 2000, Harmon was seeing time in passing situations. This year he was the starting CB as a RS freshmen, until a broken foot ended his season. Harmon will battle for a starting spot at CB next season. Harmon's strong points are that he is a sure tackler and a big hitter.

Earned first-team All-Ohio and All-Southeast District honors as a senior . . . voted Southeast Ohio District Offensive Player of the Year . . . selected to play in the Ohio North-South and Ohio-Pennsylvania Big 33 All-Star Games . . . rushed for 1,500 yards (6.7 avg.) and 21 touchdowns as a senior while helping Ironton (Ohio) High School to a 10-4 record . . . led the team with 24 catches for 640 yards (26.7 avg.) and seven TDs . . . recorded 112 tackles and intercepted six passes . . . played four positions (running back, wide receiver, cornerback and safety) for Coach Bob Lutz plus returned kicks . . . earned second-team all-state honors as a junior and sophomore . . . named Southeast Ohio District Defensive Player of the Year in 1998 . . . runs 4.5 in the 40.

Quentin Jackson

OL, 6-7, 320

College Park, GA/Fork Union (VA) Military Academy

UPDATE: Jackson came to MSU as a non qualifier and never made it. He actually was at MSU for most of 2000, but when he didn't make the grades, MSU cut ties with this player. MSU coaches are apparently not crying over his departure as his physical presence was his main attribute.

Played for Coach John Shuman at Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy in 1999 . . . PrepStar All-SEC Region selection in '98 . . . listed among the Southeast's top offensive linemen (Nos. 36-46) by The National Recruiting Advisor . . . ranked among the Dixie Region's top players (No. 59) by SuperPrep . . . graded out 80 percent in his blocking assignments as a senior for Coach Don Shockley at North Clayton High School in College Park, Ga.

Bradshaw Littlejohn

LB, 6-2, 246

Gaffney, SC/Gaffney HS

UPDATE: Littlejohn would be seen as the biggest disappointment to the class of 2000. He came to MSU as an athlete, and was seeing time as a LB and on ST as a true freshmen. With the injuries MSU had in 2001, Littlejohn would have been a key player as either a LB/DPR/or even TE, depending on the situation. Littlejohn was asked to sit out spring practice in order to concentrate on academics. After spring, it was noticed that he had not done anything to improve his standing with the team or University so he was dismissed. Coach Williams has been far less forgiving of players not following with the program then Saban was.

PrepStar and Tom Lemming's Prep Football Report All-American . . . named to PrepStar's and SuperPrep's All-Mid-Atlantic Teams . . . ranked among the Atlantic Region's top 30 players (No. 28) by PrepStar . . . rated the No. 4 athlete in the Mid-Atlantic Region by PrepStar . . . ranked among the nation's top tight ends (No. 14) by Rivals.com . . . listed among the state's top players by SuperPrep (No. 9) and South Carolina Prep Football (No. 11) . . . his 65-yard touchdown pass in the North-South All-Star Game proved to be the game-winner . . . all-state quarterback completed 47 percent of his passes for 702 yards and 10 TDs as a senior . . . had 17 receptions for 165 yards and two scores . . . all-region QB threw for 755 yards and 11 TDs as a junior . . . rushed for 262 yards (4.9 avg.) and seven TDs in '98 . . . compiled a 24-5 career record (.827) as the starting quarterback for Coach Joe Montgomery at Gaffney (S.C.) High School . . . runs 4.6 in the 40.

Roderick Maples

DB, 6-0, 170

Detroit, MI/Cass Tech HS

UPDATE: Maples is proving to be a pretty valuable player for MSU. Maples's scholarship slot opened up when John Taylor left to go to UM and then Juco. Maples saw time as a backup WR and DB, after redshirting in 2000. Provides solid depth at either position. The signing of Maples and losing of Taylor looks to be a positive for MSU at this point.

Named to PrepStar's and SuperPrep's All-Midwest Teams . . . ranked among the state's top players by The Detroit News (No. 11), The Midwest Football Recruiting News (No. 11), Lansing State Journal (No. 14) and Detroit Free Press (No. 19) . . . all-state and all-metro defensive back had 46 tackles, 11 interceptions and eight pass break-ups as a senior . . . returned three interceptions for touchdowns . . . picked off three passes against Detroit Pershing . . . caught 23 passes for 320 yards (13.9 avg.) and five TDs . . . returned three punts and two kickoffs for scores in 1999 . . . had 15 receptions for 689 yards (45.9 avg.) and seven TDs as a junior . . . returned three kickoffs and two interceptions for TDs in '98 . . . four-year starter for Coach Thomas Wilcher at Cass Tech High School in Detroit . . . runs 4.5 in the 40.

