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Recruits part 3

February 7, 2002
John R. Buchtel

High: Akron, Ohio

5-11, 170 pounds

Cornerback

Carlos Alexander is one of five Ohio natives coming to East Lansing next year.

The cornerback was named to the All-Midwest Team by Prep Football Report.

As a senior he had 48 tackles and five interceptions. Alexander also returned nine kickoffs and punts for touchdowns.

Alexander will bring the speed MSU head football coach Bobby Williams is looking for to the defense. In the 100-meter dash, Alexander ran a 10.78 as a junior, which was good placed second in the state.

“He is one of the guys that we think can come in here and give us depth at the cornerback position,” Williams said. “Another young man that will be competing for the Ohio state championship in track.”

Williams said Alexander said has a good opportunity to return kicks for the Spartans.


Kyle Cook

Dakota High: Macomb

6-4, 290 pounds

Offensive lineman

Cook will add to the great depth of the Spartan offense line.

“He is a very athletic offensive lineman,” Williams said. “Kyle also plays on the defensive line, too. Kyle is also on his basketball team right now, so you see a guy that’s close to 300 pounds that can run up and down the basketball court, can play on both sides of the football.

Steve Kielp

Riverside-Brookfield High: Brookfield, Ill

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6-6, 225 pounds

Linebacker

Kielp is a speedy linebacker that converts quickness into hard-hitting plays.

Rated among the top 125 prospects in the Midwest by Tom Lemming, Kielp recorded 70 tackles and four sacks in only nine games due to a foot injury his senior season.

“Steve is also another outstanding athlete on our football team that we’re looking forward to having,” Williams said. “Steve had an injury to his foot that made him miss three-quarters of the season, but he’s having correctional rehab, and he’s back and he’s ready to go.”

“We haven’t determined yet, but we’re going to look at him right now starting at the offensive line.”

Cook is rated as the 36th best offensive tackle in the nation by Rivals.com. He was also named All-County, All-League and All-Conference.

As a senior he played both offensive tackle and guard, as well as defensive tackle.


David Herron

Warren G. Harding High: Warren, Ohio

6-2, 235 pounds

Fullback

What impressed Bobby Williams about Herron was his ability to block.

“Funny story about this young man,” Williams said. “We were looking at the guy who went to Ohio State from his team who was the USA Today Player of the Year. As we were watching him, we wondered who this guy was blocking for him. David’s 6-3, has a chance to be 240-250. Just the typical type of fullback that we’ve had here in the past, so we’re very excited about David.”

Despite knocking people down, Herron recorded 300 yards and a led the team as a junior with nine touchdowns.


Matt Walters

Scottsdale Community College: Scottsdale, Ariz.

6-2, 240 pounds

Tight end

Walters joins MSU as an added dimension to the tight end group.

A junior college player at Scottsdale Community College, Walters brings age and experience to the established Spartan group.

“He is currently enrolled right now,” MSU football coach Bobby Williams said. “Matt came to us from Scottsdale, Arizona by way of Oregon. First player we’ve had here from the state of Oregon. Very excited about having him here and good thing about Matt, is that he’s going to have a chance to go through spring football, which will give him a chance to solidify the tight end position for us.”


Derron Ware

Dorsey High: Los Angeles, Calif.

6-3, 205 pounds

Safety

Ware comes to MSU after years of watching the Spartans at his home in California.

“We’re going to look at him as a safety,” Williams said. “Derron, we had him in camp here last summer. Derron grew up watching Michigan State all the way from the West Coast.

“It was very interesting that he was coming all this way to football camp and it wasn’t our camp. We had him here and he committed to us early and I tell you what, boy, he is an outstanding player and he’s going to make a push for a safety position this year.”

As a senior, Ware led the league with eight interceptions and Dorsey High School’s first City Section Championship since 1995.


Ashton Watson

Wayne High: Huber Heights. Ohio

6-0, 170 pounds

Cornerback

Watson is another speedy player for Bobby Williams.

As a senior, Watson recorded 50 tackles, two interceptions and nine pass break-ups. He also served time on special teams returning punts, five of which he took in for scores.

“Ashton is another track guy that has a chance to compete for an Ohio state championship, both in the 100 meters and the 4-by-1 relay,” Williams said. “Ashton came to us this summer, had a chance to have him in camp, work with him and he made and early commitment to us, so we’re very excited to have him.”


Nate Weber

Dorsey High: Los Angeles, Calif.

6-5, 300 pounds

Offensive lineman

MSU football coach Bobby Williams looks to place Weber in either the tackle or guard positions.

Before MSU, the All-American played center for Dorsey High School.

“Nate plays the center position but we’re going to look at him possibly as a tackle or guard,” Williams said. “As you can see, he’s well over 300 pounds and is an excellent athlete.”

In his senior season, Weber recorded 158 pancake blocks.

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