MSU first to offer Cotton

O'Fallon, Ill., athlete Micquell Cotton has watched several of his class of 2014 teammates add scholarship offers over the last few months. On Monday, the 5-foot-10, 180-pounder got in on the action with his first offer, which came from a Big Ten program.

"I just picked up an offer from Michigan State," Cotton reported. "They started talking to me about a month or so ago. I met three of the coaches when they came out to school, but I haven't been up there yet. I will probably take a visit up there soon."

Cotton learned of his offer on Monday from his head coach. He plans to follow up with a phone call to the Michigan State staff later this week, and will look to schedule a visit to East Lansing later this spring. For now, though, he is relieved to have his first offer in-hand.

"Michigan State is my first offer, but I have been talking to other schools lately," Cotton said. "I kind of expected the offer from Michigan State, and I am excited about it."

Among the other schools Cotton has been hearing from are Illinois State, Northern Illinois and Purdue. One factor schools are analyzing with Cotton is where to line him up. He lead his conference as a junior with 11 sacks playing primarily a linebacker role, but his size will necessitate a move to running back or safety in college.

"[Michigan State] really liked how I can play any position on defense and offense," Cotton said. "If I had to choose I would probably pick running back because I have played that my entire life. My running style is more elusive than anything. On defense you have to have a little more size, but I wouldn't mind playing defense or running back."