McDowell told Marshall he would pick UM (pre-announcement)

Submitted by Wee-Bey Brice on

As if the recruitment of Malik McDowell needed anymore "Wait... What?!" moments, TheWolverine released an interview with Lawrence Marshall earlier that included a pretty shocking quote:

"I told him he should go there if he wanted to - I'm happy for him at MSU," Marshall said. That was the school he wanted to go to. But he came to school today and was basically telling me he was going to Michigan. When the letter was on the table and he signed it, I thought he was going to Michigan.

When I first got there this morning he was leaning toward Michigan and telling me he was going to Michigan, so when he announced it, I was shocked."
 

Wait...WHAT?! I am now trapped in a glass case of emotion. It should be noted that McDowell's LOI is still not in, so who knows where he will end up.

Mercury Hayes

February 6th, 2014 at 3:42 PM ^

Are the Michigan coaches still in touch with McDowell? If he didn't  decide on MSU until Tue. morning, Mattison and Hoke should be hanging with Mama Crowe playing Family Fued in the McDowell's living room right now.

Wee-Bey Brice

February 6th, 2014 at 3:45 PM ^

One thing we have to acknowledge is that he could quite possibly have interest in both. And Ohio. And Florida State.

Cyrus Kouandjio committed to Auburn then basically flipped to Alabama 27 seconds later. Committing to one rival doesn't mean you don't hold the other in high regard as well.  

GoBLUinTX

February 6th, 2014 at 5:16 PM ^

for Malik, his interest seems to be centered around the nightlife and party time.  If we had heard that he feels that Coach Narduzzi could best prepare him for the next level, that would have meant something.  If he said that law enforcement interests him and he wanted to see about the School of Criminology at MSU, that's something of substance.  But what we've heard from him is that he had fun partying with the guys while at MSU and he found the academic tours at Michigan boring.

He doesn't seem ready to move along in life; his mother apparently realizes it and is using her very last chance to mold her son.

BlueCube

February 6th, 2014 at 3:52 PM ^

Eric Rutter has an article at Maize n Brew about the possiblity that he ends up at Michigan.

I think he's getting heavy pressure from many sources and he seems to not want to tell anyone no. There seems to be something that happened during one of his MSU visits that really upset his mother and apparently doesn't like D'Antonio

"Due to a series of events that occurred at Michigan State (which should remain undisclosed until Crowe feels the need to speak on the matter- if that happens), Crowe was left with a sour taste in her mouth regarding the Spartans. This only intensified during their in-home visit with Michigan State head coach Mark D'Antonio. His mom was present for that visit, and it did not go very well at all."

Link

dahblue

February 6th, 2014 at 4:53 PM ^

I know that most have heard the rumors that Malik was drunk, excited about getting some college squeezins and the whole "you don't have to go to class at MSU" thing....but maybe it's more simple than parents being concerned about their son being in a bad atmosphere.  I think the problem is just that she met Dantonio.  He's kinda a dick.

dahblue

February 6th, 2014 at 7:43 PM ^

It was a joke (kinda) but Dantonio is a dick. Side note, NCAA won't be investigating anything. They probably got him drunk and laid. It happens. Kid doesn't want to go to class and Dantonio is cool with it. That's that.

ChuckieWoodson

February 6th, 2014 at 3:53 PM ^

He's just setting up the ultimate sparty betrayal of all time!  He secretly hates MSU and just wants them to feel like they were winning and then take it back at the last second.. (ahem)

blacknblue

February 6th, 2014 at 3:54 PM ^

This reminds me more of Seantrel Henderson who I believe was the #1 recruit in 2010 or close to it. He started saying Michigan was his leader, never took an official here committed to USC on signing day, waited to sign his loi and about a month or two after he signed he decided he wanted to go to Miami.

