TRAVERSE CITY -- Max Bullough took an unofficial visit to Michigan State on Saturday, then made his decision official soon after.
The St. Francis junior linebacker gave Spartan coach Mark Dantonio and his staff a verbal commitment, becoming Michigan State's first football recruit in its 2010 class.
"When I got down there (for the Iowa game), I felt this is my home, this is where I should be," said Bullough, whose father Shane, grandfather Henry and uncles Chuck Bullough and Bobby Morse played at Michigan State. "I felt more comfortable at Michigan State than I did anywhere else. There's no other way to explain it."
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Bullough also received offers from Notre Dame, UCLA, Iowa and Stanford.
"The universities that showed interest in me, I loved them all," Bullough said. "They were all great. Notre Dame was probably second on my list and they showed a lot of love. I liked going there. I still like Notre Dame. This doesn't take anything away from that."
Bullough's grandfather on his mother's side, Jim Morse, played football for the Irish, as did an uncle.
The 16-year-old Bullough informed his family of his decision at the dinner table Monday evening.
"Maybe subconsciously it (family connections) had something to do with it," Bullough said. "But I just knew. It was 100 percent my decision. It was based on how I felt."
Shane Bullough said his son kept his commitment quiet for a few days so he could contact the other schools.
Shane Bullough said his family did not try to influence Max in any way.
"We tried to make sure Max made this decision on his own," Shane said. "We felt that was important. We all made sure Max understood that wherever he chose to go we were fully supportive of him. It's a great time for him."
Bullough attended camps at Michigan State, Notre Dame and Iowa over the summer. He was at Notre Dame last month for the Michigan game.
Michigan State was first school to offer a scholarship in March.
"Certainly, it's a great feeling knowing your son is going to go and play football where you played in college," Shane said. "But we truly were trying to make sure we stayed away from conversations like that as much as possible through this process.
"He's not going to Michigan State to play for anybody but himself. He needed to realize that, digest that, and I think through these last six months or so he's been able to do that. He's been able to get comfortable with it and understand how much coach Dantonio and the staff want Max Bullough. They're not getting any other Bulloughs. All of our eligibility is gone. They want Max -- and they've wanted him for a long time. They were the first school to offer him a scholarship. He certainly respects the staff there. He's certainly sold on the direction of the program. And more than anything, he feels really comfortable at Michigan State."
So what impressed Bullough at the Iowa game Saturday?
Just about everything.
"The energy of the crowd, the coaches, the warm-ups, the locker room afterwards," he said. "Everything. I said, 'This is where I want go.'"
After talking over his decision with his family Monday, Bullough contacted Michigan State coaches the next day. He said he spoke with Dantonio, defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, linebackers coach Mike Tressel (his primary recruiter) and recruiting coordinator Mark Staten.
"They were happy," he said. "I'm the first guy in 2010 to commit, so maybe I can help (recruit other players)."
Michigan State is off to a 5-1 start this season and the Spartans are enjoying success on the recruiting trail. The 2009 class, although still not complete, is currently ranked No. 14 in the nation by Rivals.com.
"They're having a great year," Bullough said. "I know a few of the guys in the '09 class, and they're great guys, great football players. Hopefully, we're going to be part of a promising future at Michigan State."
Shane Bullough said Max felt "honored" to be recruited by the schools on his list. He said his son realized, no matter where he decided to go, that he would have to work hard to earn playing time.
"Max, although he enjoyed the (recruiting) process, understands that you start off as a freshman at the bottom of the totem pole, and you have to work your way up," Shane said. "Some of the flattering things that are said by coaches were certainly appreciated, but because of his background he understands this is part of the recruiting process and when you do show up on campus you have to earn absolutely everything you get."
Max Bullough said he's relieved the recruiting process is over.
"Now I can focus on what's right in front of me," he said. "We (St. Francis) have a lot to look forward to."
His father agreed.
"He really enjoys high school football," Shane said. "He certainly wants to enjoy that process as much as he can."
St. Francis, 5-1, hosts Harbor Springs tonight at Thirlby Field.
Gladiator coach Greg Vaughan, who previously coached at Division II powerhouse Grand Valley, was excited for Bullough.
"He's a great kid, which in this day and age more colleges are looking at," Vaughan said. "He's a good student, a good kid off the field. On the field, he's a very strong leader. He's only a junior, but it doesn't matter who it is, if he says, 'Hey, you've got to move here on defense,' then you move. He knows what he's talking about."
Vaughan, who was at East Grand Rapids when Kevin Grady was being recruited, called Bullough a "special" player.
"He's tall, he's lean, he's strong and he can move," Vaughan said. "I think one of his biggest attributes, though, is his mind is pretty incredible. He has a knack for the football. He's smart and he works at it."
Vaughan said Bullough doesn't have huge statistics, but that's "misleading."
"People know who he is," Vaughan said. "They're not going to run straight at him in the middle of the formation. Plus, he hasn't been playing the second half the last couple of games."
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