Michigan

Jay Johnson, Mel Tucker pull off unprecedented recruiting feat at Michigan State

Published

2 years ago

December 17, 2022

Jay Johnson, Mel Tucker pull off unprecedented recruiting feat at Michigan State

Michigan State has yielded optimistic outcomes on the recruiting path during the last week, however maybe no improvement was extra spectacular or as very important because the Spartans touchdown four-star West Linn (Ore.) Excessive Faculty quarterback Sam Leavitt.

Thought of the highest participant from the state of Oregon, the No. 373 general participant and No. 23 quarterback in his class in 247Sports’ composite rankings, Leavitt was a extremely sought-after prospect. The four-star had been dedicated to Washington State since early July, and was additionally being pursued by a Washington program that’s coming off a 10-2 common season.

However, the Spartans’ obtained their man on the recreation’s most vital place for the 2023 class.

Recruiting is a vastly vital a part of school teaching, and that significance is simply amplified on the quarterback place. In plenty of circumstances, a workforce can solely be pretty much as good or go so far as their beginning quarterback can lead them.

Whereas each Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker and offensive coordinator Jay Johnson have come underneath scrutiny following the Spartans’ disappointing 5-7 marketing campaign in 2022, the pair have confirmed recruiting talents not often earlier than seen in East Lansing.

Through the 2021 recruiting cycle, Michigan State landed one other four-star signal-caller in California native Katin Houser, who was ranked No. 215 general and the No. 14 quarterback in his class.

Scroll to Proceed

By touchdown Houser and Leavitt in back-to-back lessons, Johnson and Tucker achieved one thing Michigan State has by no means completed within the prior 23 recruiting cycles that the 247Composite metrics have existed for. Based on Spartan Tailgate’s Corey Robinson, Houser and Leavitt are the primary two composite four-star quarterbacks to decide to the Spartans in back-to-back years within the 247Sports period, which dates again to the 2000 class.

The final pair of four-star (or higher) quarterbacks that Michigan State landed in back-to-back years was Jeff Smoker (Class of 2000) and Aaron Alexander (2001), however the 247Composite didn’t exist at the moment.

The Spartans have come shut on a couple of different events of touchdown two composite four-star QBs in two years. MSU signed Tyler O’Connor in 2012 and Damion Terry in 2013 — Terry was a composite four-star, however O’Connor was solely thought-about a four-star by 247Sports, and his rankings by Rivals and ESPN stored him as a composite three-star.

Former Michigan State quarterback Brian Lewerke (Class of 2015) was a composite three-star, however was near incomes a fourth star, having been ranked contained in the High 400. He was adopted by Messiah deWeaver, a four-star that the Spartans signed in 2016.

It is good to see Michigan State had high quality expertise and depth to its quarterback room, and the longer term is vibrant with Houser and Leavitt. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see if Hauser is ready to push and challenger incumbent starter Payton Thorne and backup Noah Kim this spring.

Personally, I perceive the fanbase’s frustration with Thorne this season, however I feel the redshirt junior obtained a bit an excessive amount of of a foul rap this season. Thorne didn’t take the steps ahead we anticipated for a second-year starter, however the quarterback was tasked with orchestrating an offense devoid of a constant operating menace with out Kenneth Walker, and with a beneath common offensive line.

With that mentioned, Thorne wasn’t capable of elevate Michigan State’s restricted offense, and perhaps one of many youthful, extra physically-gifted prospects can try this. Thorne is a strong possibility for the Spartans in 2023, but when Houser takes strides this spring, perhaps the teaching employees will take a swing on him come September.

Source link

Click to comment

Michigan

Soles 4 Vets Memorial 5K raises funds for Michigan veterans' footwear

Published

12 hours ago

June 1, 2025

Press Room

Soles 4 Vets Memorial 5K raises funds for Michigan veterans' footwear

More than 100 runners participated in the third annual Soles 4 Vets Memorial 5K at Granger Meadows Park in Lansing to support veterans across Michigan.

More than 100 runners participated in the third annual Soles for Vets Memorial 5K at Granger Meadows Park in Lansing to support veterans across Michigan.
The event raises funds for Footprints of Michigan, which provides free shoes to veterans, and the organizer, Geronimo Lerma, emphasized the growing impact and community support for the cause.
Watch video below to learn more about how the “Sole Train” bus helps veterans in need and hear personal stories from participants, including a veteran who benefited from the program.

The event raises money for Footprints of Michigan, an organization that provides free shoes to veterans throughout the state.

WATCH VIDEO

Soles 4 Vets Memorial 5K raises funds for Michigan veterans’ footwear

Geronimo Lerma, executive director of Footprints of Michigan, highlighted the growing impact of the annual fundraiser.

“It’s a wonderful event that grows every year to see the people come out and support not just veterans, but the program itself. We travel all over the state of Michigan to help as many as we can yearly, so it helps out tremendously,” Lerma said.

The organization operates what they call the “Sole Train” bus, which travels across Michigan distributing shoes to veterans in need.

Roni Perkins, a veteran who participated in the race, shared how the program has personally benefited her.

“Every Veterans Day, I’m able to come in and pick up a pair of running shoes and then meet a lot of people in the community that are like me – veterans,” Perkins said.

Organizers hope to expand the event next year to assist even more veterans throughout Michigan.

This story was reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Want to see more local news? Visit the FOX47News Website.

Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.

Select from these options: Neighborhood News, Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines, and Daily Forecasts.

