Reality hit Hamp Fay shortly after his parents left.
Fay, a three-star quarterback from Texas and early enrollee in Michigan State’s 2021 recruiting class, was more than 1,000 miles from home and officially a college student on his own.
“Then I think it really kicked in when I had to do my first laundry session,” Fay recalled Wednesday with a laugh. “I had to call mom and make sure I was doing everything correctly.”
Fay is one of four early enrollees in the class, along with East Lansing offensive lineman Ethan Boyd, safety Michael Gravely Jr. from Ohio and tight end Kameron Allen from Texas. Allen graduated high school in December but initially planned on joining the program in the summer. However, when a spot opened up late for him to be an early enrollee, he took it. Just one week later, Allen got his first glimpse of campus when he arrived with his parents on Jan. 17.
“It’s been pretty cool settling in,” Allen said. “Coming from Texas, you don’t see snow every day – that’s a big thing. When I’m walking from my dorm to the facility, it’s snow all on the ground so I think my main thing is probably playing with the snow, kicking it as I’m walking outside and stuff like that.”
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Although Allen committed to the Spartans in April 2020, that was after the NCAA, due to COVID-19, implemented a recruiting dead period that has been continually extended and now lasts through at least April 15. That prevented official visits and led to Allen not seeing his new home until he moved in. Fay, meanwhile, visited Michigan State last March, just before the dead period started. Even though he got a feel for East Lansing last year, he’s still getting adjusted to the change in climate (it’s colder than he expected) and culture.
“I will say that the people are a lot nicer up here,” Fay, from All Saints’ Episcopal School in Fort Worth, said. “I walk down the sidewalk and I won’t even know the person, they say ‘hey, what’s up?’ Just really nice interactions and it just catches me off guard because they’re stopping to say hi to me.”
The four early enrollees are among 10 midyear additions for the Spartans, along with six transfers. Most didn’t meet coach Mel Tucker and his staff in person until the day they moved in.
“It was very exciting to see them for the first time,” Allen said. “When I (saw Tucker and tight ends coach Ted Gilmore) I had a big, happy smile on my face. I know they couldn’t tell because I had my mask on.”
A look at Michigan State football’s 2021 recruiting class and what Mel Tucker said about the players
Allen, a three-star prospect from North Forney High School, established a relationship with Fay before arriving at Michigan State and they’re going through a similar transition. Boyd has also been a resource to lean on in Allen getting more familiar with the area. However, the pandemic has an obvious affect on settling into a new environment.
“It does kind of affect your social group because you’re a freshman, you want to get out and meet new people because you don’t know anybody out here,” Allen said. “With all these COVID rules, it’s kind of hard to go out and process that because you’re not getting to meet these new people, you’re not getting to go sit in the cafe and talk to all these different people, so COVID’s definitely been an impact on that.”
Tucker compared meeting new players for the first time when they arrive on campus to previous experience recruiting international prospects. But, there’s no denying this recruiting cycle has been different than any other.
“Onboarding these guys is very important,” Tucker said. “With (former Michigan State linebacker and current director of player engagement) Darien Harris and all of our departments – recruiting, academics – that first day that they get here, checking into the housing and getting the IDs and campus tours, making sure they know where their resources are. The onboarding process is critically important because you need to get off to a good start, especially academically.”
Michigan State signs 2021 recruiting class but ‘not even close to being done’ adding transfers
Michigan State’s spring semester began Jan. 19 and the team started an eight-week strength and conditioning program on Jan. 25. Both Allen and Fay said the transition has been smooth but there was still an adjustment while being put through the paces under head strength and conditioning coach Jason Novak.
“I did feel sore – I’m not going to lie – but that’s part of it,” Fay said. “Just getting in shape and continuing every day, it was really good getting used to that transition, getting used to the environment.”
In addition to the strength and conditioning program, Michigan State’s early enrollees are now diving into the playbook and going through meetings. They’ll be part of full scheme installations during spring practice, which is scheduled to start March 23, then take part in the summer program ahead of fall camp. Those are benefits of being an early enrollee.
“It helps quite a bit because you get a chance to learn the playbook, you get a chance to get to know the staff, to get indoctrinated to the strength and conditioning program, also nutrition,” Tucker said. “Academically, you get a chance to get your feet on the ground and it’s an opportunity to get off to a great start academically without the pressures of having to play a game. … If you can come here early, you can get a leg up.”
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The Link LonkFebruary 08, 2021 at 06:00PM
https://www.mlive.com/spartans/2021/02/from-fresh-snow-to-dirty-laundry-michigan-state-footballs-early-enrollees-settling-in.html
From fresh snow to dirty laundry, Michigan State football’s early enrollees settling in - MLive.com
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