'09 IL DE Michael Buchanan (MSU Offer)

[ping1050]

It looks like were in pretty good from what is sounds reading other boards

[Larry Harrisons Lotion]

Originally Posted by JOHNNYDRAMA08

I don't put any faith into the rankings, Joel Foreman is a great example. I put more into the offers that a player has, which is one of the reasons I wanted MSU to get Raynard Randolph.

Buchanan is a player that could fill a poisiton of need. These measurements were taken a year ago, so to say he's added 10-15lbs. since then is no stretch. Over the next 8 months he could also add another 10-15lbs. if he has the right diet and weight program. According to the article above he is underrated and could be a special player. Assuming he can get to 235-240 before the star of the season, again no stretch, he could easily get time. If you don't think so you should ask All-American DE Aaron Maybin who weighs 245. He uses his quickness and speed to avoid getting "pancaked" and to put pressure and sack the opposing QB. With our DE depth we are not in a position to turn away quality DE's.

Maybin is 6'4, Buchanan is 6'6, that two inch difference in height means he needs to be about 265 to be the same size.

[Coached By Duffy]

Originally Posted by JOHNNYDRAMA08

Everything I post that is an opinion is posted with IF's and ASSUMPTIONS. I'm not going to claim that any 18 year old hs player is going to be a for sure superstar. So, IMO, I think that he could get some PT considering the fact that we aren't very good at DE and we are lacking depth there. IF he has the quickness and speed to get on the field early he may be able to make an impact. I based everything in that statement on what was said by coaches that have seen him play, that were in the article. Anyway, I hope he comes to MSU and not ND or Ill.

MSU has graduated 4 DE's the last 2 years who were major contributors, Baldwin, St. Dic, Long, and Young and Trevor Anderson will graduate next year, so the depth @ DE is a concern. They are hoping Tyler Hoover can develop into the starter @ strong-side DE in 2009. They hope Cameron Jude can contribute, because it is fairly apparent that Neely and Strayhorn are not B10 caliber DE's and Jude is bigger than either of them. In-coming 2009 Freshman Corey Freeman may be able to contribute as a situational pass rusher right away. It would be a real coup for the Staff to get a commitment and beat out IL for 2009 DE Michael Buchanan out of Chicago. They will need at least 2 DE's in 2010. Gholston being the main priority and Snow might be a LB, so another DE will be needed.

[Randolph Junuh]

Originally Posted by Coached By Duffy

MSU has graduated 4 DE's the last 2 years who were major contributors, Baldwin, St. Dic, Long, and Young and Trevor Anderson will graduate next year, so the depth @ DE is a concern.

Holmes?

[Coached By Duffy]

Originally Posted by Randolph Junuh

Holmes?

A mind slip. Yes, Holmes.

[JOHNNYDRAMA08]

Originally Posted by Coached By Duffy

MSU has graduated 4 DE's the last 2 years who were major contributors, Baldwin, St. Dic, Long, and Young and Trevor Anderson will graduate next year, so the depth @ DE is a concern. They are hoping Tyler Hoover can develop into the starter @ strong-side DE in 2009. They hope Cameron Jude can contribute, because it is fairly apparent that Neely and Strayhorn are not B10 caliber DE's and Jude is bigger than either of them. In-coming 2009 Freshman Corey Freeman may be able to contribute as a situational pass rusher right away. It would be a real coup for the Staff to get a commitment and beat out IL for 2009 DE Michael Buchanan out of Chicago. They will need at least 2 DE's in 2010. Gholston being the main priority and Snow might be a LB, so another DE will be needed.

Your post just goes to show how big of a priority Gholston is for MSU. Fortunately, it sounds like MSU could get a commitment soon. If we were able to get Buchanan it would help at least with our depth and hopefully he could develop fast enough to contribute a lot as a freshman. If he doesn't visit ND then it's down to MSU and Ill. I don't know what Zook is selling some of these guys but Ill. is probably the current favorite. The 2010 class is loaded with DE's so MSU could really do well in that class also, but Buchanan would be able to contribute most likely next year as a freshman.

