ESPN Midwest recruiting Blog

Posted by Bill Kurelic

Move over Rich Rodriguez and the Michigan Wolverines. All the recent headlines on the recruiting front from the state of Michigan have come out of Ann Arbor. However, on Tuesday the big news took place in East Lansing as Under Armour All-American defensive end William Gholston (Detroit, Mich./Southeastern) committed to Michigan State over scholarship offers from Michigan, Ohio State, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Miami and many others.

Gholston becomes the second in-state star to commit to the Spartans this week. Defensive back Mylan Hicks (Detroit, Mich./Renaissance) got the ball rolling for Spartans coach Mark Dantonio when he selected Michigan State over scholarship offers from Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Purdue, Colorado, Arizona and others.

Those two join another in-state star, ESPNU 150 Watch List linebacker Max Bullough (Traverse City, Mich./St. Francis Catholic), who committed to Michigan State in October of 2008.

Rumors circulated on Monday that ESPNU 150 Watch List quarterback Robert Bolden (Orchard Lake, Mich./St. Mary's) had also committed to the Spartans. Those rumors were unfounded.

"I haven't committed to anyone," Bolden said. "I heard about those rumors, but I don't know where they came from. They aren't true."

However, Bolden said three schools stand out among the 23 he has offers from, and one of the three is Michigan State.

"It's mainly Penn State, Michigan State and Oregon," Bolden said.

In addition to Bolden, there is one other big-time in-state prospect both the Spartans and Wolverines have offered, running back Austin White (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson). If Dantonio can manage to land Bolden, White or both, it would be another huge recruiting boost for the Spartans.

Rodriguez has 14 commitments at this point compared to four for Dantonio. But the Spartans' boss definitely gained a little ground this week with the additions of Gholston and Hicks.

Graham makes two Big Ten stops

Quarterback Taylor Graham (Wheaton, Ill./North) was in Columbus on Sunday working out at Ohio State's advanced camp. The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder showed a strong, accurate arm.

"It was awesome," Graham said. "It was great to get in there and see the facilities and be coached by their staff."

Graham has scholarship offers from Michigan State, Iowa, Wisconsin, UCLA, Arkansas and Colorado.

"I'm looking at all of them," Graham said. "I think they all would be good fits."

In addition to Ohio State's camp, Graham attended Michigan State's camp last week.

Graham, the son of former Ohio State quarterback Kent Graham, is hoping to add a scholarship offer from the Buckeyes soon.