Here is my notebook on the the defense thus far during training camp.

So the announcement I teased a few weeks ago is finally ready to be unveiled...

@Corey_Robinson and I will be starting a new podcast called Spartan Spotlight.
The primary focus will be to give you guys a whole new way to get to know a variety of guests. We plan to have recruiting targets, current MSU coaches, and even local high school coaches make "appearances" on the podcast. The first 3 guests look to be Dillon Tatum, Ruquan Buckley, and RB Coach Willie Peagler. We're still figuring out dates and stuff like that, but we're pretty much ready to get this rolling soon.

The most convenient part of this is that it will be available anywhere that you'd typically listen to podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, etc. This is actually why it took a few weeks to unviel the pod, since we wanted to make sure it was distrbuted on all those platforms before we said anything. It took longer than expected, leading to such a gap between my first mention of a project until this unveiling.

On that note, go to the link below to listen to "Episode 0" where Corey and I talk about our vision for the podcast. We also talk about our backgrounds, since we occasionally get asked how we got started in this business:

(You can skip the first 28 seconds. Don't worry, that's the only ad we have.)

---

We think this will be a really cool way for Spartan fans to get to know these guys on a more personal level than some transcribed quotes. Plus, a casual convo allows us to get into other topics like what these kids like to do for fun outside of sports, what music they like, etc.

We will need your help spreading this out as far as possible. Podcasts are usually most successful when listeners promote the pod via word of mouth, so we appreciate any promotion you may choose to give us via whatever platforms you use.

Also, this is just in addition to the content we provide. We won't be replacing the current stuff with this podcast. Plus, we will stay away from providing any premium content on this podcast (as that would devalue your memberships). The goal is to just make people more aware of me, Corey, and SpartanMag so that they are prompted to join the community, where the real insight will still be housed here. Similar to the Instagram page I started, brand promotion is the goal here so we can build this community up and also provide you guys another medium to get a unique insight. Thanks for the support, in advance!

Jim/Paul/Cory/Justin

What positions will the coaching staff focus on the last 11 spots? Thanks for all the hard work!

On TOS from Scherer. Qb from Cali

Login to view embedded media

I've been inundated with questions regarding our QB situation...

So typing with 1.5 hands (I still have no feeling in 3 of my fingers on my left hand) I'll try to summarize my thoughts until the discomfort/pain gets too intense (yes, they still hurt even though I can't feel them, crazy right?).

Rocky Lombardi-

As I've said many many times before, Rocky's the type of kid you'd want to be your son or your son's QB/MLB/Captain.

He's a very disciplined/hard working kid and he never seems to have a bad attitude, which is something I absolutely love and respect about him.

But that brings me to my first reservation when it comes to Rocky being our next starting QB...

He's not a killer.

Now what's a killer in the context of college football? It's simple...

Connor Cook.

Connor was a very talented athlete in high school (just ask his Dad but do so before he cracks his first beer, trust me) but he played in a very run heavy offense that never depended much on his arm at Walsh Jesuit...

In fact, Coach D offered him because he was a good athlete who had the ability to potentially be a dual-threat QB...

Now we all know he developed into a pro-style pass first QB but that's not my point.

My point is when Connor Cook arrived in EL, he literally couldn't hit the broadside of a barn...

And if you needed him to throw a bubble screen or quick out route under pressure, good luck.

Who does that remind us of in terms of accuracy? Rocky Lombardi.

But IMO Rocky's not a killer like Connor was and that's not something you can teach...

See Connor was an angry dude, he did have a bad attitude at times, and he was on a mission to prove everyone wrong.

Who's everyone? OSU because they never sent him a single generic recruiting letter, the recruiting services that ranked him a 2 star prospect, and the dozens of other programs that never offered him a scholarship.

In fact, after throwing for 14 INT's and only 9 TD's in his junior season, he only received personalized recruiting letters from Miami of Ohio, Akron, and Michigan State University.

Why did MSU offer him? Because a former passionate assistant coach by the name of Pat Narduzzi loved his competitiveness, his pissed off attitude, and his confident personality.

The same reasons Connor never became a true leader at MSU, like Rocky Lombardi has become, is what our former coaching staff loved about him.

So yes, they were both very inaccurate QB's early-on in their careers at MSU, but they're completely different people/QB's.

As Rocky had offers from Big Ten and Ivy League programs, including in-state power Iowa.

He was considered a true leader in his high school, a phenomenal student, and an elite level athlete...

And he was raised by a truly loving family that supported him unconditionally...

Connor? He was raised in a bar in Northeastern, Ohio and by a family that preached toughness/competitiveness over all else.

So yes, Connor did eventually improve on his accuracy after working tirelessly on throwing fundamentals with my good friend George Whitfield, but he never truly perfected it...

And bad habits always seemed to creep back into his motion every now and again...

