'09 MI OC Blake Treadwell (Michigan State Verbal)

[GoRU]

'09 MI OC Blake Treadwell

Offensive center
East Lansing (MI) East Lansing

Ht: 6-foot-3
Wt: 261 lbs
Class: 2009 (High School)

Greenandwhite.com: MSU adds East Lansing lineman to 2009 class

Blake Treadwell's college decision might seem obvious.

But the East Lansing High junior's verbal commitment to Michigan State and coach Mark Dantonio on Sunday came a month after he first received a scholarship offer from the Spartans.

He even made a list of pros and cons about taking that offer - none of which included the chance to play under his father Don Treadwell, MSU's offensive coordinator.

"I always wanted to play in the Big Ten. That was my goal since I was a young kid because it's one of the best conferences," Blake Treadwell said. "(My dad) said just really follow your heart. MSU is in my heart."

The 6-foot-3, 273-pound lineman was a two-way starter for the Trojans last fall. Playing left tackle, he was the top blocker for an offense that averaged 341 yards and 27.4 points per game in advancing to the Division 3 state semifinals. He also was a dominating defensive lineman, switching between nose guard and end, and for his play on both sides earned a Division 3-4 all-state special mention.

He is the Spartans' sixth verbal commitment for 2009, a class already featuring arguably the state's top two junior running backs and best quarterback.

East Lansing coach Bill Feraco has believed since last summer that Treadwell would emerge into such a target. More interest may still come, but Treadwell said other schools backed off some after MSU started during the football season and Treadwell reciprocated interest.

Still, Treadwell ending up in the program for which his dad coaches was not a sure thing.

"It was hardly a formality," Feraco said. "(MSU) was extremely thorough. They evaluated him very, very closely. In fact, it was all based on performance, as it should be."

Treadwell has gained about 10 pounds since the end of last season. He also ran a 4.9-second 40-yard dash two weeks ago, a good time for a player his size.

"The strides he made offensively by the end of the year ... were just quality. He did some things in the latter stages of the season in the run game and the pass protection that were just excellent," Feraco said.

Treadwell said he's open to playing on either side of the ball, but likes defense better because "you get to hit somebody," he said, admitting some of that mentality might have been brewed from being part of a coaching family.

"I always had that when I was a kid."

[HotMic]

Scout (FREE)

3/17

From the MSU site.

Treadwell, an all-state honorable mention last season as a junior, could project to either side of the football but most scouts view him as an offensive line prospect.
Continued...

[wadc45]

The Hulk: East Lansing's Blake Treadwell | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

RASHAUN RUCKER / DFP

About this shoot

Not a whole lot fazes East Lansing’s Blake Treadwell.

First, the offensive lineman was told he was going to be spray-painted green to look like The Incredible Hulk.

No problem for the 6-foot-3, 270-pound offensive lineman.

Continued...

August 24, 2008

Base of operations: Lynn C. Adams Stadium.

Other aliases: The Big Man.

Superhero category: Offensive lineman.

Place of origin: Youngstown, Ohio.

Known relatives: Father Don Treadwell, who is the offensive coordinator at Michigan State. Mother Lola and siblings Spencer, 15, and Whitney, 22.

Continued...

[wadc45]

Football stars talk about recruiting process | detnews.com | The Detroit News

8. Blake Treadwell

Position: OT/DT

Ht./Wt.: 6-3/270

High school: East Lansing

College: Michigan State

Best experience: It was on my official visit to State. Just meeting coach (Mark) Dantonio. And they feed you pretty good, too. I love to eat.

Worst experience: The pressure at first. After the (junior) season I didn't know if I would get a scholarship. When State offered (March 2008) I felt better.

Would you like to see an early signing period? Yes. If you know what you want, get it done.

Would you have signed early? Yes

Why not U-M? I can't get into that. Michigan State is three minutes away from my house. I've moved 10 times in my life so I like going some place close.