[spartaspartan]

Originally Posted by JOHNNYDRAMA08

Your post just goes to show how big of a priority Gholston is for MSU. Fortunately, it sounds like MSU could get a commitment soon. If we were able to get Buchanan it would help at least with our depth and hopefully he could develop fast enough to contribute a lot as a freshman. If he doesn't visit ND then it's down to MSU and Ill. I don't know what Zook is selling some of these guys but Ill. is probably the current favorite. The 2010 class is loaded with DE's so MSU could really do well in that class also, but Buchanan would be able to contribute most likely next year as a freshman.

really

how about a rose bowl trip

[JOHNNYDRAMA08]

Originally Posted by spartaspartan

really

how about a rose bowl trip

Please tell me you are joking. I don't know much about their programs history but they sure had a repeat performance this year. Just please confirm that you are joking with that statement.

[Stats]

Originally Posted by spartaspartan

really

how about a rose bowl trip

Sure, but they looked like **** this year (Western Michigan?.........Western Freaking Michigan!) and with Vontae Davis gone and Regis Benn with only one year left (and no one else on the roster worth a damn), they're going straight back where they came from: competing with the Indianas and Minnesotas of the world to stay out of last place.

[Coached By Duffy]

Originally Posted by JOHNNYDRAMA08

Your post just goes to show how big of a priority Gholston is for MSU. Fortunately, it sounds like MSU could get a commitment soon. If we were able to get Buchanan it would help at least with our depth and hopefully he could develop fast enough to contribute a lot as a freshman. If he doesn't visit ND then it's down to MSU and Ill. I don't know what Zook is selling some of these guys but Ill. is probably the current favorite. The 2010 class is loaded with DE's so MSU could really do well in that class also, but Buchanan would be able to contribute most likely next year as a freshman.

In looking @ Buchanan's highlight videos, I'm not sure if he'll be able to contribute as a true freshman. He has long arms which should help him as a pass rusher but he needs to add some bulk and get stronger in his legs, especially if he has to anchor against the run @ strong-side DE. A year working with Ken Mannie would really benefit him and he appears to have the frame to carry 250+ lbs. easily without losing any speed. He could really be a player as a RS FR.

[JOHNNYDRAMA08]

Originally Posted by Coached By Duffy

In looking @ Buchanan's highlight videos, I'm not sure if he'll be able to contribute as a true freshman. He has long arms which should help him as a pass rusher but he needs to add some bulk and get stronger in his legs, especially if he has to anchor against the run @ strong-side DE. A year working with Ken Mannie would really benefit him and he appears to have the frame to carry 250+ lbs. easily without losing any speed. He could really be a player as a RS FR.

Regarding depth issues at DE I think that he has a good chance at seeing the field. We need to get him here first of course. Isn't Holmes a senior, Ishmyl Johnson is at DE but I am unsure of how much PT he will get.

From the above post regarding Ill., while they did lose to WMU I think that they will be our second toughest opponent next year. After that though MSU should most likely be favorite if we continue to recruit at our current level. If Ill. gets LJ Sr., which it should be known in the next few days, I think Buchanan becomes a strong lean to Ill. Hopefully, the staff shows him the opportunity he has at MSU when he visits here this weekend.

[Coached By Duffy]

Originally Posted by JOHNNYDRAMA08

Regarding depth issues at DE I think that he has a good chance at seeing the field. We need to get him here first of course. Isn't Holmes a senior, Ishmyl Johnson is at DE but I am unsure of how much PT he will get.

From the above post regarding Ill., while they did lose to WMU I think that they will be our second toughest opponent next year. After that though MSU should most likely be favorite if we continue to recruit at our current level. If Ill. gets LJ Sr., which it should be known in the next few days, I think Buchanan becomes a strong lean to Ill. Hopefully, the staff shows him the opportunity he has at MSU when he visits here this weekend.

I had a mind slip. I put in Young and meant Holmes, who is a SR this year. Johnson's problem with no PT isn't physical but mental. He doesn't seem to be a fast learner and just hasn't picked up the defensive schemes.

