Another DL Transfer Coming

bobcatbob · Post by **bobcatbob** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 5:29 pm

I was at the Holiday Inn Coaches Corner this morning and the coach mentioned that anther transfer defensive lineman from Michigan State is on the way in the next couple of days. He is another Somoan! This is good news!

Post by **kmax** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 5:34 pm

Wouldn't he have to already be here, or at least already enrolled, since classes started yesterday in order to be eligible to play this year?

It would be nice to have more depth on the D-Line though, so here's hoping it's true.

El_Gato · Post by **El_Gato** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 5:38 pm

Domata Peko, 6-2 310, listed as DT from American Somoa on the Spartan roster.

Is this the guy? Can he play right away?

GOKATS · Post by **GOKATS** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 5:39 pm

That is good news!

My thinking is that maybe McElwain had something to do with it along with the fact that we have other Samoans. They're big and tough!

BobcatLionFan · Post by **BobcatLionFan** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 5:48 pm

GOKATS wrote:That is good news!

My thinking is that maybe McElwain had something to do with it along with the fact that we have other Samoans. They're big and tough!

Is Samoa in Eastern or Western Montana. I don't remember.

MSU01 · Post by **MSU01** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 6:04 pm

kmax wrote:Wouldn't he have to already be here, or at least already enrolled, since classes started yesterday in order to be eligible to play this year?

I believe students can still enroll in classes through the end of this week, so he's not too late. Good news!

wbtfg · Post by **wbtfg** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 6:09 pm

MSU01 wrote:
kmax wrote:Wouldn't he have to already be here, or at least already enrolled, since classes started yesterday in order to be eligible to play this year?
I believe students can still enroll in classes through the end of this week, so he's not too late. Good news!

I know he can enroll as a student, but I don't know if the NCAA has a deadline on when a athlete must be enrolled.

bobcatbob · Post by **bobcatbob** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 6:23 pm

He didn't give any details or the name ofthe person. He did sound like the person would be elgible for this year!

wbtfg · Post by **wbtfg** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 6:34 pm

El_Gato wrote:Domata Peko, 6-2 310, listed as DT from American Somoa on the Spartan roster.

Is this the guy? Can he play right away?

I doubt this is the guys, as he is listed their starting DT for their season opener.

My guess would be David Stanton (6-3 291 DL JR Los Angeles, CA - College of the Canyons). I'm not sure if he's Samoan, but he's from Southern Cal, and he's not listed on the depth chart for this weekend's game.

Michigan State: Notebook

MSU's luck runs out with defensive tackle

Junior David Stanton won't play because of a credits issue, and he'll be sorely missed.

By Dave Dye / The Detroit News

Dale G. Young / The Detroit News

"That is a big letdown," strong safety Eric Smith said of losing David Stanton, above. "He was a guy we were depending on."

Kent State at Michigan State

Kickoff: 12:10 p.m. Saturday, Spartan Stadium

TV / radio: Channel 7 / WXYT 1270

Rankings: Neither team is ranked.

Series: First meeting

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EAST LANSING -- One of the most pleasant surprises in Michigan State's preseason camp quickly turned into the biggest disappointment.

Defensive tackle David Stanton, a junior-college transfer, has been declared ineligible by university officials.

Coach John L. Smith made the announcement Monday during his weekly news conference, five days before the Spartans' opener against Kent State.

"I don't really want to get into it because then I'll really start to cry or will swear, one or the other," Smith said.

Stanton, a transfer from College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, Calif., arrived in East Lansing this summer to begin working out with his new teammates.

He had earned a spot in the playing group up front and appeared capable of making an immediate impact on a defense that sorely lacks playmakers.

When practice opened Aug. 9, Stanton thought he was cleared to play. But that changed a few days ago.

A technicality involving credits during Stanton's first year in junior college led to his ineligibility.

"We never would have recruited him had we not totally expected him to be eligible," Smith said.

Stanton, who is 6-foot-3 and 291 pounds, could try to regain his eligibility to play next season. He was unavailable for comment Monday.

