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Kicker Michael Geiger, Toledo Ottawa Hills (Ohio) - (5-foot-9, 180 pounds)
Ratings: Rivals (3 stars), Scout (2 stars), 247 (3 stars), ESPN (3 stars)
Other notable offer: Boston College
Throughout the development of the 2013 recruiting class for MSU, there has been speculation about whether or not the staff would offer a kicker.
On Saturday, Mark Dantonio offered and received a commitment from the kicker whom many consider to be the best in the nation: Michael Geiger, of Toledo Ottawa Hills.
Geiger, who camped at Michigan State this summer, previously committed to Boston College. The Eagles fired coach Frank Spaziani last week, and Geiger decided to look around -- resulting in him becoming the 15th member of the 2013 class.
Just Committed to Michigan State University on a full ride scholarship! #GoGreen #Spartans instagr.am/p/S_nG50wMNu/
— Michael Geiger (@GoalieGiggs) December 8, 2012
Chris Sailer Kicking #1 Kicker in the nation Michael Geiger has committed to Michigan State. #Spartans #TeamSailer twitter.com/Chris_Sailer/s…
— Chris Sailer (@Chris_Sailer) December 8, 2012
To start his junior highlights, Geiger nails a 48-yard field goal with plenty of extra leg. So, there is no doubt about the leg strength.
According 247's Sean Scherer, Geiger was incredibly accurate at the Michigan State camp in June and impressed the staff.
"Geiger ... was the most accurate kicker in attendance. He didn’t miss a single field goal the entire camp and was perfect in every drill MSU’s staff put him through."
Geiger is ranked No. 1 in the nation by 247, Rivals and Chris Sailer Kicking. He won an event put on by Sailer in Las Vegas in January.
He will head to Los Angeles in January to play in the 2013 Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl.
In his senior season, Geiger -- who also plays defensive back, wide receiver and punter -- was 38 of 40 on extra-point attempts and made 6 of 10 field goals. One of his field goals was a school-record 54-yard kick.
Of his 51 kicks, 47 went for touchbacks and he averaged 41.7 yards per punt. Geiger also plays tennis and soccer.
Michigan State graduates Dan Conroy after this season, leaving scholarship kicker Kevin Muma and walk-on Evan Fischer on the roster.
Muma lost a close battle in spring ball in 2010 to Conroy and has served as the kickoff specialist since then. Muma, however, will be a senior in 2013, so the staff was looking to add a kicker to the class -- it was just a question of if a scholarship would be available.
After looking at the roster numbers, the staff came to the conclusion a scholarship was open and offered it to Geiger.
MSU also considered in-state kickers J.J. McGrath (Macomb Lutheran North), Joel Schipper (Grand Rapids Christian) and Brett Scanlon (Dowagiac).
Though Muma has a big leg, Geiger should be given a chance to compete right away for a starting spot, given his accuracy and leg.
Whether he makes an immediate impact or redshirts in his first year, Geiger is a nice addition to the class of 2013, and a necessary one to avoid having a true freshman kicker in 2014.