Another star a-Rison for Spartans

Ann Arbor (Mich.) Skyline 2017 wide receiver Hunter Rison is the son of former NFL great Andre Rison, but with his first scholarship offer in-hand the younger Rison is already starting to make his own name.

Rison's first offer came from his father's alma mater, Michigan State, during a visit to East Lansing on Thursday.

"We had planned it early last week," Rison said. "I let Coach (Terry) Samuel know and we went up there with a few of my teammates, my dad and my head coach, (Chan) Brock.

"We were just watching practice and going around the facilities. Once practice hit Coach (Curtis) Blackwell called me onto the field to talk with (Mark) Dantonio. He is a real down-to-earth person. He got on about my film and what he liked, then he told me he was going to offer me."

A 6-foot, 188-pound sophomore, Rison has been receiving college interest for several months. Landing his first offer, however, was an experience he will not soon forget.

"I didn't know how to react, really," he said. "It's something you only think about - first offer, from my dad's school … that would be crazy. Then, the moment hits and you're just, 'Wow, this is really happening.' It was kind of a surreal moment, but I am very grateful for it."

When it comes to evaluating Michigan State, Rison has a great resource in his father, who played for the Spartans in the late 1980s.

"He just tells me, 'If you want to go to a great program, Michigan State is the place to be,' " Rison said. "He knows everybody and knows how they run that program, and they run it with integrity and honor."

National Signing Day for the 2017 class is nearly two years away, but when the choice of his college career does arrive, Rison's father is going to leave that decision to his son.

"He doesn't push me toward any school," Rison said. "He says, 'I'll support you in any decision you make. Even if you go in the blue and yellow - Michigan - I'm still going to be there.' "

The early offer, combined with the connections and impressions he has already gathered on the program, has set Michigan State as the early team to beat in Rison's recruitment.

"I like it when someone can take a shot on you, and not just because I am a legacy," Rison said. "That was my first offer and it takes a lot to get somebody (to give you) your first offer. Taking a shot on me and believing that I can progress and be what they expect me to be, that goes a long way with me. I'd guess they are the team to beat right now."

With two years still remaining in his recruitment, though, Rison has more schools he would like to check out.

"I plan to go to Alabama, see one of their spring practices and talk to Bobby Williams up there," Rison said. "I plan to go to Michigan one more time and actually see the full school. We only got to see the practice the last time, so I plan on going back up there during spring break."

Rison transferred to Skyline High this past winter after starting his prep career at Basha High in Chandler, Ariz. He recorded around 40 receptions for 500 yards and six touchdowns for Basha as a sophomore.

Click Here to view this Link.