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Michigan State has strong weekend
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After waiting to get a scholarship offer from Ohio State, Antonio Jeremiah of Hilliard (Ohio) Darby has chosen to attend Michigan State after a recent visit to the school.
By Jeremy Crabtree, Rivals.com
Michigan State football fans had a very good weekend.
New coach
Mark Dantonio finished his first full official visit weekend with a bang, snagging several impressive recruits. After seeing several top commitments defect to other schools during the Spartans' coaching search, this weekend was just what the doctor ordered for East Lansing faithful.
The biggest name to commit to the Spartans was four-star defensive tackle
Antonio Jeremiah of Hilliard (Ohio) Darby. Jeremiah is one of the top defenders in the Midwest and was named to play in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl on Jan. 4 in Fort Lauderdale
Jeremiah had been holding out for an Ohio State scholarship offer. However, when Dantonio put the full-court press on him Jeremiah knew he was going to be a Spartan.
"They had pretty much everything I was looking for," Jeremiah said. "I had been planning this for a while. On the visit I definitely decided. I liked everything and liked the coaches, so I committed."
Jeremiah had plenty of interest in Ohio State, but the Buckeyes had been holding off on extending an offer until he reached an acceptable score on the ACT.
"They were talking about offering after I got an 18 on the ACT," he said. "I'll get it for sure, but it won't matter because I'm heading to East Lansing. I'm a Spartan now."
Rivals.com ranked Jeremiah as the No. 11 defensive tackle in the country and the No. 4 player in Ohio. He is excited to get a chance to show Spartans fans what type of player they're going to be getting.
He'll be able to give them a sneak preview at the All-American Bowl. Rivals.com is the official selection partner for the all-star game, and the contest will be televised live by ESPNU.
"They're going to see me all over the field making plays," Jeremiah said. "My mission is to go down there and be a quarterback's worst nightmare. The quarterback from the West better be ready for me."
Joining Jeremiah as new Spartans this weekend were three-star receiver
B.J. Cunningham of Westerville (Ohio) South and in-state offensive lineman
Joel Foreman of Highland (Mich.) Milford. Foreman is a player that really impressed as a senior. Cunningham is the type of receiver that could make an early impact, along with superstar commitment
Mark Dell.
"Coach Dantonio had me in his office and offered me a scholarship," Cunningham said. "I told him I wanted to come to Michigan State and he was real excited. He said he wants players that are tough and can play right away."