Spartan football's fall lineup is going to add some much-needed bulk, now that defensive tackle Daniel Zynn has committed to play.
The 6-foot-4, 303-pound Zynn was one of the best defensive tackles coming out of high school, and was ranked second at the California Nike Camp. He was a first-team All-League, All-Area and All-CIF selection coming out of high school. Zynn said his size and power will be his greatest strength.
"I'm big in the weight room, and if you do well there, you'll do well on the field," he said.
Zynn's commitment came at a critical time - on Monday, Spartan football head coach John L. Smith announced junior defensive tackle Matthias Askew will forgo his senior season to enter the 2004 NFL Draft.
Jeremy Crabtree, editor of www.Rivals100.com, said Zynn is an important addition and a good fit for the team.
"He's not a guy that will be an All-America candidate, but he'll fill a need quickly," he said. "Plus, he's a big kid in the middle who will play his heart out and do most of his talking out on the football field."
After attending Boise State for a year, Zynn transferred to College of the Canyons, a junior college in California. Since joining the Cougars, Zynn has helped the team to an 11-1 record this season.
Cougar head coach Chuck Lyon declined to comment on Zynn's commitment, saying he wants to wait until Zynn signs a letter of intent.
Zynn visited MSU on Dec. 19 along with his teammate Domata Peko, younger brother of former Spartan Siitupe Peko.
"I was really impressed," Zynn said. "I didn't commit right then, but I told them if I had to make the decision tomorrow, I would choose (Michigan) State.
"Coach Smith is a player's coach, he's got a great attitude."
Despite scholarship offers from some of the country's top programs, including Washington, Texas A&M and Utah, Zynn said he thought MSU would be the best fit for him.
"MSU just felt right to me," he said. "It just felt like it was the place I was supposed to go."
Zynn is one of two top recruits the Spartans have picked up in the past week. Adrian High School tight end Kellen Freeman-Davis also made a verbal commitment this past weekend. The 6-foot-6, 232-pound senior is ranked as one of the top tight ends in the country by both ESPN.com and Rivals.com.
