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April 30, 2003 Spartan Magazine spoke with a talented local player who will graduate in 2003 last night. This prep standout informed us that it is very possible that he will be running out of the tunnel in Spartan Stadium as a member of the Green and White.Last Spartan Magazine had heard, OL Justin Hartig was headed to Iowa as a preferred walk-on. That did not happen, as Hartig did not have a core language class required by Iowa for admissions, enter Michigan State. Hoyer was easily qualified with a 25 ACT and a solid GPA. Hartig is a player that the Spartans had been in frequent contact with during the summer and early fall. However, he seems to be a victim of the coaching change. Hartig was originally being recruited by Morris Watts. When Bobby Williams was fired, Watts knew the writing was on the wall and did not keep recruiting several local prospects. Hartig turned his attention to fellow Big Ten schools Iowa and Indiana, they were showing him regular attention. When the Iowa situation fell through, Hartig was happy to open things back up and look at MSU. Essentially Iowa?s loss looks to be MSU?s gain in this case. Hartig has recently been in touch with Michigan State and apparently he plans on joining the Spartans this summer as a preferred walk-on. He will have a chance to earn a scholarship. Hartig will be able to report to Michigan State early with the scholarship players. Hartig informed Spartan Magazine that MSU OL Coach Jeff Stoutland was thrilled to hear that Hartig was not heading to Iowa and ?went to bat? to get Hartig admitted to Michigan State. Hartig did say that he plans on going to Ball State as a courtesy to new coach Brady Hoke, but expects to be a Spartan come next fall. Getting a player of Hartig?s ability at this stage of the game is nice recruiting coup for Michigan State. Hartig who is 6?4 285 pounds, was a Division 3 All-State Selection by the Detroit Free Press. He was a 2nd Team Class B All-State Selection by the AP and a Lansing State Journal Offensive Dream Team Selection. Hartig will likely play Center for the Spartans. He also has long snapping experience. With Ottney and Monroe graduating, the 2nd string Center position (behind Chris Morris), will be wide open for 2004. Hartig will likely compete with John Masters for that valuable position. SPARTANMAG?S TAKE: This sounds like a win-win situation. Hartig will be attending a school which is excited to have him and he said he is ?thrilled to have the opportunity to be a Spartan.? Michigan State will likely want Hartig to RS and then battle for a spot in the two deeps, with and a chance to earn a scholarship. The Spartans have shown that they have no problem awarding scholarships to OL who are willing to work hard and become contributors, i.e. Joe Brooks. Hartig has a reputation of being a hard worker in the gym and will likely use that RS year to get bigger and stronger. Hartig is a hungry young man who wants to prove that he deserves a chance to be a scholarship player in the Big Ten. Michigan State and Jeff Stoutland apparently believe Hartig deserves that shot. |
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