"That is a big letdown," strong safety Eric Smith said of losing Stanton. "He was a guy we were depending on.

"It means somebody behind him is going to have to step up and take his place."

Starting defensive tackles Brandon McKinney and Domata Peko are likely to handle more of the workload.

Bobby Jones, a junior-college transfer, has been moved from defensive end to tackle. The other reserve tackle is sophomore Joe Toth.

Smith said end Clifton Ryan could move inside to tackle if needed.

gtapp · Post by **gtapp** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 7:21 pm

If he is not eligible at that MSU then he would not be eligible at THE MSU.

wbtfg · Post by **wbtfg** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 8:04 pm

gtapp wrote:If he is not eligible at that MSU then he would not be eligible at THE MSU.

Not necessarily...credits may transfer differently to THE MSU than they did to MSU. Also, it may depend on his major, and the requirements of that major for each school.

I'm not even sure if this is the guy that is transferring, but if it is, there may be a way to get him eligible for this fall...we'll just have to wait and see.

OR we could just play him like we did Gatewood, and he'll only have to sit out the first three games next year...

wbtfg · Post by **wbtfg** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 9:42 pm

Here's another article....According to this guy, Stanton was denied admission by MSU, and therefore ineligible. It doesn't say anything about being denied by the NCAA. So if this kid applies to THE MSU and is accepted, it may be possible that he could play. On paper this could be a GREAT pick up, as it sounds like this kid was turning heads in East Lansing. I guess we'll have to wait and see how this shakes out. I'm not going to hold my breath....I remember my mom telling me "If something seems like it is too good to be true, then it probably is."

Not Drew, but defensive tackle David Stanton, a junior-college transfer.
He had been one of Michigan State's most pleasant surprises during training camp and appeared capable of making an immediate impact.

Stanton arrived in East Lansing during the summer and worked out with the team. He had been practicing all along. There was no indication of any problem.

But a few days ago, with the season about a week away, Stanton was denied admission by the university.

The problem involves a technicality involving credits dating back to Stanton's first year in junior college.

It's a signifcant loss for the Spartans, who are looking for some playmakers on defense. Stanton seemed to be just what they need.

It could be a bad omen for the defense and, perhaps, the season.

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 8:29 am

Anyone have any more scoop on this new DL coming in/story? I am really curious if this guy is for sure coming and can play this year? If he can play this year, he sure sounds like he could help shore up the DL in a big way? I sure hope this is true. DL DEPTH DEPTH.

94VegasCat · Post by **94VegasCat** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 10:24 am

Wasn't there somebody on here that is cousins with former coach Mac who is at Michigan State???

Give him a call to confirm all this or hopefully somebody will pipe up.

083190 · Post by **083190** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 3:25 pm

Stanton's eligibilty may be a question after somebody at Michigan State didn't dot the i's and cross the t's. The next several days should answer that question. The Spartan coaches felt he may have NFL ability.

hokeyfine · Post by **hokeyfine** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 4:25 pm

anything?

Cat Grad · Post by **Cat Grad** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 4:31 pm

You mean the Mac that grew up in Mazzola, played for EWU, was Cliff's OC, and is now on the old Idaho coaches staff? Yeah, "somebody" in here posted he's their cousin--somebody please let us know. We need somemore Samoans because we just got to see how nice it was to be stockpiling receivers

GOKATS · Post by **GOKATS** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 4:44 pm

Cat Grad wrote:You mean the Mac that grew up in Mazzola, played for EWU, was Cliff's OC, and is now on the old Idaho coaches staff? Yeah, "somebody" in here posted he's their cousin--somebody please let us know. We need somemore Samoans because we just got to see how nice it was to be stockpiling receivers

I've been at Big Sky all day on business. I'll see if I can get ahold of Mac tonight. Haven't had the opportunity to check Cat contacts, but did get one e-mail from the SID saying the first he heard about it was yesterday & he doesn't know anything further.

Cat Grad · Post by **Cat Grad** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 4:51 pm

Thank you, thank you very much.