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#9 Ed Davis | Outside Linebacker | Detroit (Mich.) Southeastern H.S.
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Committed to:
For the second straight year, Detroit Southeastern has sent a linebacker to Michigan State. Ed Davis followed William Gholston to East Lansing with his commitment today.
The Spartans also have former Jungaleer Fred Smith on the roster, but Davis says the decision was not about Gholston, Smith or anyone but himself.
"He (Gholston) influenced it a little, but it was my decision and it's my life," Davis said at the Sound Mind, Sound Body media day.
He also said he chose the Spartans over his other contenders: Michigan, Iowa, Cincinnati, and Syracuse.
While the other recruits they have pulled in may not have made Davis' choice for him, he did say the current Spartan linebacking corps, particularly All-American Greg Jones did.
"I think I have a chance to be like that. I want to go to the league, and get a good degree."
And although he did announce until today, Davis says he has known for a little while now that he would end up in green and white.
"About three weeks ago," he responded when asked when he had his mind made up. "I was thinking about which schools I like and which school I can see myself going to, and Michigan State had it all for me. The way they showed my parents love and were all prepared for us...they showed us a lot of love."
Of course, when Davis broke the news to the MSU staff, they were quite pleased.
"They were very excited. I talked to everyone except Coach Dantonio. He was out, but they're very excited."
Where We've Seen Him: Game Tape, Highlight Tape, In-Person at camp, In-Person Games
Analysis: Davis is one of the most fluid linebackers I've seen this year. He's also one of the best in coverage. He can move and change directions like a safety, and he also has good ball skills. He also has shown the ability to rush the passer off the edge. He's simply a great athlete. Now, at 208-lbs, he will have to get bigger and stronger. I think physicality is one area he can improve on. He's not necessarily a violent striker as a linebacker, but he does offer a ton of versatility and his pass coverage skills are rare for a linebacker.
Verdict: As it stands, I see him at the "star" position for MSU. If they make a full switch to the 3-4, I see him as an edge guy who can rush the passer and drop into coverage. He will have to add weight to do that, but at 6'3, he has the frame to do that. I believe he will take a redshirt year, be a special teams demon his first year and compete for a starting spot after that. The Spartans pulled in a great all around athlete.