Regardless, Connor's the exception when it comes to inaccurate QB's becoming record setting QB's or even winning QB's in the Big Ten conference.

Meaning for those that are not paying attention, it doesn't happen very often, if ever.

So can Rocky do it?

Well do what? Can Rocky become a killer IMO? No...

Can he drastically improve his throwing motion/accuracy? Possibly...

But I'm not sure that can happen to the extent needed with the unconventional offseason we just had.

And I know some of you will say/think "Rocky was a phenomenal wrestler in high school, he's a killer!", no...

If you say or think that, you don't understand what I'm saying...

As IMO that makes him a great competitor but not a true win at all cost killer...

Connor literally got better under pressure, instead of letting nerves overwhelm his senses, he became more focused, more clear minded, and most importantly more deadly accurate.

That's a killer.

Now what are the unknowns? Why can't I come on here and tell you who the starting QB is going to be?

Well we don't totally know what Coach Tucker values in a QB, what JJ's offense will look like, or what type of QB he prefers...

We have ideas but not the level of certainty we'd have if we watched a live game or even a spring game...

And because of that, we don't know if Rocky improved on his throwing fundamentals since bowl practice...

We don't know if Theo took this offseason seriously and is finally putting in the hours/work to be a legitimate Big Ten QB.

Hell, we don't even know if Payton put on the necessary muscle to withstand a full Big Ten schedule (well I do, that's next )

In case you missed the Tucker radio show a couple of weeks ago, there was some interesting give and take between coach and player on that show that we worked into this story.

Updated for whoever was wondering. I think @CaliSpartan

Are we recruiting him as an Athlete? His Future Cast bio. says CB but most of his highlight film is at QB or Special Teams. He's very fast and elusive with the ball in his hands.

If there is a vote by Big Ten presidents and chancellors, which is expected, Michael Spath, who has good sources and has covered the University of Michigan for a number of years, tweeted this a short time ago:

Login to view embedded media

From a source this morning on whether Michigan's president will vote to play football: "He's trying to put out so many fires on campus that he just doesn't have the political capital to deny sports, especially when the blowback was far greater than I think anyone expected."

Hey guys, I'm continuing the push to make SpartanMag.com more visible on social media. Today I took over an Instagram page from a friend and rebranded it as the official Spartan Mag Instagram page. Please go give it a follow!

https://www.instagram.com/thespartanmag

The more popular our page gets on Instagram, the more it'll help us get in touch with recruits if they're hard to reach via Twitter. As a result, we'll be able to provide even more insight for you. So, it's in your best interests to follow the page to directly improve the product of this site.
But sales pitch aside lol, I think it'll be a cool page where you can get some quick-hitters about what's happening with MSU Sports when the topics are non-premiuim and don't require a ton of discussion or articles to go with it.

And since you're in the mood to help out our social media efforts by now (hopefully), feel free to give us a follow on Twitter as well:

https://twitter.com/thespartanmag?s=21

6pm per his twitter

The Spartans could get more good news soon.

My futurecast with Estime to MSU is looking very good right now. Lets say north of 75%.

Things are moving and he is close to officially picking a school, which I believe will be MSU.

Go Green

Spartan commit having a solid year through 3 weeks!

Login to view embedded media

I received some information that the Grigsby recruitiment is not over. That Grigsby picking Vanderbilt tomorrow is now no longer a sure thing and it is possible that MSU is making a late push to secure his commitmnet. The source I am getting this from is excellent, however, this is recruiting and sometimes information can be leaked to drum up suspense. However, I am leaning towards MSU having a real shot at getting his commitment tomorrow.

I will leave my Vandi FC for now, I would say 55% Vandi with the information I have currently. But my phone is getting busy and as information rolls in I will be ready to adjust if needed.

Sorry in advance if this ends up beeing a false lead, but I figure I would share and let each magger process the info on their own.

Stay Tuned

Go Green

Login to view embedded media
Sounds promising...

And I continue to be impressed with how our staff leaves no stone unturned when it comes to kids with MSU connections throughout the country.

@Corey_Robinson @jim comparoni @Justin Thind

I saw it confirmed elsewhere that this Friday will be the official commitment date. Do we have anything here? Is it us vs Auburn still or is there a chance Purdue/Kansas has snuck their way up? Obviously this recruitment has been quiet, so is this going to be a true “wait and see”?

@Corey_Robinson @Justin Thind @jim comparoni @SpartanInsight @OhioSpartan

I just can’t get into it. Football is about the roar of the crowd and momentum swings. This is just watching a scrimmage. I’m glad some of these players are getting to play and I’m sure for them it is still a great time which matters most. The fan experience is just rough though.

A short story on Tucker's take on team culture:

A REAL college game on the four letter network.

Watching high school football and seeing how it can be done. Please figure this out if high schools can do it

A short story with quotes from his radio show: