07-17-2008, 12:11 PM
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#77 (permalink)
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 10,000+ posts
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: In your dreams
Posts: 19,207
 Mark Dantonio
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The Morning Journal - Sailors Hoebing MSU bound
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| Sailors Hoebing MSU bound | | MATT GOUL , Morning Journal Writer |
Derek Hoebing had a feeling he soon would soon be offered a football scholarship when he visited Michigan State last Saturday. He was offered it the next day.
''It was pretty cool,'' said Hoebing, who will play tight end for the Spartans. ''I didn't sleep much that night. I only got about four hours of sleep. I committed around 6 o'clock. I was on the phone all the time.''
Teammates, coaches, friends and family were all quick to hear the news. The 6-foot-6, 245-pound Vermilion senior is headed for East Lansing, Mich., but not until after his senior year of football and basketball conclude.
By Monday morning, Hoebing was back at it with his teammates. Football weight lifting and conditioning began at 6:15 a.m., about 12 hours after he made his college commitment.
''We sort of knew he would commit to a bigger university, but we didn't know which one,'' Vermilion coach Frank Horvath said.
Hoebing was mostly a run-blocking tight end last year. From that point, Mid-American Conference schools were his potential suitors.
Then, a few camps allowed Hoebing to exhibit his talents as a pass-catching tight end, which is when BCS-conference schools like Michigan State, Maryland and Virginia took notice.
''If they were skeptical about the pass catching, they saw it in camp,'' Hoebing said.
Hoebing attended the Cleveland Combine in May at Cleveland Browns Stadium, then attended camps at Ohio State and Michigan State. Hoebing received visits, particularly from Michigan State offensive coordinator Don Treadwell. A 1978 graduate of Oberlin High School, Treadwell and Horvath were familiar with each other from Treadwell's recruiting days at Youngstown State when Horvath coached Wellington.
Treadwell played quarterback at Oberlin and was a four-year starting receiver at Miami (Ohio).
''He said, ΤNo matter where you go, I'm happy for you because you're a Lorain County guy,' '' Hoebing said.
Horvath said Hoebing's role should change a little this year, and he will use him more as a pass-catching tight end.
''Derek is one that is a team player,'' Horvath said. ''He will do anything that will help our team have success.''
Hoebing was even willing to move to tackle at one point. He played the position as a freshman, but has been utilized mostly as a tight end and defensive end/linebacker since his sophomore season.
As for his decision to attend Michigan State, Hoebing said a few factors favored the Spartans. He liked the campus and remodeled facilities. Another factor for Hoebing's family is the distance and Michigan State being much closer than Maryland and Virginia.
Hoebing said he still plans to play basketball this year following football season. After helping the Sailors to a regional appearance in basketball, Hoebing can now worry about high school football. Two-a-day practices begin in two weeks.
''Now that I committed, I don't have to worry about it,'' he said. ''It's taken the weight off my shoulders.''
mgoul@MorningJournal.com
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__________________
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Originally Posted by Tom Izzo
"But guys got to know that you come to a program like this to win championships.
"I want another banner to hang."
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Originally Posted by spartaspartan
tuff Natron -- Leonardo DiCaprio Leo is the man, period
Natron the Spartan Serpentor (GI Joe) supremely engineered and should replace Cobra Commander (Fletch)
Natron the Spartan John Hancock thinker, leader, and the founding father of another signature
Natron the Spartan Elephant Powerful dominant figure on the board
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