Spartans pursue California prospects Brandon Arnold, Demetrius Campbell
July 20, 2012Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio and his staff are evaluating prospects from coast to coast, looking to fill the final spots for the recruiting class of 2013. In recent weeks, two California players have moved to the forefront and both have a high level of interest in MSU.
Safety Brandon Arnold, Crespi High, Encino, Calif.
Arnold has seen his recruiting stock rise significantly this summer. The 6-foot, 185-pound prospect now has double-digit scholarship offers including ones from Michigan State, Cal, Arizona, Oregon State, Colorado and Washington State. Rivals.com ranks Arnold a three-star recruit and the No. 47 safety in the nation. He is also ranked as one of the top 100 players in California for the class of 2013.Right now the Spartans and Cal Bears are standing out for Arnold, and
he is looking forward to visiting both schools in the near future. He
told Rivals.com recruiting analyst Adam Gorney the following about his
two favorites:
“They’re both in great areas, both schools are
known for their football teams and they have great history. And also I
like the coaching staffs and the academics they both have.”
A few schools that have yet to offer, but could do so in the near future, are Washington and Oklahoma. Arnold plans on making his college choice after he takes several of his official visits.
Defensive tackle Demetrius Campbell, East Los Angeles College
With the expected graduation of starting defensive tackles Tyler
Hoover and Anthony Rashad-White, the Spartans are looking at bringing in
a high-level junior college prospect to compete for immediate playing
time. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound Campbell is one of a select few junior
college prospects to whom the staff has offered a scholarship.
Campbell,
who is originally from Florida, has over a dozen scholarship offers on
the table including ones from powerhouse programs like Michigan State,
Nebraska, Boise State, TCU and West Virginia.
“Coach Ted Gill
has been doing much of the recruiting so far,” Campbell told
SpartanMag.com. “I know they want me to come up there and be a Jerel
Worthy-type of player after adding some more size and experience. I know
I am visiting West Virginia and UTSA. I also plan on visiting Michigan
State and Nebraska. I will graduate in December and I will have three
years to play two. I plan on playing spring ball wherever I sign.”
Dantonio
does not recruit a lot of junior college players, but he understands
that the right player can make a huge impact. That is exactly what
happened last year when junior college offensive tackle Fou Fonoti
stepped in and assumed the starting spot. Fonoti ended up starting 11
games and is expected to be a key member of the line again this year.
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