After earning offers from Ohio State, Notre Dame and Michigan, we knew it was only a matter of time before the Michigan State Spartans offered Bishop Luers (Ind.) 2016 wide receiver Austin Mack.
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Well on Tuesday, the Spartans made it official, when they offered Mack after his visit to East Lansing. Mack tweeted the news of his offer on Twitter.
Received my 11th offer from MSU , visited with @auston_robertsn—
Austin Mack (@Austin_Mack10) July 15, 2014
Again, the decision to offer Mack is not a surprise. The Fort Wayne, Indiana product is one of the top rising star wide receivers in the Midwest and Michigan State is smart to offer him now. The 6-foot 2 and 205 pound receiver, has good overall size, speed and ball skills and it showed in his sophomore year as he reportedly caught 57 passes for 805 yards and three touchdowns last season.
While some may look at his stats and say they aren’t that impressive, I encourage you to go watch some of his film. His great size, physical mentality and natural ball skills are what makes him special and it’s because of those attributes that Michigan State is high on him.
However, there is some debate out there about where Michigan State stands on Mack’s offer list.
Back in June, when Michigan offered Mack, MGoBlog.com recruiting reporter Brandon Brown, tweeted that Mack is very fond of Michigan and Ohio State and that it’s possible that his decision could come down to Ohio State and Michigan.
Now this is not to say that Mack doesn’t think highly of Michigan State and the offer that he just received because I honestly don’t know what he thinks of Michigan State, since I haven’t talked to him about his latest offer. However, I do see how Ohio State and Michigan could have the edge right now. Ohio State gave him his first big offer and when he got his offer from Michigan back in June, he told MGoBlog.com how excited and happy he was, since Michigan had been one of his favorites for a while now.
Mack explained how and why the [Michigan] offer was extended.
“Man, I was super excited! After a workout in The Big House, Coach Hoke just came and talked to me and then offered me. Right there on the field. It was awesome!” Mack exclaimed. “He said that I fit the system. The coaches liked how I ‘get big’ when I catch. I caught the ball well and just made a scene.”
Mack’s excitement was easy to detect. The Michigan offer was obviously one that he wanted badly, but the Wolverines aren’t the only big time Big Ten school that has offered him. The Buckeyes beat Michigan to the punch just five days prior and both schools are in good shape with him. Which offer did he enjoy more?
“You know I couldn’t even tell you,” He said. “Ohio State was like the first big one for me so the excitement was a little more, but Michigan has been a favorite for me so it’s pretty even.”
247Sports has Ohio State, Michigan, and Notre Dame in the “warm” stance with Mack, but that could be a little misleading according to what he said about the Irish.
“Notre Dame is my home-state school, but that’s not an offer I’m necessarily wanting,” Mack said. “I just haven’t really heard much from them. I am too focused on Ohio State and Michigan.”
It’s safe to say that Michigan and Ohio State are running head to head for Mack’s top spot, but they aren’t the only schools he’s interested in.
“I’d like to get an offer from Michigan State and something from the south,” He said. “I think getting an offer from a southern school will just be better for my recruitment.”
As for the remainder of his recruitment, Mack wasn’t bashful about how Michigan and Ohio State will factor into his future plans.
“Michigan and Ohio State are even for me. Neither of them are my leader, but they are definitely both on top,” He explained. “I hope to make a decision next summer hopefully, before my senior year. I’m going to visit Michigan and Ohio State for games this fall and hopefully a few more.”
It’s always interesting to ask a recruit if they have any “Michigan-centric” comments for readers and fans. Mack’s was simple.
“I’m excited about Michigan! Hands down!”
Now again, none of this is to say that Michigan State isn’t a top school on Mack’s list. As you can clearly see above, he mentions that he wanted an offer from Michigan State and now that he has earned one, we could potentially see his interest level change. Only time will tell.
Nevertheless, there is no doubt in my mind that if both Michigan and Michigan State plays their cards right, one of them could very well gain a commitment from Mack when the time comes.
Written by LBeasley (Lauren Beasley), Sports Contributor for Radio One Detroit
For more of L-Beasley’s (Lauren Beasley) sports news and in-depth sports content, click here.
Michigan State offers 2016 WR Austin Mack, but Michigan and Ohio State remain as strong contenders was originally published on wchbnewsdetroit.com
