Menu
  • Land of 10 Home
  • Football
    • Football News
    • 2017 Schedule
  • Recruiting
    • 2018 Recruits
    • Recruiting Articles
  • Basketball
    • Basketball Articles
    • 2017 Basketball Schedule
  • Big Ten West
    • Illinois
    • Iowa
    • Minnesota
    • Nebraska
    • Northwestern
    • Purdue
    • Wisconsin
  • Big Ten East
    • Indiana
    • Maryland
    • Michigan
    • Michigan State
    • Ohio State
    • Penn State
    • Rutgers
  • Big Ten News
  • Big Ten
    • All Big Ten News
    • Illinois Fighting Illini
    • Indiana Hoosiers
    • Iowa Hawkeyes
    • Maryland Terrapins
    • Michigan Wolverines
    • Michigan State Spartans
    • Minnesota Golden Gophers
    • Nebraska Cornhuskers
    • Northwestern Wildcats
    • Ohio State Buckeyes
    • Penn State Nittany Lions
    • Purdue Boilermakers
    • Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    • Wisconsin Badgers
  • ACC
    • All ACC News
    • Boston College Eagles
    • Clemson Tigers
    • Duke Blue Devils
    • Florida State Seminoles
    • Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
    • Louisville Cardinals
    • Miami Hurricanes
    • NC State Wolfpack
    • North Carolina Tar Heels
    • Notre Dame Fighting Irish
    • Pitt Panthers
    • Syracuse Orange
    • Virginia Cavaliers
    • Virginia Tech Hokies
    • Wake Forest Demon Deacons
  • Big 12
    • All Big 12 News
    • Baylor Bears
    • Iowa State Cyclones
    • Kansas Jayhawks
    • Kansas State Wildcats
    • Oklahoma Sooners
    • Oklahoma State Cowboys
    • TCU Horned Frogs
    • Texas Longhorns
    • Texas Tech Red Raiders
    • West Virginia Mountaineers
  • Pac-12
    • All Pac-12 News
    • Arizona Wildcats
    • Arizona State Sun Devils
    • Cal Golden Bears
    • Colorado Buffaloes
    • Oregon Ducks
    • Oregon State Beavers
    • Stanford Cardinal
    • UCLA Bruins
    • USC Trojans
    • Utah Utes
    • Washington Huskies
    • Washington State Cougars
  • SEC
    • All SEC News
    • Alabama Crimson Tide
    • Arkansas Razorbacks
    • Auburn Tigers
    • Florida Gators
    • Georgia Bulldogs
    • Kentucky Wildcats
    • LSU Tigers
    • Ole Miss Rebels
    • Mississippi State Bulldogs
    • Missouri Tigers
    • South Carolina Gamecocks
    • Tennessee Volunteers
    • Texas A&M Aggies
    • Vanderbilt Commodores

Sparty Onlooker: QB Tadas Tatarunas developing strong relationship with Michigan State

Mark Dantonio
Stacey Revere/Getty Images
Luke Srodulski
Luke Srodulski
@lsrodulski
Posted 2 years ago

On the banks of the Red Cedar, recruiting never stops. We’re here every step of the way to keep you moving along with it.


Two weeks ago, Michigan State co-offensive coordinator Jim Bollman was talking to 2018 Mentor (Ohio) quarterback Tadas Tatarunas on the phone about his studies.

Bollman asked about the junior’s classes. Tatarunas told him AP Spanish had been challenging. Bollman regularly calls before Tatarunas’ games, so this was a typical conversation. Up until Spartans coach Mark Dantonio got on the line.

“¿Qué pasa?” Dantonio said, which translates to “What’s up?”

From there, they discussed Tatarunas’ season and how he had been playing. With a bye coming up, Dantonio said he’d be watching film.

“He’s a really awesome guy,” Tatarunas said of Dantonio. “He just told me just have fun and do what I usually do. He just told me they’re going to recruit me.”

He wasn’t lying. Whether it’s Bollman or quarterbacks coach Brad Salem or co-offensive coordinator Dave Warner, Tatarunas hears from the staff “daily.” He hasn’t received feedback on his film yet, but he said he’s focused on the season and letting the process play out.

He’s thrown for 683 yards and seven touchdowns over four games. He tries to model himself after the style of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. His team is 1-3, largely because it has faced one of the toughest schedules in Ohio.

Michigan State continues to be the team pursuing Tatarunas the hardest. He does not have any offers yet, but he has the Spartans’ attention, and the feeling is mutual.

