MacLean gets a good vibe from Michigan State

Grand Blanc, Mich., linebacker Luke MacLean last visited Michigan State for the Spartans last-second win over Wisconsin in the fall. He was back in East Lansing on Saturday to attend the Spartans' junior day.

"It was a really good visit overall," MacLean said. "I got to see the academic part of it, which I had not seen yet. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

"It was really good catching up with the coaches. I got to spend a lot of time with [Pat] Narduzzi, the defensive coordinator, and my recruiting coach. They told me to come back really soon, maybe within this next week, when Coach [Mark] Dantonio is there because they said he wanted to talk to me. I'm excited for that."

MacLean plans to stay in communication throughout the week with Michigan State coaches to plan a return to campus. The 6-3, 233-pound prospect has the ability to play either linebacker or defensive end at the next level, and received strong feedback on their view of his potential during yesterday's visit.

"I think, like every school, they like how I am versatile," MacLean said. "I think they see me mainly as a pass rusher, but they do like the fact that I can play both. I guess we'll see what position I grow into and how I fit in there."

The recruiting process has picked up significantly for MacLean in the last few weeks. Besides the encouraging words he heard from Michigan State this weekend, MacLean has received strong feedback from Georgia Tech coaches in recent weeks as well and plans to make an unofficial visit to their campus the weekend of March 10.

"Last night in the mail I got six handwritten letters from their coaching staff," MacLean said. "They really, really like me and really see me fitting perfectly into their program. All the coaches have taken a good liking to me. I went down there once, which I think they liked and it showed that I was interested."

Cincinnati became the second Division I school and first BCS program to offer last weekend. He also has been in close contact with Iowa assistant coach Erik Campbell and Syracuse assistant Tyrone Wheatley in recent weeks.