[Randolph Junuh]

Originally Posted by JOHNNYDRAMA08

Regarding depth issues at DE I think that he has a good chance at seeing the field. We need to get him here first of course. Isn't Holmes a senior, Ishmyl Johnson is at DE but I am unsure of how much PT he will get.

Did Ishmyl redshirt

[spartaspartan]

Originally Posted by JOHNNYDRAMA08

Please tell me you are joking. I don't know much about their programs history but they sure had a repeat performance this year. Just please confirm that you are joking with that statement.

actually, I'm not.

You asked what Zook was promising kids during recruiting. Well, during the recruiting process, they were the last representative from the Big Ten in the Rose Bowl. They beat OSU and played a lot of young players in the process.

Look, like him or hate him, Zook can recruit. He knows how to talk to kids and he knows how to deal with families. You people blindly ridicule the guy b/c you think he is dirty and cheats. Well, he might be, but he also might just be a great people person and has that unique ability to connect with kids at their level. And if his team just competed in the Rose Bowl he can say that to the high school kids and show them that he can take them there.

Now his coaching ability is suspect, but he is a great recruiter

[ToP]

Originally Posted by spartaspartan

actually, I'm not.

You asked what Zook was promising kids during recruiting. Well, during the recruiting process, they were the last representative from the Big Ten in the Rose Bowl. They beat OSU and played a lot of young players in the process.

Look, like him or hate him, Zook can recruit. He knows how to talk to kids and he knows how to deal with families. You people blindly ridicule the guy b/c you think he is dirty and cheats. Well, he might be, but he also might just be a great people person and has that unique ability to connect with kids at their level. And if his team just competed in the Rose Bowl he can say that to the high school kids and show them that he can take them there.

Now his coaching ability is suspect, but he is a great recruiter

Well, he did have something like a top 15 recruiting class coming off a 2-10 season the year before the Rose Bowl so it's not like there's no basis for wondering. That said, I believe Illinois has been to 2 BCS games this decade so it's not like the program doesn't have a history of past success.

[JOHNNYDRAMA08]

Originally Posted by spartaspartan

actually, I'm not.

You asked what Zook was promising kids during recruiting. Well, during the recruiting process, they were the last representative from the Big Ten in the Rose Bowl. They beat OSU and played a lot of young players in the process.

Look, like him or hate him, Zook can recruit. He knows how to talk to kids and he knows how to deal with families. You people blindly ridicule the guy b/c you think he is dirty and cheats. Well, he might be, but he also might just be a great people person and has that unique ability to connect with kids at their level. And if his team just competed in the Rose Bowl he can say that to the high school kids and show them that he can take them there.

Now his coaching ability is suspect, but he is a great recruiter

I've personally never once said I hate Zook, because I don't. I think he is maybe an average coach at best and the Ill. fans think so as well. Where Zook thrives is in recruiting, particularly through his pursuit of a prospect. I have a lot of respect for every aspect of his recruiting ability, except offering prospects before they are most likely evaluated by him. I know programs have scouts, etc., but Zook offers half the prospects available in the country. I don't think he is dirty or cheats, I just don't think Ill. offers as much as a football program that many other schools do. There was no reaason that they didn't have a better year last year and I still stand by what I said earlier, that Ill. will be maybe our second toughest opponent next year.

But I doubt that he is selling the fact that they went to a bowl game, that they shouldn't have gone to, the rose bowl to recruits. It can't be his 8 wins combined in the other 3 years of his tenure there.

[spartaspartan]

Originally Posted by ToP

Well, he did have something like a top 15 recruiting class coming off a 2-10 season the year before the Rose Bowl so it's not like there's no basis for wondering. That said, I believe Illinois has been to 2 BCS games this decade so it's not like the program doesn't have a history of past success.

ok fine, now compare that to MSU over the same decade and if that is the only factor, Buchanon will choose Illinois

[spartaspartan]

Originally Posted by JOHNNYDRAMA08

I've personally never once said I hate Zook, because I don't. I think he is maybe an average coach at best and the Ill. fans think so as well. Where Zook thrives is in recruiting, particularly through his pursuit of a prospect. I have a lot of respect for every aspect of his recruiting ability, except offering prospects before they are most likely evaluated by him. I know programs have scouts, etc., but Zook offers half the prospects available in the country. I don't think he is dirty or cheats, I just don't think Ill. offers as much as a football program that many other schools do. There was no reaason that they didn't have a better year last year and I still stand by what I said earlier, that Ill. will be maybe our second toughest opponent next year.

