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Sports | Football

FOOTBALL

Former MSU coach Nick Saban called out for comments on NFL draft feedback

Former MSU and current Alabama head coach Nick Saban recently stated at SEC Media Days that he felt NFL draft feedback for players gauging their standing at the next level is a distraction to said players who are preparing for the final stretch of their season. Saban coached MSU from 1995-99, but he left to become the head coach at Louisiana State before the bowl game in the 1999 season after leading the Spartans to a 9-2 record. Former MSU wide receiver Plaxico Burress who played for the Spartans during Saban's tenure took offense to Saban's remarks. Burress was considering leaving school early for the NFL, but Saban convinced Burress to stay to "finish what he started." The former wide receiver recently took to Twitter to call out his former coach. I recall Nick Saban telling me to stay in school finish what I started, I wasnt 1st round pick and he left for LSU b4 the season was over — Plaxico Burress (@plaxicoburress) July 15, 2015 Now Nick Saban goes on tv saying that kids are distracted by NFL projections.

FOOTBALL

MSU football adds four new commits to defensive line

It was a big weekend for MSU football on the recruiting trail—just last week the class of 2016 had no defensive lineman and in a span of four days the Spartans have received verbal commitments from two defensive ends and two defensive tackles in what could be an impressive front four in the years to come. Shortly before the first commitment of the weekend four-star wide receiver commit Cameron Chambers gave a hint that some recruiting news would be on the way. Chambers and the other members of the class of 2016 or the "dream team" as they've dubbed themselves have been pushing hard for other recruits to commit to MSU.

FOOTBALL

Former cornerback Trae Waynes could be taken as high as No. 7 according to new mock drafts

Mike Zimmer strolled along the indoor practice fields at the Duffy Daughtery building this past March during MSU's pro day, with a keen eye on Trae Waynes, who participated in position drills in front of multiple NFL general managers and scouts.  Zimmer, the head coach for the Minnesota Vikings, was one of three sideline generals who arrived to East Lansing to catch a glimpse of the available talent in April 30 draft in Chicago.  Waynes, longly considered to be the top cornerback on the board, could be taken as high as No.

FOOTBALL

Spring game draws 48,000 people to Spartan Stadium

Kaden Moore stood on the practice fields behind the Duffy Daugherty building with his friends and father Saturday morning, stargazing at the players running various drills.  Kaden was one of the 1,700 attendees at the annual youth clinic, hosted by the football program to provide children aged 12 or younger an opportunity to participate in activities on the same field as their heroes do.  Before the players strapped up the helmets and shoulder pads for the annual spring game in front of the general public, they donned their jerseys and sweatpants, avoiding the cold while also enjoying the time they had with the younger ones. It wasn't just the kids who got a kick out of meeting the likes of Shilique Calhoun and Connor Cook, the parents, with their cameras and autographed footballs held at their sides, took in the 90 minutes of excitement while standing next to future NFL stars, including some local players from their home town.  "Kevin Cronin is a Traverse City boy, so we taught him in school, and we got a picture with him," Scott Moore of Elk Rapids said.

FOOTBALL

Lessons from this year's football spring game

On a chilly cloudy day, there were people tailgating on Shaw Lane and there was a buzz in East Lansing. No, it's not the fall, but there was a record 48,000 people in Spartan Stadium to watch the annual spring game, in which the White team defeated the Green team 9-3.

FOOTBALL

Battlefield Brawl charity event features T.J. Duckett in Lansing

Justin Caine sat in the Sparrow Hospital when he was 10-years-old on the first day of fourth grade, diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor hemorrhage, ending his dream of playing organized football.  It was a tumor that had been growing since the day Caine was born, but was undetected by his family until it was too late.

FOOTBALL

Things to watch for in the spring game

With the MSU football spring game this Saturday there will be several themes and players to watch out for in the game.  Defense While all of the starters will not be playing together it will be interesting to see the Spartans on defense without defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi at the helm.  Cornerback Battle The starting cornerback battle will be a big one for the team as the team must replace Trae Waynes and two-way player Tony Lippett who was starting opposite Waynes at the end of last season.