Trieu: Spartans still an option for one-time Michigan State commit Alante Brown
At one time, Alante Brown was committed to Michigan State, but just before the early signing period, that changed and Brown suddenly re-opened his recruitment.
He wound up signing with Texas Tech, but did not enroll and is now taking a prep school year at St. Thomas More in Oakdale, Connecticut.
"I'm kind of expecting to learn from my mistakes," Brown said at the time, "and being able to be blessed with a second chance and miss an opportunity, but regain one is big to me."
Brown is off to a strong start at St. Thomas More. The former Chicago Simeon quarterback has been making big plays as a receiver and return man two games into this season. That has brought on a rush of new interest. Michigan State, who has steadily remained in contact, is a real option for Brown.
He reported that he is looking to set up an official visit with the Spartans, which would likely take place after his season is completed. The Spartan staff is also expected to be in Connecticut to check in on him during their upcoming bye week.
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St. Thomas More has a talented squad with several college prospects on commits on their roster, but Brown’s special athleticism was noted immediately on the first day of practice.
“His talent was something that jumped right out,” St. Thomas More head coach Jason Manson said. “I haven’t seen anybody at the high school level quite as elusive and fluid in a while. His talent jumped right out, but the bigger thing was, after a couple of days, his leadership has been undeniable. He has been a leader since he has been here are far as work ethic and leading by example. He is looking for no shortcuts or handouts.”
Despite not having experience at receiver in high school, Brown showed extremely natural pass-catching skills in 7-on-7 tournaments. With the pads on, his elusiveness and speed made him a serious running threat from the quarterback position. All that combined is a player who can score from anywhere on the field.
“He brings us versatility,” Manson said. “He can line up outside at receiver, in the backfield and he’s been able to get us a home run from both spots. We can throw it to him out wide and he can make guys miss and go the distance. On special teams, in our second game, he returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown.”
A lot of schools wanted to see Brown’s first two games. With that type of playmaking ability already evident in the highlights from those games, Manson said his phone and Brown’s phone have been busy.
“I want to say every hour there’s another (direct message), text message or phone call,” Manson said.
St. Thomas More has a bye this week and Brown will take an unofficial visit to Temple on Saturday.
Blue chip underclassmen land offers
Michigan State offered Hopewell (Va.) four-star junior athlete TreVeyon Henderson this week. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Henderson could play defensive back or receiver in college. Clemson, Michigan, Oklahoma, Penn State and Virginia Tech have also offered.
Although he is only a sophomore, Leawood (Kan.) Blue Valley North’s Dasan McCullough is already considered a national recruit and is ranked in the top 100 prospects in his class by 247Sports.
Michigan State offered McCullough on Wednesday. At 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, he could grow into a number of positions, although outside linebacker appears most likely at this point in time. The son of Kansas City Chiefs running backs coach Deland McCullough, he now has 18 scholarship offers.
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Allen Trieu covers Midwest football recruiting for 247Sports. He has been featured on the Big Ten Network on its annual Signing Day Show. His Michigan and Michigan State recruiting columns appear weekly at detroitnews.com.