Malik McDowell to MSU (Per Ohio Insiders website, as discussed on Reddit)
http://www.reddit.com/r/CFB/comments/1x1w9l/malik_mcdowell_to_msu_again…
Apparently he won't invite his mum to the ceremony.
February 5th, 2014 at 9:31 AM ^
that his mother overheard him (happily) talking with other MSU players about how they don't have to go to class. The fact that his father explicitly said he has non-football friends Malik really needs to get away from.
February 5th, 2014 at 10:40 AM ^
February 5th, 2014 at 10:54 AM ^
You're conveniently ignoring the "not going to class" part of that equation.
February 5th, 2014 at 12:03 PM ^
How is that a character issue? What kid his age isn't excited about college parties? He could mature a little bit sure, but "character"...comon mang.
February 5th, 2014 at 6:55 PM ^
is much different than going as a student whose primary aim is to play football. I don't think any of us went to the U because we thought it was a party school and we wanted a non stop fun time. We knew it would be greuling work and the partying would be limited to the end of exams and the beginning of the semester with a few other times thrown in. Seems he wants to party and not get an education. We are decidedly NOT the place for that. State is much more along those lines ( not that you can't get a quality education there, but you have to actually try. At the U you are expected to be there for the education and you would have to work NOT to get an education )
February 5th, 2014 at 6:35 AM ^
February 5th, 2014 at 7:14 AM ^
For what it is worth Sam Webb says he doesn't have a clue where Malik is going as of this morning.
February 5th, 2014 at 7:26 AM ^
I think it is very important he makes his own choice. If its Sparty for partying, so be it. Things may change in a year or two. He may have enough of parties and focus on school and football at MSU. He may realize he wants something different and transfer. Or he may party himself out of football. Unfortunate, but so many other students do this and we don't pass judgment on them.
As to Malik and UM. It's obvious we're not the fit. It's unfortunate that our "family, school, football, and grow into an upstanding man" recruiting style isn't for all 17 year olds. Such is the decision Hoke and company have made for recruiting. It will cost is kids like Malik, but it can pay dividends in team cohesiveness, work ethic, etc. (time will tell how successful it will be, though I do prefer Hoke's approach compared to Saban's/Kiffin's/Meyer's).
I have no problem with us not getting him. The fit doesn't appear to be right for either side at this stage in Malik's life. Next.
February 5th, 2014 at 8:24 AM ^
that we clutch this mantle so close to our bosoms, but
February 5th, 2014 at 9:31 AM ^
I think the stance you take in that second paragraph is a really arrogant and borderline offensive way of looking at/explaining things. To say those things don't matter because he chose another school is ridiculous.
This assumption that choosing State or OSU over Michigan is because he doesn't want to grow into an upstanding young man is absurd, and it is absolutely why UofM's fanbase gets panned. MSU and OSU turn 17 year olds into men the same way as Michigan does, academics argument be damned.
February 5th, 2014 at 9:44 AM ^
I hate the assumption to that not choosing UM = bad person/hates school
What I was trying to convey is that it appears UM have a certain recruiting pitch: this is what is important to us.
That does not mean those things aren't important to Malik. I have no idea what is important to him. At the same time, he might be confident in his own ability to grow into a man, and want a school with more focus on something different. Or he may see that the style at MSU can grow him into the type of man he wants to be. Or he could just prefer partying--I don't know. From the information we have, he doesn't seem to want what we're offering.
With the second paragraph, I was trying to make an observation of our general recruiting style, and how it will appeal more to some students than others. There are athletes with certain mindsets that we might miss out on due to that stance.
February 5th, 2014 at 10:10 AM ^
This is definitely a better way of saying it, I appreciate the clarification. As I said, I just think it's dangerous to make assumptions on the character of a teenager based on school choice and I think you agree with me there.
State has put some defensive linemen in good positions to be drafted and play (as has Michigan; Branch, Martin, Graham, etc.) and the current state of MSU's program is more than enough of a selling point I'd think for a defensive player to choose them independent of any other factors. Recruits have said though, 'it's Michigan' so I have no doubts this perception will slide back in favor of UofM.
Can't win them all, just hope for Michigan to win the next H2H.
February 5th, 2014 at 7:30 AM ^
In my experience, it is easier for the son to make a mistake, admit it, and ask for his parent's forgiveness than it is for a son to get over the resentment at his parents for being forced into a life decision he doesn't want.
I have no idea of all of this media whirlwind is true or what. But if what we've been reading is mostly factual, then I hope he makes his own decision and owns it.
February 5th, 2014 at 7:39 AM ^
February 5th, 2014 at 8:03 AM ^
FWIW, Sam Webb just said that he thinks it comes down to MSU and U-M. Based on info he got late last night, he says McDowell is "torn." Earlier yesterday (around 6pm), Sam thought it was going to be MSU, but his thinking has now changed.
He also said if McDowell picks MSU, he thinks there won't be an NLI signed today.
February 5th, 2014 at 8:48 AM ^
Yeah...if the parents won't sign it, the NLI doesn't mean anything. That would be an interesting "ceremony" if it was the kid arguing with the mom and dad about whether to sign or not. Hopefully none of them have to suffer that embarrassment and can come to a mutual agreement.
February 5th, 2014 at 9:39 AM ^
He's the situation I was talking about
February 5th, 2014 at 8:08 AM ^
February 5th, 2014 at 8:26 AM ^
But he should probably go where he wants to. It's not like MSU is a terrible place to go to school.
