I still need to do the write-up on Devyn Salmon, but given the timeliness issue I figured I’d write about something that happened in the recent past.
Demetrius Cooper committed to MSU over the weekend, he’s the twelfth commitment overall and the second defensive line commitment for the class of 2013. Cooper’s offer sheet includes highlights of Notre Dame, Purdue and the all important Single Redeemable Offer Good for Any School in the MAC. He’s ranked a three star recruit by Scout and 247 and has yet to be ranked by Rivals. A three-star Rivals ranking with that kind of offer sheet is virtually assured.
Hype on Cooper
Cooper arrived on the scene after blowing up the Sound Mind Sound Body camp earlier this summer. There’s a good video of Cooper abusing dudes including Spartan Commitment Dennis Finley over at SpartanMag($). At 6’5” and 220 he’s got great height to develop into the 6’5” 260 lbs kind of guy that Dantonio clearly likes at the Defensive End spot. At 220 lbs however, he’ll have a fair amount of work to do to put on some quality muscle before he sees playing time in anything other than obvious passing situations. Luckily this is what he does well already.
A Predictor of Future Success is YOUtube
If you’re a tackling dummy, you’re boned.
ESPN also has video, NO PAYWALL! Unfortunately no highlights either.
What’s to love about this kid?
Well, from what limited video is available for free, he’s quick as a cat and viciously unkind to tackling dummies. So if you’re an Indiana Offensive Tackle, he doesn’t need to improve at all to kick the crap out of you. That’s all the video we have on him right now.
Prediction for 2013 and Beyond
Cooper redshirts in 2013, even with the loss of Gholston and a four percent chance of losing Marcus Rush. There’s been no shortage of hype surrounding Shilique Calhoun and Joel Heath as the number two DE’s or even Lawrence Thomas as the #3 DE. Add to that the fact that Cooper’s high weight estimate is 225 right now, but in two interviews he was quoted as being around 205 he needs to put on quite a bit of good weight. He’ll probably see time in MSU’s Delta package as soon as 2014 though because he’s a crazypants pass rusher.
Upshot for the rest of the class
Unless your name is Montravious Adams I think it’s unlikely we take anymore Defensive Line in 2013. MSU will take 15 or 16 for 2013 and they’ve already filled 13 spots there’s just not a lot of room left. MSU still needs to grab another Offensive Lineman in addition to Finley and I think the last spot or two might go to BATFAN(Best Available That Fills A Need).
This is normally where I write an advertisement looking for quality Offensive Linemen, but we seem to have gotten one over the weekend in Dennis Finley. More on that tomorrow.