“I’m very impressed with Michigan State,” he said. “They’ve been sending me letters it seems like every day … They’ve shown me a lot of love, and I just love hearing from them.”

Tatarunas visited East Lansing for a camp, where his performance sent his stock soaring. He’ll be back for a visit when Michigan State hosts Northwestern for its Oct. 15 homecoming game.

By that time he may have picked up offers from the Spartans or other programs. He’s been told that midseason is when he could start hearing that news. For now, he understands how early it is and isn’t limiting his options.

“I don’t really have a top list,” Tatarunas said. “I love all the Big Ten schools. I love Miami and those MAC schools, and then of course the ACC schools. I don’t really have a list. My favorite schools are of course the schools that show me interest back.”

That would make Michigan State a favorite.

The spirit sucker

Or psyche smasher, or something like that. Jackson Carman went with “soul collector.”

The Soul Collector ☠✊? pic.twitter.com/1XJHDUfyPe

— Jackson Carman (@Jackson_Carman) September 16, 2016

It’s tough to argue with that assessment of his work — partially because it looks pretty accurate, partially because he might do it to you if you contradict him. You can see the referee didn’t want to get involved.

The 5-star Fairfield (Ohio) tackle has a Michigan State offer, but he also holds offers from Clemson, Michigan, Ohio State, USC and a host of others. You can see why.

Unfortunately for the rest of the state, the 6-foot-6 Carman is only a junior, so he’ll be roughing up defensive linemen for quite some time.

Spartans recruits in South Bend

Shout out to 247Sports’ Tom Loy, who did the legwork and put together a massive list of visitors for Michigan State’s game against Notre Dame this weekend.

If you’re checking the Irish sideline, look for Carman, the aforementioned mammoth of a young man. He’s expected to be there. So is 4-star DE Leonard Taylor, in whom Michigan State has shown interest.

Emil Ekiyor, a 4-star offensive lineman who has offers from Michigan and Michigan State, is on the list, as is 4-star DE and top MSU target Tyreke Smith.

As you can see, this game could have strong recruiting implications. Notre Dame and Michigan State recruit quite a few of the same players, and these prospects will have the chance to see both programs up close. Granted, they’ll be closer to the Irish, but a Michigan State win could leave a strong impression.

All ratings are from the 247Sports composite rankings unless otherwise noted.

NEXT WATCH: Landof10.com’s Kevin Goheen and Luke Srodulski preview Michigan State at Notre Dame
More from:
Luke Srodulski
  • Michigan State football: Early depth chart projection on defense
  • Michigan State recruiting: Spartans’ top 2019 targets
  • Michigan State football: Early depth chart projection on offense
  • Miles Bridges nets defining moment at Michigan State … so far
  • Miles Bridges shoots Michigan State past Purdue in crucial Big Ten game

Share

Get the latest Michigan State News

Don't miss breaking news!
Sign up for the Land of 10 Michigan State Newsletter!

Michigan State Spartans gear at Fanatics.com

Official Partners
Get Breaking News Fast!
Download the new Land of 10 app.
Get it on the AppStore
Get it on Google Play

Latest Big Ten News

  • Big Ten
    2018 NFL mock draft: Projections for all rounds, 32 teams (4...
  • Big Ten
    NFL mock draft 2018: First-round projections, top players, o...
  • Michigan State
    Michigan State’s 77-year NFL draft streak is in jeopar...
  • 1 hour ago
    Penn State
    2018 NFL Draft: Saquon Barkley featured throughout Kirk Herb...
  • 2 hours ago
    Penn State
    James Franklin surprises Penn State players by showing up to...
  • 2 hours ago
    Wisconsin
    Wisconsin football: Houston transfer Collin Wilder loves Bad...
  • 3 hours ago
    Penn State
    The next Jayson Oweh? Penn State target David Ojabo follows ...
  • 3 hours ago
    Nebraska
    Ex-Nebraska G Tai Webster could be invited to NBA Summer Lea...
  • 4 hours ago
    Big Ten
    NFL mock draft 2018: First-round projections, top players, o...
  • 5 hours ago
    Iowa
    Iowa football: 5 things Hawkeyes defense needs to do before ...

Follow Us

  • © 2018 Cox Media Group
    • About DieHards
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise With Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Visitor Agreement
    • SEC Country
    • DawgNation
    • DieHards
  • Feedback
SportsRadar logo
The Diehards Network