One of the best recruits in Ohio and the Midwest for the class of 2011 is Andre "Big Tank" Sturdivant of Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio. SpartanMag.com caught with the impressive prospect last night and got some details on his recruitment.

Last summer Spartanmag.com was able to watch Andre Sturdivant perform at the Michigan State summer camp. Sturdivant was one of the most physically impressive prospects in attendance despite being a year younger than most in attendance.

The past 9 months have seen Sturdivant's stock take off and Michigan State has been one of the teams that has been actively involved in his recruitment during that time. SpartanMag.com asked Sturdivant how things have been going.

"I have 8 offers right now. Michigan State has offered and Ohio State is about to offer me too."

Michigan State has had Sturdivant on campus twice in the past year. In addition to having him at camp last summer, Sturdivant also attended Michigan State's Junior Day earlier this month. SpartanMag.com asked him about his thoughts on Michigan State?

"The camp at Michigan State was great and I had a lot of fun up there," he said. "My top 5 schools right now are Ohio State, USC, Florida State, Michigan State and West Virginia."

One of the most interesting aspects about Sturdivant's recruitment is what position he will play in college. Most recruiting databases list him as a linebacker and that is the position he played last year for the Glenville Tarblooders. However, Sturdivant has a frame that is going to allow him to pack on more muscle and he is already bigger than many defensive linemen in the Big Ten.

"Right now I am 6-foot-3, 260-pounds," Sturdivant said. "I like linebacker, but I can see myself putting a hand down and playing defensive end in college."

Sturdivant is in no hurry to make a decision about where he will play in college. He will be hitting plenty of schools this spring for unofficial visits and plans on going on the Raw Talent Bus Tour that will visit the west coast this summer. The plan is to visit USC, UCLA, Cal, Oregon and Oregon State.

Michigan State is looking to crack into Glenville High School and sign a player from there. Head Coach Mark Dantonio and primary area recruiter Pat Narduzzi would love for the first Glenville Spartan to be a player the caliber of Sturdivant. A strong season in 2010 could go a long way to securing that first Trablooder.

Matt Dorsey's Take:

No school has put as much time into Glenville without landing a player as Michigan State. Part of the reason is due to the fact that the Spartans usually only go after the players Ohio State also covets.

This year it could be interesting as the Buckeyes have other players they are after that play the same positions as recruits like Sturdivant and quarterback Cardale Jones of Glenville.

Michigan State is hoping Ohio State fills its needs elsewhere and the Buckeyes loss ends up being their gain; Ohio State has passed on player like Javon Ringer, Greg Jones and even 2010 signee Skyler Schofner, so anything is possible.


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