MSU’s pool of interested football recruits may be shrinking in the aftermath of Monday’s firing of head coach Bobby Williams.
At least one MSU verbal commitment - tight end Garrett Bushong of Ionia - is talking to other teams and might reconsider his decision, his mother, Janie Bushong, said.
Janie Bushong said with MSU’s problems on and off the field, she isn’t sure the program is the one her son wants to join.
Recruiting expert Bill Kurelic said MSU fans should expect commitments like Garrett Bushong to waver and the long list of interested players to shorten after this tumultuous season.
The team started with a national ranking and expectations to compete for the Big Ten title. Instead, it has gone 3-6; star quarterback Jeff Smoker is being treated for a substance abuse problem; starting tailback Dawan Moss was kicked off the team after a triple-offense incident with Lansing police; and Williams is jobless.
“In short term, I certainly think it will have an effect,” Kurelic said. “The players who are already committed are opening things up. I’ve talked to a couple who are considering Michigan State, and they’re not sure if they’re going to visit now.”
Recruits aren’t fully committed until they sign a National Letter of Intent - until then, they’re free to change their minds. Signing day isn’t until February, and MSU’s four verbal commitments now are all expected to at least shop around.
Joining Bushong on the verbal list is Lansing Eastern linebacker Kaleb Thornhill, the brother of former Spartan Josh Thornhill; Cassopolis defensive end Derrick Outlaw; and Clymer, N.Y., running back Jehuu Caulcrick.
Kurelic said at least three of the four would most likely stick it out.
Saginaw head football coach Don Durrett said the most important thing recruits look for is the opportunity to play their freshman year - especially with the growing trend of players leaving early for the money of the NFL. And firing a head coach doesn’t change the fact that a team has a position to fill, Durrett said.
“In the old days, people may have run from (MSU) since they fired a coach,” he said. “But now the thinking is, ‘I just want to get right in and play.’ The next step is money, and players are thinking, ‘How fast can I have that?’”
Durrett has two prized recruits MSU would love to sign - linebacker LaMarr Woodley and running back Jerome Jackson. Durrett said he’s spoken to both players, and while they’re upset MSU didn’t let Williams finish the season, he doesn’t think the firing will influence their decisions too much.
“They haven’t said anything,” Durrett said. “If they have an opening, they’ll get a good chance of getting them.”
Recruiting isn’t the only football-related area that could take a hit. There’s speculation university donations could fall as well.
Chris Ritrievi, associate athletics director and director of development for intercollegiate athletics, said the Ralph Young Fund actually saw a first-quarter increase of 8 percent from last year.
The Ralph Young Fund is a university account for donations and gifts that supplements team budgets and scholarships. About 6,000 alumni and fans contribute to the fund, which was created in 1963 to honor MSU’s first athletics director, Ralph Young.
“We’re off to a good start,” Ritrievi said. “There’s a lot of loyalty among our donors - whether we win or lose. There may be some effect, but I don’t think it will be major because our donations come in every year to make Spartan sports a better experience.”
Ritrievi said the first quarter is typically slow, and he expects donations to pick up during this second quarter. The fourth quarter also is important because football tickets go on sale, and consequently, interest in MSU sports increases.
MSU spokesman Terry Denbow said speculation shouldn’t be raised about the fund.
“Fund raising is based on long-term commitment to a university,” Denbow said. “Episodes of good and bad don’t really determine or affect in any great measure the overall fund raising.”
