Scout.com is reporting that Keith Appling committed to Michigan State ($) in a meeting with the MSU coaches this morning. (Note: I’m not a Scout, or Rivals, subscriber.) Appling is Izzo’s first verbal commitment for the class of 2010.
What I know about Appling:
- Somewhere between 6’1″ and 6’3″, 170/175 pounds.
- Rated a 4-star recruit by both Scout and Rivals.
- Apparently a combo guard–more of a slasher now, but projects as a point guard.
- Teammate of 2009 MSU commit Derrick Nix at Pershing High School in Detroit.
- Third-team all-state as a sophomore.
- Detroit News article on Appling by Sam Webb from June.
I’ve updated the Projected Roster page, counting Appling as a point guard. He’ll come in as a freshman during the senior year for Lucas/Allen/Summers (2010-11) and could potentially team with Korie Lucious as starters in the backcourt the following year.
In terms of the overall recruiting situation, Izzo can add two more players to the 2009 class. If he fills both spots, though, that leaves only one more spot after Appling for 2010 (and none if Dahlman were to redshirt this year, which I haven’t seen anything on since March). Seems like Izzo needs a pure wing player in one of those two years to backfill for Allen/Summers.
Anyway, goods news for Spartan fans on a Friday afternoon.
Update: The Detroit News’ Eric Lacy has some more information: Tennessee, Michigan, Oklahoma, Xavier, Cincinnati and Dayton were the other schools that had made offers. Player quote:
“Coach Izzo was jumping up and down, shaking everyone’s hands,” Appling said. “He was ecstatic. “He said they like my ability to not only score the ball, but give it to my teammates.”
Great get, congrats Sparties.
Personally, I’d like to see as much talent as possible in the Big Ten and am sick of seeing in-state kids ending up out of state.
Thanks, Dylan. With Michigan seemingly on the rise on the recruiting trail and Izzo and Beilein running different kinds of systems, I think we’ll start to see more Michigan talent staying in state. Although the Morris/Appling commitments could drive Zeigler out of state.
I don’t think Zeigler will be scared or driven anywhere. If he wants to go out of state he would have regardless of Appling or Darius’ decisions.
You’re the recruiting expert, so let the battle begin. Seems like he and Russell Byrd are the first two guys Izzo and Beilein could end up going head to head for.
[...] If all four 2009 slots were used, there’d be two slots for 2010. (I’m assuming Isaiah Dahlman is not going to do a mid-career redshirt.) One of those slots is filled by the verbal commitment of guard Keith Appling. [...]
[...] In two years, the talent level in the conference looks like it may jump a notch. UMHoops notes that 12 of the 38 top-150 recruits for the class of 2010 who have made verbal commitments are headed to Big Ten schools, led by Ohio State and Illinois. Keith Appling is MSU’s contribution to the dozen early commits. [...]
[...] Junior out of Fort Wayne. Becomes MSU’s second commitment of the 2010 class, joining Keith Appling. [...]