Jeremiah McLaurin

DB, 6-0, 180

Saginaw, MI/Saginaw HS

UPDATE: Came to MSU as a partial qualifier. Has yet to make an impact at the CB position. Did start to see some time on ST as the 2001 season progressed. Will be a player who needs to have a solid spring in order to be a contributor.

PrepStar All-American . . . ranked among the Midwest's top players by PrepStar (No. 24) and SuperPrep (No. 53) . . . rated among the Midwest's top defensive backs (No. 3) by PrepStar . . . listed among the state's top players by the Lansing State Journal (No. 11), Detroit Free Press (No. 13), The Midwest Football Recruiting News (No. 15) and The Detroit News (No. 24) . . . all-state and All-Saginaw Valley selection as a senior . . . registered 34 tackles and intercepted nine passes in 1999 . . . picked off a pass on the final play of the Division 2 state championship game to preserve Saginaw (Mich.) High School's 14-7 victory over Birmingham Brother Rice . . . produced 38 stops and seven interceptions as a junior . . . three-year starter for Coach Don Durrett had 23 career interceptions . . . high school teammate of Spartan signee Charles Rogers . . . runs 4.5 in the 40.

Luc Mullinder

TE, 6-4, 235

Mississauga, Ontario/ Applewood Heights HS

UPDATE: Mullinder came to MSU in the Spring of 2000 and his scholarship was backdated to 99. He saw some time in 2000, but seemed to be passed by incoming freshmen in 2001. Mullinder has shown some flashes in spring and summer practice. He will need to step it up in the spring of 2002 in order to see playing time next season.

Ranked as the No. 3 player overall in Canada by scout Ron Dias . . . two-time all-star selection . . . named Ontario Varsity Football League Receiver of the Year in 1999 . . . led the league in receiving with 24 catches for 605 yards (25.2 avg.) and six touchdowns as a 13th grader . . . scored three rushing TDs, with one score coming on an 85-yard reverse . . . had seven TD receptions in '98 . . . two-year starter for Coach Brian Canton at Applewood Heights High School in Mississauga, Ontario . . . runs 4.6 in the 40 . . . enrolled at Michigan State at the beginning of the spring semester . . . plans to pursue a business degree.

Sean Poole

OL, 6-7, 285

Flint, MI/Flint Central HS

UPDATE: Poole was injured in 2000 and red-shirted. He rerurned in 2001 and was the back-up RT to Steve Stewart. Poole has put back on the size he lost due to knee surgery and now is around 290. Poole should push Stewart this spring. Missing out on summer and fall practice in 2000 cost him valuable time, but he has been slowly closing the gap on Stewart evr since.

PrepStar and SuperPrep All-American . . . listed among the region's top players by The Midwest Football Recruiting News (No. 29) and SuperPrep (No. 23) . . . ranked among the nation's top offensive linemen by Rivals.com (No. 13) and SuperPrep (No. 32) . . . rated amond the Midwest's top offensive linemen (No. 6) by PrepStar . . . ranked among the state's top prospects by the Lansing State Journal (No. 4), Midwest Football Recruiting News (No. 8), Detroit Free Press (No. 10) and The Detroit News (No. 12) . . . earned first-team all-state honors as a senior . . . two-time All-Saginaw Valley selection . . . did not allow a sack in 1999 . . . three-year starter at offensive tackle for Coach Joe Eufinger at Flint (Mich.) Central High School . . . runs 5.2 in the 40 . . . bench presses 400 pounds.

Charles Rogers

WR, 6-4, 195

Saginaw, MI/Saginaw HS

UPDATE: Rogers is as good as advertised, if not better. He was a partial qualifier in 2000, but made up for it in 2001 by breaking numerous team records. He eneded up with around 1500 yards recieving and double digit TD numbers. He will more then likely only stay at MSU until hi junior year due to the fact that he could be the #1 WR in the country next season. He has to be accounted for on every single play.

