TE Jamare Mills, Dublin Scioto HS (Ohio), Blinn Junior College (Texas), 6-foot-5, 270 pounds
Rankings (2011): Rivals (3 stars), Scout (3 stars), 24/7 (NR)
Other notable offers (in 2011): Minnesota, Toledo, Western Michigan
Sometimes, we forget that Signing Day is the FIRST day that recruits can sign, not the only day. Since bringing in 18 on Signing Day (I'm going to include Monty Madaris there), MSU has added three more players to the 2012 class. Tight end Jamare Miles joins offensive lineman Jack Conklin and long snapper Taybor Pepper as late scholarship additions to the class.
Miles spent last season at Blinn College in Texas. If that school sounds familiar to you, it's because that's where Cam Newton was in between Florida and his Heisman Trophy-season at Auburn. The school has a good history of sending kids to Division I schools. Mills was a Class of 2011 recruit who opted to head down to Blinn, where he has spent one season. He told Rivals that Wisconsin wanted him to attend a junior college in North Dakota out of high school (with an opportunity with the Badgers likely to follow). But Mills went south hoping for more opportunities.
Currently, MSU has Dion Sims and a bunch of question marks at tight end, a far cry from the three guys MSU has used in the rotation the last few seasons. The graduation of Charlie Gantt in 2010 and Brian Linthicum and Garrett Celek in 2011 has left a big hole. MSU was so desperate that it moved Denzel Drone — a pretty decent defensive end — to tight end in the spring. There is some young talent, with redshirt freshman Paul Lang and incoming freshmen Evan Jones and Josiah Price, but MSU needs some depth right now, and that's what Mills provides.
Here are the only highlights of Mills I could find. They're from his high school days.
Again, Mills will add some much-needed depth to the tight end position. He will have four years of college eligibility and three years of playing eligibility, depending on if a redshirt is used or not. Based on what Mills told Rivals, it sounds like he'll move into the rotation right away. From Rivals:
"The coaches feel I can come in and help the team right away," (Mills) said. "They said that if I come in and battle, I will have a chance to be 2nd string right away based on the current situation at the tight end spot. I just really appreciate the opportunity I am getting at Michigan State."
Mills told Rivals he will enroll in Lansing Community College in June and finish in July, while practicing with the team. After his schoolwork at LCC, the plan is he will officially be able to join the team.
According to the NJCAA stats, Mills played in six games and had two catches for 22 yards and one touchdown, but remember, he was a true freshman. (Also, the site spelled his name wrong). He still has time to develop. He also had seven carries for 47 yards and a touchdown as a fullback
Tight end is an important position for MSU, which frequently uses two-tight-end sets, so depth at the position is very important in the offense. His playing time at fullback will also be useful in the MSU offense, as the tight end often moves into the backfield before the snap in the role of a fullback, as Jim at Shaw Lane Spartans has outlined.
Entering the 2012 season, MSU has a few questions on offense. The hope is that the signing of Mills will be one answer.