KodiakGT

February 6th, 2014 at 3:56 PM ^

I can't really blame him for being indecisive.  I wanted to go to State for the longest time, had a roommate assigned and everything.  One day I woke up and thought that academically I really needed to be at Michigan (wanted to major in Engineering).  Turned out to be the right decision for me, but who's to say what's right for him.  I at least had the benefit of both parents supporting my choice either way, his situation is much more difficult in that regard.

The FannMan

February 6th, 2014 at 3:58 PM ^

Look, it seems this guy finds himself caught up in the recruting machine.  He and his family need time and space to sort things out.  Let's just all back off for awhile and it will sort itself out.

gwkrlghl

February 6th, 2014 at 7:45 PM ^

If he and his parents hadn't been doing the recruitment thing for months and months now. Their family let it all get out in the public and I think it's his parents who are most to blame. They're the one's always talking to the media, not Malik.

They should've resolved this beforing holding a big ol' press conference but they didn't and now they're in their own chaos

J.

February 6th, 2014 at 7:52 PM ^

I assume these press conferences tend to get scheduled quite a bit in advance.  Besides, I'm sure all sides (Malik and his parents) assumed that having that deadline in place would cause them to reach an agreement.  It seems that they miscalculated, but i wouldn't necessarily call them out for it.

At the end of the day, I hope the young man goes to a school where he'll be comfortable and will be able to prepare for a successful future.  Whether that's Michigan, Staee, or Free Shoes U, I wish him the best of luck.

champswest

February 6th, 2014 at 4:00 PM ^

I feel for both Malik and his parents.  I can see both sides.  I have long thought that there are certain schools that I would not want my son (or daughter) going to, or coaches that I would not want them to play for and I would lobby long and hard against them.  But, in the end, I think I woud have to say that it is your life and you must decide and then support them with what ever they choose.  

However, I would also probably tell them that if/when the thing happens that I warned you about, don't come crying to me and expect sympathy.  I will tell you that it was your choice, now buck up and deal with it.

Forgive me.

February 6th, 2014 at 4:07 PM ^

Give the young fella' a break rather than analyzing his psychological stability or second guessing his loyalties.. Having a bunch of middle aged booster/ fan-boy types salivating over him and scrutinizing his every move just exacerbates the creepiness.  

So goes the wonderful world of recruiting. One more reason to hate the spectacle that is NSD. 

Michigania

February 6th, 2014 at 8:49 PM ^

Erik... I gotta disagree here with the idea of feeling sorry. His mother seems to actually give a shit about his well being and appears shes not going to give in to whats convenient. Thats a parent who actually cares. You feel sorry for those same kids who dont go to class or do coke up at msu ? How much do you think their parents care about that? Obviously not enough. McDowell is lucky to have a mother that is willing to do whatever it takes to put his best long term interests in front. Alot of people here dont have kids so they cannot relate. Believe that if he were mature enough then the mother would see that his choice was a mature one even if she didnt like it. This woman is a good mother who wont compromise her values. And he is lucky to have it...tough love is love

ontarioblue

February 6th, 2014 at 4:32 PM ^

open to him?

1. Father goes to court and tries to get solo control of Malik eliminating the mother from the process.  This is a long and bitter process.

2. Malik's mom and him sit down and talk it through.  Whatever happened at MSU that pissed her off needs to be addressed and resolved to her satisfaction.

3. Family meets with Dantonio and MSU AD to resolve issues.

4.  Malik goes elsewhere

5. Mom does the right thing and trusts her son.

I would hope in the end it is #5.  For the sake of Malik, get this done now.

CooperLily21

February 6th, 2014 at 4:37 PM ^

I think you're right, that those are his options.  But I disagree with your choice.  As I mentioned above, from all that I've read, it seems to me as though Malik might not know whats best for him and maybe not even be mature enough to be considering the important aspects of his decision.  But, again, I really have no clue what I'm talking about so, yeah.  And its very possible that his mother is a bit crazy and misguided by some long past wrong.  Although, it could be a very, very bad experience.  Like something REALLY bad that should be enough for Malik to not consider MSU.  Who knows.