Consensus prep All-American . . . rated the nation's No. 1 prospect by ESPN.com recruiting analyst Tom Lemming . . . also ranked among the country's top players by SuperPrep (No. 8) . . . listed among the nation's top receivers by Lemming (No. 1), PrepStar (No. 2) and SuperPrep (No. 3) . . . labeled the No. 1 player in the Midwest by PrepStar, SuperPrep and the Detroit Free Press . . . named Midwest Region Offensive MVP by PrepStar . . . rated the state's top player by the Detroit Free Press, The Detroit News and Lansing State Journal . . . three-time all-state selection . . . caught 40 passes for 760 yards (19.0 avg.) and 14 touchdowns as a senior . . . had a 60-yard TD catch in the Division 2 state championship game, helping Saginaw (Mich.) High School to a 14-7 win over Birmingham Brother Rice . . . had 15 carries for 125 yards and two TDs . . . returned two punts for scores, covering 65 and 85 yards, respectively . . . had 53 catches for 956 yards (18.0 avg.) and 14 TDs as a junior . . . three-year starter for Coach Don Durrett at Saginaw . . . his prep career totals include 126 receptions for 2,644 yards (21.0 avg.) and 39 TDs . . . has won three state track titles, including the 400 meters in 1999 and the 100 and 200 meters in '98 . . . runs 4.4 in the 40 . . . plans to major in broadcast journalism.

Jesse Sias

DL, 6-3, 305

Dallas, TX/Kimball HS

UPDATE: Jesse did not qualify, and headed off to Juco. He is scheduled to graduate and could join a team in 2002. It is unclear if MSU is still in contact. Sias has battled weight problems, and MSU is probably not looking for a project DT with only 2 years to play.

Named to PrepStar's All-Midland's Team and SuperPrep's All-Southwest Team . . . rated among the state's top 100 players by SuperPrep (No. 89) and The Dallas Morning News . . . second-team all-state selection as a senior . . . also earned all-district, all-area and all-metro honors in 1999 . . . voted Texas District II-5A Defensive Player of the Year . . . recorded 60 tackles, including 12 sacks, as a senior for Coach James Jones at Kimball High School in Dallas . . . runs 5.1 in the 40 and bench presses 400 pounds.

Lonnie Simmons

DL, 6-5, 265

Columbus, OH/Northland HS

UPDATE: Simmons red-shirted in 2000 and is now starting to see some time in the rotation at DT. Simmons looks to be a player who can provide solid depth at the DT position. Lonnie is not the 6'5 265 listed. He is more like 6'3 280. Simmons should be a player who provides solid depth at the DT position over the next few years.

PrepStar All-American . . . ranked among the Midwest's top prospects by SuperPrep (No. 66), Tom Lemming's Prep Football Report (No. 74) and Midwest Football Recruiting News (No. 75) . . . rated among the region's top defensive linemen (No. 6) by PrepStar . . . selected to play in the Ohio North-South and Ohio-Pennsylvania Big 33 All-Star Games . . . earned first-team all-state, all-district and all-city honors as a senior . . . two-way starter, at defensive end and offensive tackle, for Coach Jim Miranda at Columbus (Ohio) Northland High School . . . recorded 80 tackles, including 10 sacks, in 1999 . . . credited with 91 tackles as a junior . . . runs 4.8 in the 40 . . . plans to pursue an engineering degree.

Jeff Smoker

QB, 6-4, 190

Manheim, PA/Manheim Central

UPDATE: Smoker was forced into duty as a freshmen in 2000. In 2001 he and Van Dyke battled for the starting job, with Smoker winning right before the season. MSU used a platoon system early on and RVD out performed Smoker on occasion. When RVD was hurt however, Smoker took over and never looked back. He put up tremendous numbers the last few weeks of the season in 2001 and should be the Big Ten's best QB in 2002. Smoker has all the skills you look for in a QB. He is mobile, accurate, and can throw the deep ball. Should break numerous passing records before he is done at MSU.

Consensus All-American . . . ranked among the nation's top prospects by SuperPrep (No. 23) and ESPN.com recruiting analyst Tom Lemming . . . rated among the country's top 10 quarterbacks by PrepStar (No. 3), SuperPrep (No. 3) and Lemming (No. 6) . . . ranked as the Eastern Region's No. 1 quarterback and the No. 4 player overall by PrepStar . . . named to PrepStar's All-Eastern and SuperPrep's All-Northeastern Teams . . . first-team all-state QB completed 150-of-235 passes (.638) for 2,458 yards, 26 touchdowns and only seven interceptions as a senior . . . rushed for nearly 600 yards and 10 TDs in 1999 . . . connected on 110-of-173 throws (.636) for 1,993 yards, 17 TDs and only five INTs as a junior . . . compiled a 30-4 record (.882) as a three-year starter for Coach Mike Williams at Manheim (Pa.) Central High School . . . runs 4.7 in the 40.

