R250 LB DeBerry recaps MSU visit

The recruitment of Rivals250 linebacker Ricky DeBerry is nearing its end. Last weekend, Michigan State hosted Spartan commit Felton Davis and he brought the Mechanicsville (Va.) Atlee star for an official visit, his fourth.

"It was good," said the 6-foot-2, 231-pound DeBerry. "It was really cold but I really enjoyed myself, talking with the coaches and being around some of the players. Felton and I have been friends for a long time and his dad and my dad went to college together so we got way back. He was telling me that I need to make the best decision for me but he would love to have me up at Michigan State with him."

DeBerry knows the track record of the Spartan coaching staff and he seems to have a lot of confidence in their ability to teach players.

"I just love their defense," he said. "Coach Narduzzi really develops his players and puts them in the best position to be successful. Their front seven is very good. They get guys who don't have high rankings and turn them into first round draft picks.

"Coach Burton is from the Richmond area so we have that connection going," DeBerry said. "I talked to coach Dantonio before and after the game. He was telling me that he really wants me to be a part of the Michigan State program and he feels like I could really fit in well and would be very successful there."

One of the main factors for DeBerry is being able to play linebacker in college. The Michigan State staff assured him they would not try to change his position.

"I got on the scale up there and it said I was 231 pounds," he said. "They said I would be best at middle linebacker. I definitely want to play linebacker so I was very pleased."

Texas A&M, Alabama, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Penn State are still vying for DeBerry's commitment but Michigan State did all it could to move up his list.

"They're definitely up there," said DeBerry. "Michigan State is a good program. I really like the players a lot and have a good connection with the coaches. I've still got one more visit left to really tell where I want to go. Coming off the visit I feel great about things and I really want to spend time talking with my family about everything."

DeBerry is scheduled to announce his commitment on December 19, the last day before his winter break. He does not claim any favorites yet and isn't sure if he'll make more cuts to his list before his commitment but there are some coaches he is more comfortable with than others.

"I feel like I have a great relationship with coach Montgomery, the coaches at Tennessee, a great relationship with coach Sumlin at Texas A&M," he said. "I talk to coach Thompson from Alabama almost every day."

Alabama will get DeBerry's final official visit on November 28 for the Iron Bowl.

In eight games so far this year, DeBerry has amassed 32 tackles, 16.5 tackles for a loss, four and a half sacks, two interceptions, three pass breakups, tow fumble recoveries, and one blocked kick.