Spartan Football Adds Four Incoming Freshmen to 2006 Recruiting Class

Jan. 13, 2006

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State has signed four incoming freshmen football players to Big Ten Conference Tenders of Financial Aid: offensive lineman Jason Diehl, from Milford Academy in New Berlin, N.Y.; linebacker Eric Gordon, from Travers City (Mich.) West High School; linebacker Josh Rouse, from Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, Pa.; and wide receiver T.J. Williams, from Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy. All four players, who enrolled at Michigan State earlier this week for the beginning of the spring semester, are scheduled to participate in spring practice.

"It's a huge advantage getting these freshmen on campus for the spring semester," fourth-year Spartan head coach John L. Smith said. "They'll be provided a great head start in terms of getting acclimated, not only in the classroom but from a football standpoint as well. By participating in the winter conditioning program and spring practice, they'll understand the physical and mental demands of playing at this level. In addition, they'll be exposed to much of the playbook.

"I truly believe that this will become more of a trend in the future. More and more high school seniors will attempt to graduate early, so they can get on a college campus in the spring. Freshmen that enroll in college early certainly will have a greater opportunity to get on the field in the fall because they'll already have an entire spring under their belts."

Here are brief bio sketches and comments from Coach Smith on Michigan State's four incoming freshmen, who enrolled for the spring semester:

Jason Diehl (pronounced DEAL)
OL, 6-4, 320
Wynantskill, N.Y. (Milford Academy)

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Ranked among the nation's top 25 prep school prospects by Scout.com (No. 18) and Rivals.com (No. 21) . . . started all 11 games at right guard in 2005 for Coach Bill Chaplick at Milford Academy in New Berlin, N.Y. . . . attended the same prep school that produced former Spartan offensive tackle Stefon Wheeler (2002-05) . . . two-way starter for Coach Tony Fruscio at Troy (N.Y.) High School . . . two-time Class AA all-state selection as a defensive tackle . . . two-time first-team all-area pick by The (Troy) Record . . . recorded 74 tackles (36 solos, 38 assists), including 11 sacks, 11 quarterback hurries and four forced fumbles as a senior . . . named 2003 Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year after registering 86 tackles (33 solos, 53 assists), including 22 for losses with 12 sacks, while helping the Flying Horses to the conference championship and a trip to the Class AA Super Bowl . . . attended Michigan State's 2004 summer football camp . . . runs 4.9 in the 40 . . . born Jan. 9, 1986 . . . majoring in horticulture.

John L. Smith on Jason Diehl:
"Jason Diehl is a big, strong lineman that loves to play football. And he only knows how to play the game one way - the right way. Jason plays the game with great effort and intensity.

"It's crucial getting him in here for the spring semester, so he can participate in spring ball. Jason is physical enough to contribute as a first-year player. It simply depends on how quickly he picks things up."

Eric Gordon
LB, 6-0, 210
Traverse City, Mich. (Traverse City West High School)

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Rated among the nation's top 20 inside linebackers by Rivals.com (No. 12) . . . ranked among the state's preseason top 10 seniors by Rivals.com (No. 4) . . . nominated to play in the 2006 U.S. Army All-American Bowl . . . earned all-state honors from the Associated Press and Detroit Free Press . . . named to The Detroit News Dream Team . . . recorded 124 tackles as a senior, including 21 for losses and five sacks . . . also credited with six forced fumbles and five pass break-ups in 2005 . . . rushed for 950 yards on 108 carries and scored 13 touchdowns as a senior . . . turned in his best all-around performance of the 2005 season in the state playoffs vs. Rockford, registering 12 tackles and gaining 126 yards on 17 carries, including a 53-yard TD run to open the fourth quarter . . . rushed for 110 yards and two TDs on nine attempts vs. Alpena . . . ran for 150 yards and two scores on 17 carries vs. Saginaw Arthur Hill . . scored two rushing TDs vs. Marquette, including a 73-yarder . . . three-year starter for Coach Matt Prisk at Traverse City (Mich.) West High School, helping the Titans to three-straight play-off appearances . . . led the team in tackles (126) and rushing (450 yards) as a junior . . . set school career records for tackles (335), tackles for losses (51) and forced fumbles (10) . . . his prep career totals include 1,400 rushing yards (152 carries) and 23 TDs . . . graduated from Traverse City West with a 3.4 grade-point average . . . attended Michigan State's 2005 summer football camp . . . his grandfather, Don Dohoney (1951-53), played end for Coach Biggie Munn at Michigan State, earning All-America honors in 1953 . . . runs 4.57 in the 40 . . . born Aug. 22, 1987 . . . majoring in accounting.

