The departure of senior linebacker Josh Thornhill to the NFL leaves a big hole in the middle of the MSU football team’s defense next season.
Enter a hopeful replacement for next fall - Riverside-Brookfield High (Illinois) linebacker Steve Kielp, who will sign a letter of intent to play for head coach Bobby Williams today.
“I think Kielp, a top 10 player in the state of Illinois, is very important to Michigan State,” said Bill Kurelic, recruiting analyst for MidwestRecruiting.com.
Kielp joins the Spartans as a player with a plethora of talent, but lacking the bulk to back it up. If he expects to see substantial minutes next fall, Kielp will need to add some meat to his bones.
But Kurelic said the 6-foot-6, 220-pound linebacker’s body still has room for a few more pounds.
“He’s a lengthy kid right now,” Kurelic said. “He has to get stronger, but he has a great frame to do that.”
Actually, the MSU coaching staff has been specific with Kielp about the amount of weight he needs to be effective as a freshman.
“They said to add 10 to 15 pounds freshman year so I can play,” Kielp said. “They are kind of short on linebackers. If I put on the weight I have the chance to back up (sophomore Mike) Labinjo.”
And Kielp is well on his way. He said he’s been lifting weights every day.
Despite Kielp’s current weight situation, Riverside-Brookfield head coach Otto Zeman said the Spartans are getting an athletic specimen with “legitimate 4.6” speed in the 40-yard dash.
Zeman said Kielp’s speed has made him an impact player who can cover the run as well as cause trouble in the passing game.
“He’s got real good speed, he can really run,” Zeman said. “He can step up and play the run and play the pass.”
Before coming to MSU, Kielp said he considered taking his services to Illinois, North Carolina or Georgia Tech, but the mixture of school and sports at MSU was a sale for the linebacker.
“I liked the combination of athletics and academics,” Kielp said.
Kielp isn’t the only recruit hoping to fill the void left by Thornhill.
Cliff Ryan, a 6-3, 255-pound linebacker from Saginaw Arthur Hill High will sign a letter of intent today.
Current Spartans from Saginaw include sophomore wide receiver Charles Rogers, sophomore defensive back Jeremiah McLaurin, freshman linebacker Ronald Stanley and sophomore linebacker Monquiz Wedlow.
“He’s got good size and moves well,” Kurelic said of Ryan, who runs a 4.7 40-yard dash. “He can hold down and anchor well.”
