Trieu: Future Spartan WR White also a skilled QB
Two days before Walled Lake Western’s opener against Farmington, Michigan State wide receiver commit Cody White found out starting quarterback Jon Tracy was injured and that White would be playing quarterback. White had played quarterback before, but not since his freshman year, so he had to get comfortable again quickly.
“I just started throwing the ball again,” White said. “I hadn’t thrown it in a while, so I had to start throwing it again, getting reps at quarterback and getting ready for today.”
After receiving the opening kickoff, Farmington fumbled on its first play from scrimmage and the Warriors recovered. On Western’s first play from scrimmage, White dropped in a perfect pass to Jack Dodge for a 31-yard touchdown.
On Western’s second drive, White ran a zone read, kept the ball and knifed through the defense for a rushing touchdown. As he crossed the goal line into the north end zone at Michigan Stadium, someone in the stands yelled, “He’ll be there again one day.” When meeting with reporters after the game and being asked about playing in that stadium, White did not take the bait.
“I’ve played up here a couple times already but it is always a great experience,” he said. “It’s getting me ready for a college atmosphere and experience.”
White and Walled Lake Western went on to rout Farmington. It was 41-0 before White and the starters were pulled. In total, White threw four touchdowns and rushed for one in the 41-14 final. Tracy is expected to return next week, but if needed again, White is ready to continue playing quarterback.
Trieu: Here are Michigan’s DT targets with Solomon out
“I could scan the field,” White said. “I was reading the defense, how they were playing and how receivers were running their routes. After the first touchdown, I settled in and everything started running smoothly.”
In the offseason, White was impressive at Michigan State’s Spartan Elite Camp as well as in 7-on-7 competition with his team, giving Spartan fans excitement about his future as a wide receiver. After seeing him throw the ball the way he did Thursday night, the question on the minds of many afterward was: Would Mark Dantonio install some trick plays to allow White to use this arm talent that has suddenly been discovered?
“Maybe after sees some of the throws I made today,” said White.
Miami DB schedules Spartan official
Miami (Fla.) Carol City defensive back Naytron Culpepper is beginning to set his official visits and Michigan State is one of them.
"I scheduled Michigan State vs. Ohio State (for Nov. 19), and I'm locking in South Carolina for the Texas A&M game soon," Culpepper told Scout’s Corey Bender.
He also reported that South Carolina is currently his leader, but will not make a decision until after his official visits, which will give the Spartans and other schools time to close the gap.
Rison scores twice in defeat
Ann Arbor Skyline fell 35-19 against Shaker Heights (Ohio) on Thursday night. Michigan State commit Hunter Rison scored two of the team’s three touchdowns, both on pass receptions.
Skyline takes on Okemos next week.
More information
Allen Trieu began covering the state of Michigan for Scout.com in 2005 and began managing the entire Midwest in 2009. He has been featured on the Big Ten Network on its annual Signing Day Show. His Michigan and Michigan State recruiting columns appear weekly at detroitnews.com.