In the end, the son got what the son wanted.
Culminating a couple of days worth of “drama,” Malik McDowell announced Wednesday morning that he has signed with Michigan State. To further erase any type of doubt as to the five-star defensive end’s football future, McDowell’s father put his Herbie Hancock on the MSU Nation Letter of Intent.
For most of his recent recruitment, McDowell had indicated a desire to become a Spartan. In recent interviews, however, McDowell’s dad made it clear that neither he nor his wife wanted their son playing football in the state of Michigan in general or Michigan State specifically.“I want him out of Michigan. … We’re basically at the same point, his mother and I, as long as he gets away from Michigan we don’t care where he goes. From when we talked Friday he’s coming around because he knows how adamant we are about him not attending Michigan State.
“I don’t have anything bad to say against Michigan State but I don’t think they’re the school for my son. I think the coaches are cool and they’re establishing a good program, but this is my son and I choose to not want him there. If he were to choose Michigan State I don’t know what I would do. It is what it is. I just want my son away from this environment and Michigan. I want him out of here.”
Greg McDowell had wanted his son to sign with either Ohio State or Florida State.
Despite the uncertainty, MSU has officially landed the biggest fish in its 2014 class and a player who has the talent to contribute immediately. The lineman from from Southfield, Mich., is rated as the No. 2 strongside end in the country by Rivals.com and the No. 1 player in the state of Michigan at any position.