Coveted lineman McDowell to sign with Michigan State

2/5/2014
BLADE STAFF
Teammates and schoolmates react after Malik McDowell, right, announces he will be attending Michigan State University to play football during a national signing day ceremony at Southfield High School's gym in Southfield, Mich.
Teammates and schoolmates react after Malik McDowell, right, announces he will be attending Michigan State University to play football during a national signing day ceremony at Southfield High School's gym in Southfield, Mich.

COLUMBUS — Coveted defensive lineman Malik McDowell will sign with Michigan State, after all.

Against the public wishes of his parents, the five-star prospect from Southfield, Mich., selected the Spartans over Ohio State and Florida State in a ceremony at his high school today.

For the Buckeyes, the McDowell soap opera — fueled by his parents desire for him to leave behind the distractions of his home state — marked the only drama early on signing day. OSU is expected to sign a 22-member recruiting class ranked among the top five hauls nationally.