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MSU hosting a pair of 2013 visitors this weekend.

By Mike.Wilson
Dave Reginek

With the class of 2013 standing at 17 commits, MSU has a pair of official visitors coming this weekend.

California athlete Drake Martinez, the younger brother of Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez, has an offer from the Spartans and is interested -- despite his family affiliations.

Martinez likely projects to play defense at the next level, but is in the Delton Williams mold, where he could contribute on offense, too.

The second visitor is a junior college defensive tackle from Canada. Yes, a JUCO DT from Canada.

James Bodanis, 6-6 and 303 pounds, will make his way down to East Lansing this weekend. He doesn't have an offer at this point.

This much is clear: The staff is willing to have people on campus, so they might be looking to add another player or two to the 2013 class.

2013

Wide receivers lead new four-stars (Rivals) - Misleading headline, but Damion Terry is in it. The incoming MSU quarterback was bumped up to a four-star recruit by Rivals, making him a consensus four-star player. While I am not big on stargazing, with the numbers Terry had, this was warranted recognition.

Holmes ready to battle (Scout) - Gerald Holmes, like the rest of the committed 2013 players, had his official visit last weekend and came away thinking what many fans already do: He has a chance to play early.

2014

Spartans stop in to see O'Connor (Rivals) - Michael O'Connor, one of three quarterbacks with an MSU offer, was visited by QB coach Dave Warner this week. O'Connor recently transferred to IMG Academy in Florida and reclassified to 2014. He remains a top MSU target -- which speaks to just how good he is.

Allen shows big-time potential (247) - A name to be very familiar with, if you aren't already, is Brian Allen. The center prospect is the younger brother of current MSU offensive lineman Jack Allen and is pretty high on MSU, and even higher on talent.

Spartans taking a serious look at Detroit OL (Rivals) - Detroit Loyola has Malik McDowell, an elite 2014 prospect, but Ka'John Armstrong is drawing D-1 attention, too. With the Spartans need for offensive lineman in the 2014 class, Armstrong could be a great fit with his 6-foot-5, 275-pound frame.

Q & A

(Note: A new segment of this roundup I want to try out is a part where you can submit questions for the roundup via Twitter. Submit yours every Thursday to me @SpartansOrDie and I will answer a few here.)


MSU will lose five offensive linemen after 2013 (three tackles -- including both starters, and two interior guys -- one starter). That said, with only one guy, Dennis Finley, in the 2013 class, the 2014 class has to feature more offensive lineman. The staff is expected to take four-five in the next class, and sits favorably with OT Kyle Trout and C Brian Allen, at this point. OG Nick Richardson also has been rumored to be high on MSU. We will see how things shake out, but if those guys are included in the 2014 class, MSU fans should be ecstatic.

Keep in mind, MSU did pull in four offensive lineman in 2012, and all drew very good reviews on the scout team. That likely led to the staff not feeling the need to just settle for an extra offensive lineman in the 2013.

What more can you tell us about Noah Jones? He seems like a classic underrated Dantonio guy but he is REALLY (underrated)? - @Collin_Stauder

Well, the Welcome Aboard post features many of my opinions on Jones. He certainly is underrated. SpartanMag reported that it was a very Keshawn Martin-esque situation, where he didn't draw the attention, but when a staff got the highlight tapes, they offered. MSU was one of those schools.

His high school staff also was in its first year at Dillard High School, and the head coach even said they didn't do some of the things they should have for their kids to get recruited. So, Jones was a steal late in the process, that much is sure.

What happened with Clifton Garrett? He was high on MSU and now doesn't even mention them? - @milosevski31

Garrett was high on MSU, you are right -- there even was a point where they were the leader. You also are right when you say he doesn't mention the Spartans anymore. Garrett is one of the top linebackers in the nation, and the offers have started coming from everywhere. Ohio State is -- and has been -- the team to beat for a while. He also works with Core6 Athletes, a top training group in Illinois that just produced Laquon Treadwell to Ole Miss. Garrett is certainly interested in some of those southern schools, including Ole Miss.

MSU still is working on Garrett, but it doesn't look like he will end up in East Lansing.

New Offers (1/18/13-1/24/13)

2013

Athlete Drake Martinez, Laguna Beach, CA (Laguna Beach)

2014

Offensive guard Marcelys Jones, Cleveland (Glenville) -- Ohio State commit

Defensive tackle Daniel Cage, Cincinnati (Winton Woods)

Wide receiver Keenan Brown, Houston, TX (Alief Taylor)

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