Arthur Ray Jr., a 2007 MSU football signee from Chicago, has been diagnosed with cancer and is awaiting chemotherapy.

The 6-foot-3, 294-pound offensive lineman could have helped fill holes in MSU's roster — he was a top-ranked national recruit, rated No. 18 overall among incoming guards by Rivals.com and the ninth-ranked player from the state of Illinois.

Ray helped Mount Carmel High School average 222.2 rush yards per game in 2006.

In a statement released Thursday, MSU head coach Mark Dantonio expressed sympathy on behalf of the MSU community and is hopeful that Ray will still be able to enroll in the fall.