Michigan State University Athletics
Early Enrollees Q & A
1/18/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
Donnie Corley speaks to reporters about his decision to attend Michigan State.
EAST LANSING, Mich. â€" Seven of Michigan State's eight early enrollees on the 2016 roster spoke to the media for the first time as Spartans inside the Izzo Family Media Center at Spartan Stadium on Friday.
The eight players will participate in offseason conditioning workouts with the team and participate in spring practice in March and April.
For bios on all of the early enrollees, click here.
LB Joe Bachie (6-2 • 225 • Brook Park, Ohio • Berea-Midpark High School)
On his initial impression of Michigan State…
Well, it's a big campus - I'm still getting used to that. I really like it though because I like the college life, and I like the atmosphere. You're on your own a little bit. I'm going to try and take it all in and have some fun with it.
On how he committed to Michigan State…
I believe I was athletic enough to become a Big Ten football player whether it was at Michigan State or any other school. I never really went to camps, and that's where most people get their stars so I was kind of under the radar a little bit. I had one Big Ten offer so I kind of put all my marbles into one basket with Michigan State, and said ‘if they offer me this is where I'll go.' So when they offered me after the spring ball game, it was special.
On his outstanding combine numbers during Michigan State's high school prospects camp…
I don't think they expected me to run what I ran and jump what I jumped, but not many people expected that at all. I knew I could do it and my dad knew I could do it. When I came here I came in with the mindset that I still had to earn it.
On his impression of Coach Dantonio and the rest of the coaching staff…
Just listening to him and all the other coaches talk you learn a lot, that's what I'm doing right now. I'm just trying to take it all in.
WR Cam Chambers (6-3 • 203 • Sicklerville, N.J. • Timber Creek Regional High School)
On arriving in East Lansing…
I flew right in from San Antonio, Texas. I played in the U.S. Army All-American Game and flew from San Antonio right to East Lansing. I got here Sunday night and had class Monday morning. I'd say the 24 hours from getting off the plane to coming to class, that was pretty cool. It was really fast-paced and exciting, but after that first class, let me know that now it's time to go to work, everything is real. High school is in the past, and now it's time to start my college career.
On the opportunity to get on the field as a true freshman…
I think the opportunity is going to come down to me and how much hard work I put in and how well I take advantage of my opportunity. I could be on the field next year, I could be on the sidelines cheering on my teammates, I could be starting; it's like I could be starting or I could be on the sidelines cheering on my teammates. Either way, I'll do the best I can with it.
On adjusting to the college schedule…
Going to class has been fun. We all roll in packs. If we're not rolling in packs, it's just me and Messiah [deWeaver] walking around campus, going to class. We're in a couple different classes together, so we both sit in class together. Just talking, taking our notes down, making sure each other knows what's going on in class.
On working out with strength and conditioning Coach Ken Mannie...
Coach Mannie, he's amazing. He's the strength and conditioning coach of the year. He knows what he's doing. Just being with him â€" two workouts so far, knowing that whatever he says, whatever he asks you to do, just do it no matter what. He knows what he's doing, obviously. He's built some big time receivers, some receivers of the year, and that's what I want to become. He's built receivers, he's made guys where I want to be. So, just try to listen and learn.
WR/CB Donnie Corley (6-3 • 185 • Detroit, Mich. • Martin Luther King High School)
On late decision to enroll early…
I was going to enroll early, but then I decided not to. So, I kind of got behind on a class. As I was talking to Coach Dantonio and a few schools that I was considering, they were saying that it's a great thing to come here early and be able to play early will help you out a lot. So, then I jumped on the class again and I got it done. It's a great thing to be able to come early.
On amount (eight) of early enrollees…
It means a lot because one of your strongest strengths is the guy next to you. As long as they're getting up here, too, and getting better, that's going to make us better. I like that about us.
On staying in-state to play college football…
One of the main things is being able to have my family come and see me play all the time. I really wanted that to happen. They can come up here, call them whenever I need something - that's what I really like about it. Just being able to play for the state of Michigan. Michigan doesn't really get a lot of credit from other states and stuff, so I like to represent.
On goals this spring…
Being able to compete with the guys, other receivers and stuff. Being able to compete with them, (and) keep my grades up, that's probably one of the main things.
QB Messiah deWeaver (6-4 • 215 • Huber Heights, Ohio • Wayne High School)
On the upperclassmen's biggest piece of advice thus far…
Their big advice has just been get to class. Right now we're just throwing and getting acclimated. It's only January, so we have a lot of time. There is a lot of time to get to know each other. This month of January has really been about trying to condition my body and get my body right. When meetings start I think they'll be a lot more on-field advice given.
