Safety Arjen Colquhoun Is the 10th Michigan State Football Recruit for 2011

Michigan State Football picked up its 10th recruit for 2011 in 6’1″, 180 lb. safety Arjen Colquhoun from Windsor, Ontario.

This is usually the part where I give you Colquhoun’s star rankings, but since he’s still a relative unknown – Scout, the only service who’s ranked him, has him at two stars – I’ll skip that part.

[URL]http://www.theonlycolors.com/2010/7/26/1589071/safety-arjen-colquhoun-is-the-10th

Colquhoun has 40 times ranging from as fast as 4.38 to as slow as 4.55, with a time of 4.42 at MSU’s camp. He’s ran the 400 (quarter-mile) in 48.4, and the 100 in 11.1 (wind-aided, but still). I’d say a time in the mid-4.4’s sounds most plausible to me, but with a greater emphasis on the 100, the 40 time could improve. Training for the 400 (it sounds like his primary event) and the 100 can be completely different animals.

The only other offers Colquhoun received were from Central Michigan and Rice, but other Big 10 teams were interested, and it sounds like this commitment was a case of MSU being the first BCS team to offer – not always a bad thing.

Colquhoun ensures that the Spartans will continue to have at least one Canadian on the roster once J’Michael Deane departs this season.

A few notes on the video: Man Colquhoun looks fast, it’s rare to see offense spelled “offence”, and the opposing team looks like they haven’t met an arm tackle they didn’t like in some highlights, especially the punt return TD.

Arjen Colquhoun from W.F. Herman Secondary School in Windsor, Ontario took a visit to Michigan State today with his family and when he left campus, he was the tenth commitment in the Spartans Class of 2011 haul.
Spartans coach Mark Dantonio offered Colquhoun, who was quick to accept a scholarship from his “dream school.”

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Colquhoun chose Michigan State despite similar offers from Central Michigan, Akron, Cornell, Rice and Northwood. Spartan Tailgate caught with Colquhoun to break down his commit to Michigan State.

Spartan Tailgate: How does it feel to be part of the Michigan State football program and be a Spartan?

Arjen Colquhoun: It feels great. It’s a brotherhood and legacy and a great reputation to have. I’m really proud to be part of it now.

ST: Why did you pick Michigan State over other schools you held offers from?

AC: It’s a great school, the facilities are great, coaches are great, and that at-home feeling you get when you’re there. They make you feel like you want to be part of something they have going on there. I want to be part of that unit, and that is what it feels like when you’re at Michigan State. That is the school I want to be part of.

ST: When you first visited Michigan State for the game against Central Michigan last fall, is that when you started to think it was the place for you?

AC: Yes, being at a Division I football game in American was just crazy. I never thought football was that serious. Once I saw that, I wanted to play in front of 75,000 fans and run out of that tunnel. Now, I’m going to get my chance.

ST: You told me before that Michigan State was your dream school. What made them your dream school growing up?

AC: I just like the way they play. They always fight until the end. Their goal is always to beat Michigan and I always hated Michigan growing up. Michigan was always the top dog and I liked Michigan State because they were the underdog. That is what made it my dream school. I like the way they play. Plus their jerseys are the same colors my high school wears.

ST: How do you think Michigan State going to use you in its offense and defense?

AC: I hope to be part of both sides of the ball. Wherever the coaches need me at. I’ll do whatever it takes to make the team better and win a Rose Bowl.

ST: What would you like major in?

AC: Either law or business.

ST: How do you think your commitment to Michigan State will open up doors and influence other Canadians to play Division I football?

AC: I have opened doors already and will continue to open doors for kids at my high school and in my country. Kids see me as a role model and see that if I can do it from Canada, why can’t they and it’s not impossible. All Windsor kids and all Canada kids can go out and try to accomplish the same thing I was able to accomplish and try to be successful at it.

ST: You have told me that you play with a Canada swagger. What is that?

AC: It’s a chip on your shoulder because being from Canada you always feel like you’re the little brother to America, that the United States is always better than us at everything. It’s showing them that the little brother is growing up now.

ST: What is that Canadian swagger bringing to Michigan State?

AC: I’m going to bring my skills and knowledge and try and come out and be a better person and player.

ST: What was your head coach Harry Lumley’s reaction when you told him?

AC: He started crying and he always knew I could accomplish this even when I didn’t think I could or when I doubted myself. He is very happy and proud of me.

ST: Simon Lazanja (Colquhoun’s Canadian recruiting consultant) helped you get your name out there, how did that help you out?

AC: Simon spent countless hours helping me out, sending out my film, taking me to meet coaches and talking to coaches for me. He helped me out a lot in getting noticed and helped me stay calm. He showed coaches I was a great player and I was able to play great football in the States and helped colleges get interested in me. I want to thank Simon for everything he has ever done for me. I also want to thank my head coach Harry Lumley for believing in me and all the coaches and teachers, family and friends for supporting me throughout the recruiting progress.

[HR][/HR]
Spartan Tailgate also caught up with Lumley and Lazanja to get their thoughts on Colquhoun as a player and what the commitment means to Canada.

ST: When did you known Arjen had the talent to play at the next level?

Lumley: Well, to be honest I’ve had a few kids play Division I football and few go to the pros. I don’t know if I have a sixth sense, but when I saw him he was very fluid. You never know how big a kid’s going to be but I knew his dad because his dad played for me too. So I knew he was going to be a fair size. Arjen is just very fluid and did things very easily, just a kid that is a natural athlete. It was obvious he was going to be a very quick kid, so I told him if he does everything he has to do, like school and working out, that he could one day not only go to college but possibly pro.

ST: How do you think Arjen inspires other players in Canada to play at the next level?

Lumley: Well, we also had O.J. (Oshiomogho Atogwe), he was the franchise player for the St. Louis Rams last year. O.J. kinda opened the door, and I said, ‘Look, every time you do something really well, you not only open the door for your buddies on the team, but your whole city and for Canada. People realize that we have some really good athletes up here.”

[HR][/HR] ST: How and when did you find out about Arjen and when did you know he had talent to play at the next level?

Lazanja: During last year’s football season, Arjen’s coach Harry Lumley got in contact with me. I’ve known Harry for many years. He sent me some game film, gave me the whole run down on him and asked me what I thought. I’ve known a lot of coaches in the states and put the feeler out there. A lot of people said he would be a top recruit if he played in the states. That’s when it all started and I was the guy that got his name out there. Then I sent a bazillion emails and phone calls on his behalf to different coaches I’ve known for years.

Harry to me is like the Bear Bryant of football in Windsor; he has been around forever. Once Harry told me he’s the best he has seen in a long time, and Harry had some great Division I players come through his program, that’s when I knew.

ST: How do you think Arjen’s commitment to Michigan State will open up doors to other players in Canada?

Lazanja: Michigan State has always had roots to Canada. (Mike Cafa) played there, who would have played in the NFL due to injury. Tony Mandarich played there; he is from Oakville, Ontario in Canada. He was the second overall pick on the NFL Draft. Mike Labinjo from Toronto went there; he was a linebacker. Michigan State has always had there Canada kids. Arjen’s commitment will help open up the pipeline even more, that there are some great players up there. Usually they just come up here for the “Big Boys” — the offensive and defense linemen. Arjen shows them that there are skill players up this way. Arjen will open doors for not only Windsor but all of Canada