Like us on Facebook

Source link

Michigan

Ready to cast off for summer? Where to boat across Michigan in 2025

Published

1 day ago

May 31, 2025

Press Room

Ready to cast off for summer? Where to boat across Michigan in 2025

Boating is a popular summertime activity in Michigan.
The state’s expansive waterways include inland lakes and rivers and four of the Great Lakes.

Summer boating season in Michigan is getting underway, and boaters are already hitting the water.

A day out on clear, sparkling waters with loved ones offers a perfect summer getaway for Michigan boaters. The state is a boat lover’s paradise, boasting four of the Great Lakes and 11,000 inland lakes, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

“In Michigan, you are never more than 6 miles away from a lake, river or stream, so you never have to travel far to find a boaters paradise,” Pure Michigan says.

Here’s what to know.

5 places to tie off your boat and enjoy the day

When the day on the lake is done, consider docking in these areas and checking out nearby cities.

Charlevoix: This northwest Michigan city borders Lake Charlevoix, Round Lake, the Round Lake Channel and Lake Michigan. The Charlevoix City Marina is open for the season and features a boaters’ lounge, floating docks, laundry facilities, a splash pad and restrooms. Nearby, the city features restaurants, hotels, a dog park and gardens.
Detroit: The Motor City runs along an international border at the Detroit River. Among several docking options is the Riverside Marina, with the clubhouse featuring a jacuzzi, heated swimming pool, showers, locker room and laundry facilities. Downtown Detroit and nearby Midtown are packed with restaurants, museums, hotels, parks, theaters, shopping and sports venues.
Holland: Holland borders Lake Macatawa and the Macatawa River, flowing toward Lake Michigan. Docking includes the Yacht Basin Marina, with a conference center and vacation rental units. The tourist town with Dutch heritage features tulip gardens, restaurants, a lighthouse, Dutch Village, museums, hotels and state parks.
Higgins Lake State Park: North and South Higgins Lake State Park near Roscommon in northern Michigan are on Higgins Lake. The state parks provide boat launches, cabins, campgrounds, sandy beaches, a picnic area and hiking trails.
Saginaw Bay: Along the bay on Lake Huron, cities in the thumb and central Michigan offer docking, including Bay City, Caseville, Au Gres and Linwood, among others. The region offers fishing, restaurants, parks, shopping and summer festivals, with Saginaw on the Saginaw River, and Frankenmuth short a drive farther inland.

6 places to boat this summer in Michigan

Here are six places to boat on in Michigan, according to Pure Michigan:

Great Lakes: Enjoy boating on the vast waters of four Great Lakes bordering Michigan, Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan and Lake Superior.
Lake Leelanau in Leland: This lake is split into two sections, North and South Lake Leelanau, featuring clear waters and a natural habitat of nearly 9,000 acres. Boaters can enjoy wildlife spotting and recreation, with nearby restaurants and vineyards for dining.
Lake St. Clair in southeast Michigan: This popular metro Detroit lake connects Lake Erie, the Detroit River and Lake Huron. Lake St. Clair sees 3,000 freighters go through its shipping canal, and 150,000 boats registered in the area for recreation.
Grand Lake in Alpena: In northeast Michigan, this over 8,900-acre lake features several small islands. The nearby Besser Museum for northeast Michigan highlights the region’s wooden sailing and motorized boats.
Gull Lake in Battle Creek: This lake in southwest Michigan offers regular sailboat racing with a yacht club, scuba diving, homes and cottages along the shores and a fishery.
Torch Lake resembles the Caribbean in its deep, multi-tone color. At 18 miles in length, Torch is Michigan’s longest inland lake. Its sand bars are so legendary that musician Kid Rock wrote a song about them. Torch also is the state’s deepest lake. The village of Alden, on the lake’s southeast curve, boasts one of the few public beaches.

Glide along the ‘Inland Waterway’

Michigan’s “Inland Waterway” cuts across the tip of the mitten, starting north of Petoskey and ending at Cheboygan.

Michigan’s longest chain of rivers and lakes covers nearly 40 miles, including Pickerel Lake and Crooked Lake, the Crooked River, Burt Lake, the Indian River, Mullett Lake, the Cheboygan River, and finally into Lake Huron.

The water trails connect seven state parks; numerous campgrounds, day-use parks, and resorts; 20 Little Traverse Conservancy Nature Preserves, and six communities.

How can you register your boat in Michigan?

Boats must be registered and you can do so through the Michigan Department of State. Some boats also require a title if they’re 20 feet long or longer, or have a permanently affixed engine.

Registration is good for three years, expiring on March 31 of the third year, according to the state. Boat owners can renew online, via mail, at a self-service station or in-person at your local Secretary of State office.

What should you know before you go?

Check with your local boating access site for hours and rules. Most state-sponsored sites are closed from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., says the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Life jackets must be on board and the type and number depend on the type of boat you have and how many people are on board, the Michigan DNR says.

If you plan to take a pet, check whether pets are allowed and how to handle them. In Michigan, pets must be kept on a 6-foot leash and under the owner’s immediate control and you must clean up after them and prevent them from interacting with wildlife.

If you plan to fish or water ski, be sure to check local regulations, some inland lakes prohibit certain activities.

Can you take alcohol onboard your boat?

It’s illegal to operate a boat in Michigan while under the influence of alcohol, according to state law. Boaters with a 0.08% blood alcohol content or higher could face civil penalties like fines and imprisonment.

Some boating access sites in Michigan ban drinking alcohol, the Michigan DNR said.

Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.

Source link