Greg Taplin

DL, 6-4, 255

Hollywood, FL/Hallandale HS

UPDATE: Taplin came up to MSU early in the summer in 2000 and it paid off with him seeing a lot of time as a true freshmen at DE. He was named to a freshmen All-American team. As a sophomore he split time at DE with Dukes and Myers. Taplin has had trouble adding size primarily due to his frame, not his work ethic. Taplin is a solid DE, who is very quick off the ball. His only drawback is his lack of size at his position.

Featured on PrepStar's All-Southeast Team . . . ranked among the state's top defensive ends (No. 4) by Florida Prep Football.com . . . rated among Florida's top defensive linemen (No. 19) by Bluechips Illustrated . . . selected to play in the Florida-Georgia and Broward-Dade County All-Star Games . . . earned first-team all-state and all-county honors as a senior . . . produced 65 tackles, including 11 sacks, in 1999 . . . also had 18 QB pressures, eight pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries . . . credited with 69 pancake blocks as a starting offensive lineman . . . played for Coach Prince Pearson at Hallandale (Fla.) High School . . . high school teammate of current Spartans Josh Shaw and Jimel Cofer while attending South Broward High School in Hollywood, Fla. . . . runs 5.0 in the 40 . . . intends to major in secondary education.

Dwight Whitfield

DL, 6-3, 275

St. Louis, MO/Vashon HS

UPDATE: Whitfield cam to MSU as the "Sackmaster". Maybe he should have been called the "Snackmaster". He showed up nearly 300 pounds and out of shape. Even though he did get in better shape during his stay at MSU, he never developed the skill to play at the level expected. He has since left MSU as he was passed in the depth chart by true freshmen Mathas AskeW and Kevin Vickerson.

PrepStar and SuperPrep All-American . . . ranked among the nation's top defensive linemen by ESPN.com recruiting analyst Tom Lemming (No. 14) and SuperPrep (No. 24) . . . rated among the top defensive linemen in the Midlands by SuperPrep (No. 12) . . . named to PrepStar's and SuperPrep's All-Midlands Teams . . . recorded 42 sacks in two seasons, including 19 as a senior . . . led the state in sacks as a junior with 23 . . . made 82 solo stops in 1998, including 35 for losses . . . two-year starter for Coach Anthony Mitchell at Vashon High School in St. Louis . . . runs 4.85 in the 40 . . . plans to major in business.

William Whitticker

OL, 6-5, 320

Marion, IN/Marion HS

UPDATE: Whittaker red-shirted in 2000 and assumed the starting G position in 2001. Made solid progress as the season went on and should be a player who ends up a 4 year starter on the OL. Whittaker's attitude and ability make him a valuable member of MSU's team. As he develops more strength, he should only get better.

Listed on PrepStar's and SuperPrep's All-Midwest Teams . . . ranked as Indiana's No. 1 prospect and the Midwest's No. 43 player by the Midwest Football Recruiting News . . . three-year starter at offensive tackle for Coach Mark Surface at Marion (Ind.) High School . . . runs 5.0 in the 40 . . . attends the same high school that produced Spartan basketball signee Zach Randolph . . . plans to major in business.

Greg Yeaster

DL, 6-1, 265

Montrose, MI/Montrose HS

UPDATE: Yeaster red-shirted in 2000. Yeaster is known a a hard worker in practice, and has seen some limited duty in mop up duty. Yeaster has good quickness and technique, but is limited due to his size. He has been getting stronger during his stay at MSU. If Yeaster can put on more quality size, he could make is way into the two deeps.

Named to PrepStar's and SuperPrep's All-Midwest Teams . . . ranked among the region's top players by SuperPrep (No. 77) and The Midwest Football Recruiting News (No. 88) . . . rated among the state's top prospects by The Midwest Football Recruiting News (No. 13), Lansing State Journal (No. 20), Detroit Free Press (No. 22) and The Detroit News (No. 30) . . . all-state defensive lineman recorded 18 sacks as a senior . . . had 70 tackles as a junior, including 18 sacks, while helping Montrose (Mich.) High School to its first-ever state championship . . . three-year starter on the defensive line and two-year regular at tight end for Coach Dennis Reinsart . . . led Montrose in sacks for three-straight seasons . . . runs 4.8 in the 40 . . . plans to major in sports medicine.

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