We're in that period where recruiting camps are in the rear-view and focus is turning toward the 2012 season and the current team. Given that, I figure we can do an inaugural mailbag next week. Have any football recruiting questions? Send them to chrisvannini@gmail.com.
Not a ton of updates this week, but here we go.
Big Ten tussle for Finley? (247) - Cass Tech OT Dennis Finley remains a major priority for the Spartan coaches still looking for offensive linemen. Not much of an update here, but he did list MSU, Ohio State, Wisconsin and Illinois as his top four. Despite being a Cass Tech kid, Michigan hasn't shown much interest, since they're already full with linemen.
"Michigan State has a chance with me," Finley said. "They're the school that is closest to home. I have my sister up there. I have a cousin that goes there. I've met with their coaching staff and bonded well with them. They're a school that is recruiting me and I'm going to give them a chance."
Cooper updates interest in Spartans (Scout) - Unranked Chicago defensive end Demetrius Cooper's stock continues to rise. About a month since he earned an MSU offer, Cooper remains high on MSU.
"I have a lot of interest in Michigan State," said Cooper. "I've learned more about the academics they offer and love how the campus is set up. I've not really had a chance to do a lot of research because of my schedule, but once things slow down I plan on learning even more. But when I go to narrow things down, Michigan State will be one of my choices."
Cooper chase heats up (247) - MSU was the first BCS team to offer Cooper, but Notre Dame and Purdue have since offered. He also is hoping to get to visits to Ohio State, U-M, LSU, Miami (Fla.) and others.
Bailey 'waiting on Michigan State' (247) - Cooper's teammate, two-star defensive lineman Khari Bailey is hoping to earn an offer and a chance to play with Cooper. Bailey is a defensive end, but MSU wants to see him at tackle.
"They want to see me gain 40 pounds," Bailey said of MSU. "If they offer me they want me to come in around 260 at least to play defensive tackle and they can put the rest on me. I'd play the three technique and if me and Demetrius come together we're gonna be real good. They said I got a legit chance to get an offer if I do good my first three or four games."
Decision time for Treadwell? (Scout) - Four-star Illinois receiver Laquon Treadwell has long been considered a virtual lock for U-M. He still lists MSU in his top five, along with Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Auburn, but it's hard to find anyone that expects him to end up anywhere else but Ann Arbor.
OL Meadows to visit East Lansing (247) - Three-star Cincinnati offensive tackle Kyle Meadows has an offer from MSU and Spartan Tailgate caught up with him for an update. He plans on visiting MSU around the time school starts. He also plans to visit Florida State, Illinois and Kentucky, among others. As for what Meadows is looking for, he said a good mechanical engineering program is No. 1, with playing time behind that.
Spartan target talks Michigan State (247) - Spartan Tailgate checks in with 2014 Ohio receiver Thaddeus Snadgrass. Some things haven't changed: He still has an awesome name. Some things have changed: He previously said MSU, Ohio State and Notre Dame were favorites, but now he says he has no favorites. Recruiting.
MSU in running for top-30 prospect (247) - Virginia quarterback Caleb Henderson is the No. 2 ranked pro-style QB for 2014. He already has a load of offers, including one from MSU that was picked up last month. No rush to decide, no favorites, liked MSU's facilities, the usual.