Barrent makes change

West Des Moines (Iowa) Valley four-star offensive lineman David Barrent has switched his commitment from Iowa to Michigan State.

"The first thing we need to say is that we have upmost respect for Kirk Ferentz and the Iowa program," Richard Barrent, David's father said.

"But David came to us and said he was thinking about making a switch, and the more he thought about it the more he kept coming back to Michigan State."

Barrent originally committed to Iowa back on May 3, turning down scholarship offers from Iowa State, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern and Illinois. At the time of his commitment, he indicated the Spartans finished second to the Hawkeyes.

Barrent said he first started to have second thoughts a few weeks back.

"After I committed, about a month or so ago, I started to have some reservations," Barrent said. "Then I opened up to my parents that I was thinking about changing my mind. After lots of talking and thinking, I just decided Michigan State was the better fit for me in the long run.

"I just remember when I went up there on my visit after the Rivals.com Five-Star academy, that I really liked everything about the school. The campus, the engineering school, the coaches, the players were all great."

Michigan State and other schools had kept recruiting Barrent through regular recruiting mailings only, despite his pledge to the Hawkeyes. Barrent called Spartan offensive line coach Dan Roushar on Saturday to talk things over. That talk led to more conversations with the Spartan coaches about where he would fit in.

"We just talked at first in general to see what their thoughts about me fitting in were," Barrent said. "I gave it some thoughts after we talked. Then I called coach Mark Dantonio the next day to tell him I was changing my mind. Every coach I've talked to since all were very excited.

"I think the recruiting class they have coming in played a little factor. It's a lot more secure to know when you have guys that are really talented on track to go there. But for me it was just having a good feeling about Michigan State and how I would fit in there in the long run."

Barrent said he has talked with the Iowa coaches about his decision.

"I talked to them (Monday)," he said. "They weren't happy obviously. They just said that I had to do what's best for me. They left the door open for me to change my mind again, but I don't think that's going to happen. I have great respect for those guys and the program, but I felt this was the best for me."

Richard Barrent said initially distance was a factor in the decision to pick Iowa, but now that's going to be issue at all.

"It will still be for us, but that means mom and dad will just have to make the drive up there," Barrent said. "David knew this was the right place for him, so we couldn't let him miss the opportunity, especially with Michigan State's class filling up."