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Rucker commits, Glover changes mind
By DAVID BAUGH Tribune Chronicle correspondent
For many high school football players throughout the country, this time of year represents one of the most important periods of their lives. That?s because it?s time for them to make one of the biggest decisions that they?ll ever have to make by selecting the school that they?ll continue their academic and athletic careers.
For Warren G. Harding?s Sidney Glover and Chris Rucker, those decisions were made within the last seven days as they both issued verbal commitments to West Virginia and Michigan State, respectively.
?I was up at the Rutgers game a couple of weeks ago, and the atmosphere was crazy,? Glover said of West Virginia. ?I want to be apart of that. I graduate next week, so I?m trying to get down there for the winter semester.?
Back on June 25, Glover originally issued a verbal commitment to the University of Indiana. He responded by having a standout year on both sides of the ball as he ran for 527 yards and five touchdowns on 82 carries, while recording 130 tackles (80 solo), two interceptions, and one touchdown on defense.
During the season, many schools began to pick up interest in Glover, one of them being West Virginia.
After carefully reviewing his options, Glover made the decision to continue his athletic career as a Mountaineer.
?The coaches told me that I?ll be in the rotation early at safety,? Glover said. ?Since I?m going up there early, I?ll have an advantage over the other recruits coming in. I want to be on the field as much as possible, and I?m going to work hard to earn a starting spot.?
Like Glover, Rucker closed out his high school career on a solid note by compiling 521 yards and seven touchdowns on 35 receptions, adding four interceptions on defense.
His efforts landed him offers from schools the likes of Cincinnati, Indiana and several MAC schools. Recently, Michigan State came calling, and after visiting East Lansing this past weekend, Rucker knew that?s where he wanted to be.
?I liked it up there a lot,? Rucker said about his visit to Michigan State. ?They have good coaches, it?s not too far from home, and my parents are comfortable with it. It feels good to get it over with.?
Michigan State?s recent hiring of Coach Mark Dantonio, the former coach at the University of Cincinnati, played a huge role in Rucker?s final decision. He (Rucker) also said he can contribute sooner than later.
?Coach Dantonio is a proven coach, and I think that he?s going to get Michigan State back to their winning ways,? Rucker said. ?He told me that I?ll be in the rotation at cornerback, but my goal is to work myself into a starting role.?
Rucker was the fourth member of Warren G. Harding?s 2007 class to commit to a college. Dan Herron committed to The Ohio State University on July 10, while Marlin Parker issued a verbal to the University of Toledo on August 10.
As excited as Rucker feels about his future, he hopes that more of his teammates will also have the opportunity to play at the next level.
?I?m glad that we already have four guys committed at this point,? Rucker said. ?We have a lot of talent, and I hope that more of my teammates will begin to get offers in the future.?
