MSU quarterback status
The quarterback carousel at MSU has been twisting and turning. The only thing certain is that, barring injury, senior Brian Hoyer should enter the season as the team’s starting quarterback. In case you blinked, here’s what you missed during this wacky week.
Connor Dixon
On Sunday, the sophomore quarterback decided to leave MSU. Dixon battled shoulder injuries last season and was unable to compete in the spring. He would have competed with classmates Nick Foles and Kirk Cousins for the backup position. Dixon came to MSU in 2006 after John L. Smith recruited him from South Park, Pa.
Keith Nichol
On Tuesday, the Lowell, Mich. product decided he would transfer from Oklahoma to MSU almost two years after verbally committing to play for Smith. Transfer rules will force the former four-star recruit to sit out this season, but if all goes as expected, he will compete for the starting spot in 2009, when senior Brian Hoyer graduates.
Nick Foles
On Wednesday, the Austin, Texas native decided to leave MSU after Nichol’s decision to arrive was made official. A competitive roster and the stress of being 1,400 miles away from home helped influence his decision. Foles went to Westlake High School in Texas and was recruited by Dantonio in 2006.
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Foles excited to play closer to home, but leaving MSU is 'going to be really hard'
Nichol
Dixon
Foles
Former MSU quarterback Nick Foles looks at MSU football head coach Mark Dantonio as a second father.
That’s why his decision to leave the school was so difficult.
“From the first time I met (Dantonio) I admired him,” Foles said. “He’s helped me get through this year and all the changes that come from moving from my home in Texas all the way to Michigan State.”
Foles talked to Dantonio late into Wednesday night. When the phone call ended, both sides knew where the other stood.
“We came to an understanding of everything going on,” Foles said. “I told him that it was best for me to be close to home with my family and he granted my release.”
Larry Foles, Nick’s father, credits Dantonio for handling his son’s release in a professional manner.
“He’s a class act and it ended great,” Larry Foles said. “Dantonio is such a charismatic person that you’d go to war for him, and that’s what attracted Nick to MSU.”
Foles’ decision to leave comes in the midst of two other quarterback moves that have left the MSU depth chart laden with eraser marks.
Senior Brian Hoyer and redshirt freshman Kirk Cousins are the only holdovers on the roster from a season ago, as Oklahoma transfer Keith Nichol is ineligible to play next season due to NCAA transfer rules.
The arrival of Nichol helped make Foles’ decision to leave easier, Larry Foles said, adding his son will look into playing somewhere closer to home.
Foles and his father will leave their home in Austin, Texas and return to MSU next weekend to say their good-byes to the coaches and players.
“It’s going to be tough,” Foles said. “I made a lot of friends — saying good-bye to everyone is going to be really hard.”
Published on Thursday, May 22, 2008
Comments
common sense
06/02/08 @ 5:23pm
I can’t believe we’re bending over backwards like this for a turncoat like Nichols. Hopefully his career ends quickly and someone else gets his spot
Green Alum in Waverly
06/04/08 @ 10:29am
I hope the offensive line is really strong this year. Lack of a 3rd string QB makes me nervous.