But I doubt that he is selling the fact that they went to a bowl game, that they shouldn't have gone to, the rose bowl to recruits. It can't be his 8 wins combined in the other 3 years of his tenure there.

I agree, I think Zook is an average coach at best when it comes to in game decisions and making his players better, but if Zook wasn't selling the fact that his team was in the Rose Bowl than he is an idiot. Hell, Dantonio is selling that to his kids now and we haven't made a Rose Bowl since 1988

[JOHNNYDRAMA08]

Originally Posted by spartaspartan

I agree, I think Zook is an average coach at best when it comes to in game decisions and making his players better, but if Zook wasn't selling the fact that his team was in the Rose Bowl than he is an idiot. Hell, Dantonio is selling that to his kids now and we haven't made a Rose Bowl since 1988

I'm sure that is a selling point of Zook, the Rose Bowl game. But I would hope that some of these guys would look at the body of work a coach has done. Dantonio has been at MSU 2 years and has more wins than Zook does and he's been at Ill. for 4 years (Zook may have more I didn't check but it would only be by 1 or 2). Dantonio has also taken us to consecutive bowl games and defnintely is a better coach. There are many factors for recruits (coaches, relationships,location, friends, program history, etc.) but I would hope that they put some weight in the coaches overall ability. With that said I think we would all agree, and most Ill fans, that Dantonio is the better coach.

[EMSP]

Let's start a Zook thread.

[burnsmi4]

Buchanan still thinking about taking an official to ND. that always scares me because after reading multiple reports on Jabba's recruiting tactics and flashing the super bowl rings, there is nothing that man wont do to save his job

[Spartan4ever]

Originally Posted by burnsmi4

Buchanan still thinking about taking an official to ND. that always scares me because after reading multiple reports on Jabba's recruiting tactics and flashing the super bowl rings, there is nothing that man wont do to save his job

What's Weis going to say to the kid after he flashes those rings?

"Take a good look at these babies Mr. Buchanan because this is as close as you are going to get to the Super Bowl. I suck at developing talent, and if not for the advantage I had due to the Patriots cheating, there isn't much of a chance ND will ever get to a championship game while you're here. That is of course unless ND decides to move to D1-AA, or they can my large behind and hire a real coach."

[burnsmi4]

Weis is still living off the super bowl runs. he tells recruits what they want to hear about getting to the league and the millions of dollars they will throw at them. along with his other tactics its why he is a good recruiter for 17yr old kids. kind of like Zook. extremely shaddy

[JOHNNYDRAMA08]

Originally Posted by EMSP

Let's start a Zook thread.

Yeah, we can put it next to the thread labeled useless, brings nothing to any discussion thread for posts like this.

I agree that ND is a player for him, but it may not come to that. He could visit or make a decision a few days after he visits. ND offered after Custis dropped them so that could be a factor in whether or not he will visit ND. I have to think Zook will remind him of this. Also, it's interesting that MSU will be playing Ill. at home on Saturday. If we really impress on his visit I like MSU's chances if he makes a decision a few days after instead of visiting ND.

[JOHNNYDRAMA08]

This is great news concerning Ill. and Buchanan. From an article from the PSU site:

PSU football's prime recruiter and one of its best teaching assistants has, after a lengthy and serious flirtation with Illinois, decided to stay at Penn State, according to dependable sources within the university. Larry Johnson, who has recruited 11 of the 23 commitments on Penn State's docket for signing letters of intent next month, has spurned a lucrative offer from Ron Zook and decided Penn State is where he belongs.

Ill. has no D-coor., except for their current two and they may no longer be with the team? Not sure, but I thought that had LJ Sr. accepted the offer that Buchanan was going to Ill. He may still go to Ill., but this only increases MSU's chances with him.