The biggest recruiting weekend in quite some time ended on quite the fart noise. Now, prospects don't choose teams based on wins, but an MSU victory last Saturday could have done a lot for the program's perception. But we move on.
There are a bazillion stories of 2014 prospects that go along these lines, so I'll spare you many of those stories.
"The atmosphere was really incredible, except the loss. (Insert coach name) is my recruiter, but I didn't get to see much after because of the loss. But I had a great time."
Now, on to the more-interesting stories.
Peko on his way to East Lansing (247) - California JC DT Kyle Peko will be taking an official visit this weekend. The cousin of Tupe and Domata Peko and friend of Fou Fonoti has MSU as his top school. A visit could get MSU closer to sealing the deal. You know what a Peko mention means...
4-star DL names top four (Scout) - 2013 Florida DT Maquedius Bain lists MSU, LSU, Oklahoma and USC as his top four. The former Florida State commit is trying to visit LSU next weekend. He'd be a big pickup if only for all the Bane jokes that would follow.
Big-play Marcus Ball visits MSU (Rivals) - MSU doesn't have much, if any, room left for skill players in 2013. Still, three-star Ohio DB/LB Marcus Ball skipped an official visit at Wisconsin and opted for an unofficial at MSU last weekend. Ball lists MSU, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Arizona State and Penn State as his favorites. If MSU gets a commitment from Delton Williams, who is visiting for Ohio State, there likely will be no room for Ball.
'I'm a Spartan Dawg for life (247) - Two-star Florida DT commit Devyn Salmon's stock has been rising, but he's sticking with the Spartans. He was supposed to visit for the Notre Dame game, but he couldn't make it up.
"Schools like North Carolina, Memphis, Arkansas, South Carolina, Georgia, and few others are still trying recruit me," Salmon said. "Those schools are trying to get me take a visit. I tell them, ‘Thank you but I'm solid to Michigan State.'"
2013 RB commit honored (247) - Flint running back Gerald Holmes has been tearing it up early in the season and earned a tryout for the USA U-19 National Team. Chris Norman and Micajah Reynolds played on the team in 2009.
McDowell talks in-state visits (247) - The top prospect in Michigan for 2014, DL Malik McDowell, visited Michigan and MSU last Saturday and had good things to say about both. Nothing that stuck out. He also liked Notre Dame, but could only name players by their number. All schools should have names on the back.
Drake updates visit plans (247) - Four-star Cass Tech linebacker Deon Drake was supposed to visit for ND, but something came up. He'll be in town for Ohio State, instead.
Booth talking visits, has decision in mind (Scout) - Indianapolis WR Dominque Booth has been one of the top receivers in the Midwest for 2014. He's had an MSU offer for a while, but this quote provided an good look inside the world of recruiting.
"Every day I get handwritten letters from Alabama, and I didn't talk to them before September 1st, so it was out of nowhere. I get five handwritten letters a day from them. It's weird because I hadn't heard from them before. Michigan sent me a few handwritten letters. Michigan State does that every day. On September 1st, Iowa sent seven in one day. It's good to see how interested they are in me. Those schools recruit me the hardest when it comes to mail."
Per 247, Booth will be visiting for the Ohio State game. Maybe the letters are working.
Ohio tackle visits MSU, attracting major offers (Rivals) - 2014 OT Kyle Trout has impressed enough to earn an early offer from MSU. He was in town for the Notre Dame game.
Allen: Spartans in it for long haul (247) - Three-star Illinois offensive lineman Brian Allen had a good time at the Notre Dame game. The brother of MSU guard Jack Allen says MSU will be one of his top schools until the end.
Berger enjoys Michigan State (Scout) - 2014 Ohio defensive end Kent Berger is getting his recruitment underway, and MSU/ND was one of his first stops. Nothing really interesting, but this quote stuck out to me.
"I never really noticed how much tradition their program has, and it moved them up on my list a lot."
Crisp visits Michigan State (Scout) - Same deal with 2014 Ohio DB Romello Crisp. He also had an interesting quote.
"The atmosphere was so hype," said Crisp. "I really wasn't interested in Michigan State at first, but now I see they have a rocking fanbase and even though they lost, they were still trying to get hyped for the team. If they offer me, I will take interest and they will be one of my top three schools. They have my respect. The campus is nice and it's not too far from home."