Malik Vann updates his status after MSU visit
Fairfield, Ohio defensive end Malik Vann is one of the cornerstones in what is an impressive inaugural class for Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell, but the four-star was at Michigan State this past weekend checking out the Spartans.
“I wanted to see if I was right (picking) UC, and then I wanted to see my teammate Josiah (Scott) play,” Vann said. “They laid out everything, how much they wanted me and it was a good day.”
Vann and his mother drove up to East Lansing on Saturday, stayed the night and drove home on Sunday. It was an unofficial visit and gave Vann a chance to re-connect with Scott, a freshman cornerback for the Spartans.
“I talked to him on the field before the game and after the game,” Vann said. “He likes it up there and is adjusting still to the speed of the game. He said playing against Notre Dame was a lot different than playing against the first two opponents.”
The weekend trip to Michigan State did give Vann clarity about his future, and solidified his commitment to the Bearcats.
“It was just not enough for me to re-think my decision,” Vann said. “I am happy with my decision and I’ll be there in January.”
Vann announced his commitment to Cincinnati last April, just a week after declaring a top six that included Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Michigan State.
“They were the right spot for me because all the coaches were recruiting me from the different schools and they all came together at UC,” Vann said.
“I loved Coach (Marcus) Freeman at Purdue and I had been talking to him since my freshman year. Then, Coach (Al) Washington came later from BC. He coached my oldest brother, so that connection was there. And, Coach Fickell, I knew him at Ohio State and loved him at Ohio State. It was just a perfect storm.”
The 6-foot-3, 245-pound Vann has 24 tackles including 11 for loss and three sacks so far in his senior season.