John L. Smith on Eric Gordon:
"Last summer, Eric Gordon attended our summer camp and committed to us shortly thereafter. Eric is the type of player that really stands out when you watch film because he makes plays all over the field. He's a good all-around athlete that never takes a play off.

"His granddad, Don Dohoney, played end here in the early 1950s and became an All-American. Eric was raised as a Spartan, so he's a great fit for our program.

"It's a great advantage having Eric here for spring ball because with his versatility, he's capable of contributing at several positions: linebacker, bandit and even safety."

Josh Rouse
LB, 6-3, 210
Newtown, Conn. (Valley Forge Military Academy)

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Two-way starter (tight end and linebacker) and captain for Coach Dennis Orlando at Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, Pa. . . . recorded 96 tackles, including 35 for losses with five sacks, while helping Valley Forge to an 8-0 record in 2005 - its first undefeated season in 16 years . . . attended the same prep school that produced former Spartan All-America linebacker Julian Peterson (San Francisco 49ers) . . . two-year lettermen for Coach Ken Roberts at Newtown (Conn.) High School . . . started the first five games of 2004 at quarterback for the Nighthawks before a nagging ankle injury limited his playing time for the remainder of the season . . . sat out four games in 2003 due to transfer rules . . . in less than two full seasons, he completed 40-of-110 passes (.364) for 586 yards and five touchdowns . . . played his freshman and sophomore seasons at Immaculate High School in Danbury, Conn. . . . runs 4.6 in the 40 . . . born Sept. 25, 1986 . . . majoring in general management.

John L. Smith on Josh Rouse:
"Josh Rouse is impressive on film because he runs, he hits and he makes plays. He's a big, rangy kid that still has plenty of room to grow. We really like Josh's upside because he isn't anywhere near reaching his physical potential."

T.J. Williams
WR, 6-2, 185
Tallahassee, Fla. (Fork Union Military Academy)

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Ranked among the nation's top 20 postgraduate prospects by Scout.com (No. 16) . . . played for Coach John Shuman at Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy in 2005 where he caught 22 passes for 478 yards (21.7 avg.) and nine touchdowns . . . also saw action at cornerback in 2005 and intercepted four passes . . . attended the same prep school that produced former Spartan receiver Plaxico Burress (New York Giants) . . . originally signed with Clemson in 2005, coming out of Leon High School in Tallahassee, Fla., where he played for Coach Wade Rollinson . . . participated in the 2004 California-Florida Bowl . . . rated among the nation's top 50 wide receivers by Rivals.com (No. 39) and Collegefootballnews.com (No. 50) . . . ranked among Florida's top 100 seniors by Rivals.com (No. 59) and SuperPrep (No. 79) . . . named to SuperPrep's All-Dixie Team . . . had 37 receptions for 740 yards (20.0 avg.) and 11 TDs as a senior . . . also recorded 23 tackles, three interceptions and 10 pass break-ups in 2004 . . . caught 45 passes for over 1,000 yards and 11 TDs as a junior . . . made 24 tackles and three interceptions in 2003 . . . runs 4.4 in the 40 . . . his brother, Antonio Cromartie, played cornerback at Florida State (2003-05) . . . given name is Tyres Williams Jr. . . . born July 10, 1986 . . . no-preference major.

John L. Smith on T.J. Williams:
"T.J. Williams is a talented skill player, with size and speed. He has good hands, plus he's shown the ability on film to make people miss after making the catch. With one year at prep school, T.J. is a lot more polished football player than your typical freshman."