:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/16460813/20121020_gav_aa1_130.0.jpg)
On Monday, Matt Morrissey, a safety from Adlai Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois, verbally committed to Michigan State today, announcing the decision on Twitter.
I'm officially committed to play football at MSU!!! Couldn't have done it without my family/friends #SpartanFootball pic.twitter.com/hShV0ac2u7
— Matt Morrissey (@MattMo8) July 15, 2013
Morrissey, a three-star rated recruit per Rivals, chooses to play for Sparty over claimed offers from Boston College and Syracuse. Central Michigan, Illinois, Toledo and Western Michigan had also offered. Matt's brother Mike played on the Heights from 2006-10, but his dad Jim was an All Big Ten linebacker for Michigan State.
I'm not at all surprised by this outcome. While BC was just the second major conference school to offer, a Michigan State offer followed soon after. While playing at the same school your older brother played has its appeal, so does following in your father's footsteps. Morrissey would have been a solid addition to the class, but at this point I hope the staff fills other more pressing needs with the few remaining scholarships.
The Eagles also missed out on Briar Woods (Ashburn, Virginia) dual-threat quarterback Trace McSorley, who committed to Vanderbilt over Boston College and Wake Forest, the other finalists for his services. McSorley, a three-star rated QB per Rivals, also claimed offers from Charlotte, UMass, North Carolina, Ohio, Old Dominion, Purdue, Virginia Tech and Western Michigan.
With McSorley and D.J. Gillins (Wisconsin) off the board, I'm interested in seeing whether the staff will bring a second QB into the class. Local prospects Miles Wright (Tabor Academy, Marion, MA) and Stephen Barmore (Southington, CT) may get a look, but I'd rather the staff use the 3-4 remaining scholarships on other immediate needs. Like 3-4 defensive tackles.
Boston College's 2014 recruiting class is up to 21 verbal commitments. The class is currently ranked 20th (Rivals), 28th (247Sports), 28th (ESPN) and 40th (Scout) nationally.