Nick Foles has MSU football head coach Mark Dantonio anticipating big things.

The newest recruit for the 2007 Spartans football team, Foles signed a National Letter of Intent on Feb. 18 to become the 21st member of the MSU football recruiting class.

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound quarterback threw for 3,296 yards, 33 touchdowns and four interceptions his senior year at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas, the same school NFL quarterback Drew Brees attended. Foles set new school career records for passing yards with 5,658, and passing touchdowns, 56. He also led his team to a 12-3 season that ended with a trip to the Class 5A Division I championship game against Southlake Carroll.

Foles was named No. 184 among the nation's top 200 prospects in Tom Lemming's Prep Football Report and is ranked as No. 18 among the nation's top drop-back/pro-style quarterbacks by analyst Max Emfinger.

"(Foles) has all the physical attributes that you're looking for in a quarterback," MSU head coach Mark Dantonio said in a written statement. "He has the physical stature to go along with the arm strength to throw the ball downfield effectively. (Foles) posted some incredible passing numbers as a senior, especially when you consider that he played in a pro-style attack."

Only four interceptions in 280 passing attempts is what stood out to Dantonio.

"That's making good decisions and taking care of the football," he said.

The Spartans were fortunate to sign one of the nation's most talented quarterbacks, Dantonio said. He anticipates Foles will provide immediate competition at the quarterback position.

During the last 12 games of the 2006 season, Foles played with a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder.

That just showed his toughness, Dantonio said.