On having the availability of a first-class indoor practice facility at Michigan State…
It's really a blessing. In high school you can't go outside in Dayton, Ohio at this time - it's like 20 degrees. So when you have that opportunity to get inside and throw with guys that have been there and who are willing to take me under their wing and get me acclimated it's really great for me.
On whether he has gotten an opportunity to throw the ball around with the Spartan receivers yet…
I've thrown with R.J Shelton, Felton Davis, Donnie Corley and Cam Chambers. We were all throwing the ball around, getting acclimated to the route combinations. Cam Chambers and I were in there last night and the night before. So every day we're just trying to get better.
On his first week in the strength and conditioning program with coach Ken Mannie…
My first impression is he's a roll-your-sleeves-back type of guy. He's a great person and wants to see the best in all his players. So right now, I'm trying to take every word he says and apply it to my life and try and get better and be the best ‘me' I can be. He always preaches that - being the best person you can be.
DE Mufi Hunt (6-6 • 260 • Sandy, Utah • Taylorsville High School)
On his initial impression of Michigan State and East Lansing…
I enjoy it - I really do. I mean the weather is kind of cold, but it's fine for me because I live in Utah. Other than my family being gone, that's probably the only negative. They're going to come every other weekend though if they can. I also have family here, so that will help.
On what he's going to bring to the team immediately…
Honestly, I'm just going to come in and work as hard as I can. Anyway that I can help, that's what I'm going to do. Whether Coach D needs me to pass out water or drinks or something. I know people do the wash for us, but if I need to help do the wash, I will. Whatever needs to be done that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to bring in a great attitude.
On what sold him on Michigan State during his recruiting visit…
I prayed about it, fasted and did some religious things just to help my decision. As far as the football aspect I was so used to seeing Pac-12 players, especially being from the West Coast. I have nothing against the Pac-12 or anything, but I came on my trip and the first person I saw was Shilique Calhoun. I saw him running and I thought ‘wow, he's 6-foot-6 and he's running like that?' it was unbelievable. Then I saw more players, and I thought to myself, ‘what are they eating here?' That was one thing. I also liked the way they taught and coached the players was a lot better than other schools. I also liked the family environment here. Coach D [Dantonio] is a family guy and every coach I met was a family person.
On having to leave his family in Utah…
It was tough, real tough. But I know I have a family in the football team and the coaches. I get closer to them every day. It feels like home out here.
OT Thiyo Lukusa (6-5 • 330 • Traverse City, Mich. • DePaul Catholic High School)
On how the early enrollment came about…
I can only speak on that from myself. I think we all had an idea that we wanted to do it. One guy said he's going to do it and then it was like, ‘Oh, I'm doing it. I'm doing it.' I was planning on doing this. I started taking classes to get prepared for it when I was a sophomore because you had to get your classes out of the way. I was taking junior classes as a sophomore, I took sophomore classes as a freshman and so on. As a junior, I took senior classes. I think after we all figured out that, ‘Hey, I'm not going to be the only one,' it was like ‘Let's do this. Let's get our class in there.' We were getting a little tired of high school, maybe, maybe not. Let's get there and see what we can do.
On offensive line coach Mark Staten developing players…
He is a great teacher. I can't wait to learn from him. Obviously, it would be awesome to be able to play in the NFL, but right now I'm just thinking about what I can do at Michigan State and what I can do to hopefully help the team here. When that time comes for me, whenever it is, I definitely think I'll have a lot to credit to him.
On possibility of playing as a true freshman…
I didn't come here with any expectations, other than the opportunity to work hard and hopefully do my thing. There are guys in the class above me that people don't even talk about who work just as hard and are strong and fast and athletic. It's a competition, and I'm definitely looking to compete. I don't expect to play right away, I just expect to get better as the season nears and goes on.
S Kenney Lyke (6-2 • 185 • Hoffman Estates, Ill. • William Fremd High School)
On coming in with seven other early enrollees…
We definitely learn from each other. We just help each other out and if someone is having a down day we just help and pick them up. There are eight of us, and having all of us here helps a lot.
On his first week as a student on campus…
It's been really exciting for the most part. You just have to get used to it, with class and everything going on. We started to lift yesterday so you have to wake up early and make sure you get your sleep in. It's been a real exciting.
On why he chose to be an early enrollee…
Well, Coach Barnett always told me that the best (players) play. He said that if you work hard enough, and you're the best you'll get your shot. So by me coming in early, that'll give me an advantage to try and be the best.
On a particular skill-set that he is looking to bring to the team…
Like Coach D said earlier, I'm a big hitter. Also, I played a lot of offense this year. So from an offensive standpoint I can run a lot of screen's and catch and run. Athletically I have some range.
On where his big-hitter's mentality comes from…
The big hitting actually comes from my mom. She was always pretty tough on me as a kid and disciplined me pretty well. When I first started playing football she always taught me to attack the gap and stuff like that.
