King's Corley picks MSU, wants to be two-way player

Detroit King four-star receiver/defensive back Donnie Corley took the spotlight Saturday afternoon in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl at the Alamodome in San Antonio, announcing during a break in the action that he will play his college ball at Big Ten champion Michigan State.

Corley, playing for the West team, hauled in a 39-yard reception from Michigan-bound quarterback Brandon Peters late in the first half, leading to a field goal and a 30-9 halftime lead.

Then, during a break in the third quarter Corley announced he would be playing for the Spartans who are 36-5 the last three seasons, including two Big Ten championships and a College Playoff appearance this past season.

“The next four years I will be attending Michigan State University,” Corley said. “Coach Dantonio told me that I’ll be able to play both ways.”

On Thursday, Corley said he still wasn’t 100 percent sure on his decision, saying Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Tennessee were still in the mix. He had 39 Division 1 offers.

Corley plans on attending college early, enrolling Monday to start the winter semester so he can also participate in spring ball.

Dylan Crawford, a four-star receiver from Rancho Santa Margarita, California, earlier in the game said he was headed to Ann Arbor to play for the Wolverines.

Corley, who was ranked the No. 1 player in the state by The News in the preseason, more than lived up to the billing. He helped King win the Division 2 state championship, grabbing a 39-yard TD reception on the game’s final play at Ford Field for a dramatic 40-38 comeback win over Lowell. He helped the Crusaders come back from a 31-13 second-half deficit with a 25-yard TD reception in the third quarter.

Recruit Corley on his choice: 'I'm still not really sure'

Corley, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound standout, was on just about every national power’s radar after his junior year when he had 62 receptions for 1,100 yards and 16 TDs, also intercepting 11 passes, returning seven for TDs.

Well, Corley earned a spot on The News Dream Team for the second straight year. He had 59 receptions for 1,403 yards and 16 TDs his senior year while getting in on 80 tackles and intercepting 10 passes.

Corley’s teammate, cornerback Lavert Hill did not make his decision Saturday, saying he plans to make it on National Signing Day Feb. 3.

Hill was named the U.S. Army’s National Defensive Player of the Year during a dinner banquet Friday night in San Antonio, Texas. He plans to take an official visit to USC Jan. 15, one to Michigan State Jan. 22 and a final one to Clemson Jan. 29.

Hill, who also had two TD receptions in the state championship game win, said Michigan and Tennessee are also in the mix. Hill’s older brother Delano plays safety for the Wolverines.

david.goricki@detroitnews.com

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