February 5th, 2014 at 8:37 AM ^
But...but...but....
What about the ROUSes and the quicksand? I've heard it is an awful place and that the inhabitants are never allowed to leave. There's even a rumor of a man with six fingers!?! Nope, it's an awful place and you can't tell me any different.
February 5th, 2014 at 9:13 AM ^
February 5th, 2014 at 8:28 AM ^
but there are other guys I've been more upset to lose. Good luck to him where he ends up, hope he's 0-4 against UM.
February 5th, 2014 at 8:31 AM ^
Obviously he is a huge talent in football, but aside from that I also respect the way he handled his recruitment. He didn't commit and then decommit and flip flop every 15 minutes like some. He wasn't using this time to hog the lime light and get his 15 minutes of fame. He kept quiet and played things close to the vest and pretty much refrained from taking the bait and naming leaders.
Obviously it is preferable to fans to have guys sign early and stcik to their commitments, but if a guy is going to wait until signing day to make his decision I can't think of a player who did it better than McDowell. I hope he chooses UM because he seem like he has a very good head on his shoulders, but good luck to him regardless.
February 5th, 2014 at 9:47 AM ^
well said
February 5th, 2014 at 8:31 AM ^
At this point, it is probably for the best if he doesn't sign with UM. He clearly doesn't want to be here, and I'm doubting his parents will be happy with him at MSU. And if it is true that they want him out because of who he associates, that isn't good either. Wish him the best wherever he signs, but considering he had months to commit and never did, this never felt like a good setup.
February 5th, 2014 at 8:37 AM ^
Oh well. Best of luck to him.
February 5th, 2014 at 8:44 AM ^
This could be a classic announcement.
February 5th, 2014 at 8:44 AM ^
February 5th, 2014 at 8:51 AM ^
My disappointment is minimal. If he really dislikes the prospect of being in A2, then it's probably best for everybody that he go elsewhere. The last thing any team needs are high-profile players who don't buy in.
February 5th, 2014 at 8:54 AM ^
Not only that but I honestly believe all this "drama" is fake. The kid has wanted to go there and his parents seem to be really enjoying the attention of the recruiting process. Good luck to him either way.
February 5th, 2014 at 9:01 AM ^
mom and pop not wanting him to go to State angle always sounded bogus to me. I guarantee in no time State will use that to demonstrate what a great place State really is and how they converted the parents.
February 5th, 2014 at 9:12 AM ^
Too bad. Losing out on Damon Webb was worse, but i did think McDowell was the #2 recruit based purely on potential. Cannot deny the kids frame - with proper technique and a lot of work, this kid could be dynomite.
Since he is going elsewhere, lets just hope he continues to play too upright, and gets crushed by our tackles who use proper leverage.
I definitely like Lawrence Marshall 'right now' as a prospect - but man, McDowell's ceiling is just so, so high.
February 5th, 2014 at 9:32 AM ^
Would still love to have Webb but IMO getting Peppers offsets that loss. Malik is someone at a position of need and is a big loss especially since we didn't get Hand.
February 5th, 2014 at 9:56 AM ^
Because the coaching of our offensive lineman has look promising thus far under this staff?
February 5th, 2014 at 12:12 PM ^
What coaching staff gets credit for our tackles?
Pretty much recruited by one coaching staff, 75% coached up by the other coaching staff.
February 5th, 2014 at 10:26 AM ^
February 5th, 2014 at 10:52 AM ^
and Lawrence Thomas.
February 5th, 2014 at 9:15 AM ^
If they wanted to be in the spotlight this past month, they've sure have gotten their wish.
February 5th, 2014 at 9:16 AM ^
What are we going to say then? Are we going to hope the best for him or are we sitting back waiting for a train wreck?
February 5th, 2014 at 9:31 AM ^
Both, with fingers crossed.
February 5th, 2014 at 9:38 AM ^
`They can have him after all this hoopla. Getting my popcorn ready.
February 5th, 2014 at 9:39 AM ^
February 5th, 2014 at 9:43 AM ^
He hasn't yet, but the live stream is here: http://www.freep.com/livestream/article/20140205/SPORTS07/140205003/signing-day-malik-mcdowell-southfield
February 5th, 2014 at 9:41 AM ^
After hearing his dad talk and the look on his face MSU is going to be the choice.
February 5th, 2014 at 9:56 AM ^
Meaning that it's gonna be MSU.
What a soap opera.
* It's official: it's MSU, per WTKA.
February 5th, 2014 at 9:48 AM ^
Malik looks so uncomfortable feel bad for the kid I just hope he is going to the school for the right reasons and that his parents concerns are not legit.
February 5th, 2014 at 9:50 AM ^
Does it keep freezing for anyone else?
February 5th, 2014 at 9:58 AM ^
February 5th, 2014 at 10:01 AM ^
February 5th, 2014 at 10:08 AM ^
Whether we want to admit it or not, this is a big miss for the coaching staff.
I'm not upset with how we've recruited whatsoever as the coaches have put together some great classes. And I'm in no way giving up on these coaches, I still believe they can and will succeed. But we can't sugar coat this after missing out on both Hand and MM.
Hopefully they put the full court press on KLS, Jashon Cornell, and Alabi, Settle, whoever. The "change to play early" selling point may not be too much of a stretch now.